Tag: water scarcity

In an era of unprecedented environmental and operational challenges, South Africa's office parks stand at a critical juncture. Energy insecurity, water scarcity and ageing municipal infrastructure are no longer distant concerns but immediate challenges that demand innovative solutions.

While Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) mammoth energy requirements have been widely publicised, its water footprint receives far less attention. World Water Day, celebrated on 22 March 2025, provides an opportunity to highlight AI’s lesser-known environmental impact - its water usage.

The real estate industry has undergone a profound transformation over the past two decades and, as a result, the landscape that real estate professionals navigate today bears little resemblance to the one of even a decade ago.

The concept of sustainability is considered differently for developing countries versus developed countries. Developed economies tend to look at sustainability with a significant focus towards environmental impact and preservation. In contrast, developing countries consider sustainability from a socio-economic perspective, which includes infrastructure-related challenges, for example.

Last year was a year of climate carnage in Africa. At least 15,700 people lost their lives to extreme weather disasters, according to the latest report from Carbon Brief, while another 34 million have been affected.

Sustainability has become a major investment focus. News headlines frequently point to how investors are sidestepping old energy sources such as coal, favouring greener and more sustainable alternatives. According to the US Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF), the size of the US sustainable investment since 1995 has increased more than 25-fold, today totalling portfolios worth $16.6 trillion.