Climate change, depletion of natural resources and accelerated urbanisation driven by population growth are some of the considerable challenges facing our planet. Without a major contribution from the construction and industry sectors, it will be very difficult to mitigate them.

Today, the built environment represents ±30% of total energy consumption and ±40% of GHG emissions. Throughout a building’s life-cycle, there are environmental impacts arising from its construction and operation. If we are to reach the COP 25 international goals, we need to optimise energy efficiency. Locally, this is intensified by energy-supply challenges and a required reduction in energy demand to close the generation gap.

Addressing building efficiency is one of the most affordable ways to reduce emissions, and can provide the greatest relative impact in reducing climate change-causing emissions.

Through Saint-Gobain’s position as an innovator, and thanks to their sustainable materials and solutions, Saint-Gobain can contribute to meeting the challenges facing our sector. How, you may ask? By eco-innovating building renovation and revolutionising construction methods to make them faster, lighter and more resource- efficient.

Locally, through their commitment to continuous innovation, Saint-Gobain has re-engineered their system solutions to support a decarbonised built environment. Building better for people and the planet through offerings that range from RhinoBoard® EcoTech^TM plasterboard, Aerolite® Soft Touch ceiling insulation, more sustainably produced tiling fixing and flooring solutions from Weber Tylon® to the a.b.e.® water-based PU Liquid Rubber.

Through digital innovation, Saint-Gobain is helping construction professionals to seamlessly integrate their sustainable solutions into the design and construction processes. BIM files are easily accessible via the Saint-Gobain BIM Library. Considering improving the performance and comfort of existing buildings? Explore Saint-Gobain’s interactive Renovation, Maintenance and Improvement (RMI) guide accessible via the Design and Specification Tools portal. The interactive Saint-Gobain Ceiling Solutions Guide provides a user-driven experience, enabling the selection of a ceiling system based on your specific criteria. For quantity surveyors, Saint-Gobain has developed Saint-Gobain Gyproc and Isover drywall and ceiling system specifications in a BOQ format on WinQS.

Specificers can find updated Gyproc and Isover drywall and ceiling specifications on Autospec.

Everything Saint-Gobain Africa does is guided by the company’s purpose: Making the world a better home. For Saint-Gobain Africa’s construction businesses, this translates into a strategic commitment and concrete actions, which include being at their customers’ and clients’ side to help them innovate and design, construct and renovate better buildings that reduce impacts on our planet, enhance people’s health and wellbeing and deliver reduced costs and increased value; providing customers and clients with innovative solutions to improve performance and support the sustainability journey; advocating for building better to accelerate the market transformation. Thanks to Saint-Gobain’s 350-year-long history and the synergies between its various businesses, specialist brands and skills, Saint-Gobain strives to be your preferred partner who cares about building better.