Taking green to the world

The chief executive of the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC), Jane Henley, is to become chief executive of the World Green Building Council in April but will remain based in New Zealand. The appointment comes four years after Henley played an instrumental role in establishing the New Zealand body. Council Chairman Rob Lang says she had made an outstanding contribution to the rapid adoption of green building practices in New Zealand.

"In a short time New Zealand has gone from having no framework for green building design and construction to an established and widely supported system that has increased the sustainability of new and existing buildings."

"A large part of this can be attributed to the commitment and drive Jane brought to the role of CEO and she no doubt will make an even more impressive impact on the world stage."

He says Henley leaves the NZGBC in good heart, with more than 400 member companies, five Green Star NZ rating tools and 33 certified projects. The key to the organisation's growth and the rapid adoption of green building practices within New Zealand buildings had been seeking the involvement of the property industries in every process, from project conception, to development, testing and ultimately employing Green Star rating tools.

"There has been a considerable investment by a large number of organisations," Lang says. "It's clear there will be strong medium and long term benefits for all, including reduced energy costs, greater staff wellness and productivity, improved tenanting prospects and improved future proofing."

He says a key focus for the council over the coming 12 months will be to encourage "retrofitting" of existing buildings for higher levels of environmental performance, and introducing a residential rating tool.

"By starting with new building design and build, we have effectively been targeting lower hanging fruit. We now have the challenge, and the extraordinary opportunity, to help lift the environmental performance of buildings right across the board," Lang says.