Mainstreaming Green Buildings in Senegal

Senegal is urbanizing rapidly, similar to many countries in Africa. Reducing the environmental impacts from buildings through promoting green buildings is an essential step towards ensuring the urbanization is sustainable. GGGI supports the Government of Senegal in preparing the industry for mainstreaming green buildings within the operating context of the Senegalese environment. Ongoing government initiatives on constructing new urban centers and mass housing programs are supported. This project works with stakeholders across the building value chain to support the mainstreaming of green building principles across the industry in Senegal. The objective of this project is to promote low carbon urban development through reducing the environmental impacts from the buildings and construction. Key components of this project include: 1. Policy advisory tools including industry readiness assessment to support decision making towards creating a supporting regulatory environment for greening of buildings and industry construction practices. 2. Capacity strengthening for public officials, SMEs, industry professionals, academics and financiers. 3. Building value chain coordination from material producers to designers, builders, developers financiers and research institutions to address gaps and challenges for green buildings. 4. Technical support for public demonstration projects. In 2019, the general industry readiness for green buildings in Senegal was assessed through a series of multi-stakeholder consultations as well as a review of relevant policies and laws. Most public and private sector stakeholders expressed strong interest in implementing green buildings in Senegal, particularly during this period of rapid urbanization and growth. Technical, financial and institutional capacity gaps were often listed as key barriers to this. An assessment report has been consolidated and presented to the Government of Senegal at the end of 2019. The report also includes a list of recommendations and roadmap towards mainstreaming of green buildings in the country. The next phase of the project will include planning together with government partners on the implementation of the roadmap and recommendations in the report. Project activities in 2020 will be shaped by government priorities and discussions around the report recommendations. Key recommendations from initial assessment include: 1. Policy development to create a regulatory framework for green buildings, 2. Capacity building across the sector, 3. Awareness raising on green buildings and their benefits, 4. Delivery of green building demonstration projects, 5. Develop the required material supply chain, 6. Facilitate access to finance for green buildings and 7. Create avenues for private sector and academia to engage actively in shaping green buildings in Senegal.