UCT Sustainability and the SDGs 2022 - Magazine - Page 22
SDG 9
INDUSTRY, INNOVATION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE
As a leading research university in Africa, for Africa, UCT
for new buildings, with the 6-Star Green Star designation
is committed to driving innovation, advancing science
representing world leadership in sustainability, according to
and developing sustainable infrastructure that supports
the GBCSA.
inclusive economic growth.
While no new buildings were built in 2024, there are several
that are in their planning stages, all targeting green building
certi昀椀cation, including the Nelson Mandela Memorial Centre
Institutional initiatives
& Public School of Governance on Upper Campus, the Arise
Building on the health sciences campus, the refurbished
Greening our campus buildings
Library and the Green Precinct Water Recycling Facility,
In recognition that at UCT about 50% to 60% of the carbon
which is targeting a 4-Star Green Star certi昀椀cation and
footprint is from building energy consumption, green
several Zero ratings from the GBCSA.
buildings on campus are a high priority for the university’s
environmental sustainability strategy.
UCT’s Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika (d-school Afrika), one
of three in the world, was in 2024 awarded its second 6-Star
Green Star rating, this time in the as-built category, from the
Supporting innovation and industry
UCT’s Research Contracts and
Innovation (RC&I) of昀椀ce plays a central
role in advancing innovation, industry
partnerships and entrepreneurship.
It supports researchers and students
to translate their ideas into products,
services, and start-ups that drive social
and economic impact.
RC&I has helped launch more than 40
spin-off companies, creating hundreds
of jobs and fostering new industries
in 昀椀elds ranging from health and
biotechnology to renewable energy
and education technology. Through
initiatives like the Evergreen Fund and
University Technology Fund, RC&I
nurtures early-stage innovation, ensuring
UCT’s discoveries contribute to a more
sustainable, knowledge-based economy.
project construction documentation, applying the Green Star
through its pioneering work in innovative 昀椀nance. Through
targeted initiatives, strategic partnerships and knowledgesharing platforms, the centre continues to help shape the
landscape of impact investing, outcomes-based 昀椀nancing
and 昀椀nancial solutions aligned with with the SDGs.
In 2024, the Bertha Centre continued its expansion of
its 昀氀agship Impact Investing in Africa course. A signi昀椀cant
milestone was the launch of the course in Nairobi, Kenya,
marking its 昀椀rst entry in East Africa.
The course attracted participants from Africa and Europe
representing various sectors, including senior advisory roles,
takeaways from the course highlighted the role of innovative
Last year, the d-school Afrika received top recognition from
after the GBCSA’s independent review of the completed
Graduate School of Business, is helping to bridge this gap
investment analysis and programme management. Key
Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA).
the GBCSA in the design category. The rating was awarded
for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, based at UCT’s
Community engagement
昀椀nance instruments in supporting African entrepreneurs and
the importance of catalytic capital in driving systemic change.
These offerings will continue to strengthen capacity within
Mobilising 昀椀nance for African Innovation
the sector and encourage collaboration among impact
The d-school Afrika remains the 昀椀rst academic building
Access to 昀椀nance remains one of the greatest barriers facing
investment practitioners, reinforcing 昀椀nancial innovation as
on the African continent to achieve this prestigious rating
African innovators and entrepreneurs. The Bertha Centre
a driver of sustainable impact.
Public and Education Building v1 standard.
44 - Sustainability and the SDGs 2024
Sustainability and the SDGs 2024 – 45
