“We need to shift the goalposts.” That was the brief.

When this project kicked off in early 2023, the challenge was clear: Net Zero Water had historically been achieved through modelling. Achieving it through measured operational performance in real conditions, over time, was widely considered too complex to even consider.

Introducing a borehole into that equation only heightened the complexity. Groundwater abstraction is often viewed with caution in sustainability frameworks, frequently categorised as finite or inherently unsustainable. The prevailing assumption was that it could not credibly form part of a Net Zero Water strategy, simply because that’s what the industry accepted.

We chose to test that assumption.

Over nearly two years, the team worked to secure what has not previously been achieved in South Africa: a fully measured Net Zero Water certification in operation, with an on-site borehole formally recognised as a renewable water source under defined conditions.

This outcome was the result of measured evidence. The submission process required extensive engagement with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), including multiple rounds of technical clarification. At its core was a commitment to move beyond theoretical modelling and demonstrate, through operational data, that groundwater abstraction on site can be responsibly managed within the natural cycle of aquifer recharge.

To do so required rigorous hydrogeological assessment, establishment of a defensible sustainable yield, and implementation of structured monitoring and governance systems. Abstraction volumes were capped in line with defined thresholds. Groundwater levels were tracked against baseline conditions, accounting for seasonal variability and rainfall patterns. Clear management triggers were embedded to ensure that any deviation would prompt corrective action.

In short, sustainability was not assumed; it was measured, verified, and actively managed.

The question we ultimately addressed was not whether groundwater abstraction is renewable in theory, but whether it can be demonstrably sustainable in practice. By aligning operational controls, professional oversight, regulatory compliance, and transparent data management, we established a framework that satisfied that test.

Including the borehole significantly increased the technical scrutiny applied to the project. It required demonstrating that abstraction would not result in progressive depletion, that surrounding users and ecological systems would not be negatively affected, and that governance mechanisms would remain in place beyond initial certification.

But we know that complexity drives innovation.

What emerged is a measurable methodology that strengthens how renewable water sources can be evaluated in future Net Zero submissions. The project helps move the industry forward from reliance on predictive modelling toward operational accountability grounded in data.

It meant challenging long-held assumptions with science.
It meant accepting additional scrutiny rather than avoiding it.
It means building systems that are resilient over time.

This project represents a meaningful milestone. It required persistence, technical depth, collaboration across disciplines, and a willingness to engage in repeated refinement. The process was rigorous and at times demanding, but ultimately transformative.

The result is an industry first for South Africa: operational Net Zero Water, achieved through measured performance, with groundwater responsibly incorporated under clearly defined and defensible criteria.

If this was once considered out of reach, this project demonstrates that with disciplined governance and sustained commitment, it is not only achievable – it is repeatable.

The post DSM-Firmenich achieves Net Zero Water (Measured) rating appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Photo credit: Marc Sherratt Sustainability Architects

Embarking on Ecological Restoration

The journey of this project began with the intention of reversing local extinction through sustainable architecture. The brief called for a locally indigenous landscape that achieved the GBCSA’s Net Positive Ecology rating for an existing site. As the team at MSSA embarked on their endeavour, they were cognisant that landscaping played a pivotal role in achieving this mission. The project sought to transform the dsm-firmenich headquarters’ landscape into a thriving ecosystem that could help regenerate the endangered Egoli Granite Grassland vegetation type, which once covered substantial portions of Johannesburg’s northern suburbs.

The Egoli Granite Grassland represents a critically endangered ecosystem, a remnant of a once-vast natural landscape that has been dwindling due to urbanisation and human activity. The project’s goal was to revive this ecosystem within the urban fabric, bridging the gap between nature and human development. The rating required that approximately 15% of the site be regenerated, the equivalent of just over 1,500m².

Photo credit: Marc Sherratt Sustainability Architects

Innovative Design and Client Collaboration

The design incorporated over 140 different locally indigenous species, totalling more than 4,000 individual plants. This diversity aimed not only to reverse local extinction but also to create a resilient ecosystem that could provide habitat and sustenance for a variety of local species. The project is testament to the potential of indigenous landscaping, debunking the myth that there are limited options for incorporating native plants in urban settings.

The transformation, however, was not merely aesthetic. South African grasslands, characterised by their unique appearance and seasonal variations, were to be revitalised. The landscape design emphasised diversity over aesthetics, challenging conventional notions of beauty in landscaping.

Photo credit: Marc Sherratt Sustainability Architects

The client’s commitment was important, as maintaining the landscape’s health requires ongoing efforts to prevent invasive species from encroaching on the native vegetation. Aside from aesthetics, with this type of project having very little financial incentive, the human aspect of better health is really the only inspiration, so having an open-minded client was refreshing.

Says Marc Sherratt, Sustainability Architect and Managing Director at MSSA, “One of the project’s highlights was the innovative spirit of the client, dsm-firmenich. Often, sustainability initiatives can be perceived as burdensome, but in this case, the client embraced innovation wholeheartedly. This mindset paved the way for the project’s success, demonstrating that environmentally conscious choices can also be aligned with business goals.”

Photo credit: Marc Sherratt Sustainability Architects

Transforming Urban Spaces with a view to the Future

The project was not without its challenges. As with any ambitious endeavour, obstacles had to be overcome. Weeds posed a threat to the newly established native landscape, necessitating regular maintenance to ensure their control. The process also demanded a delicate balance between respecting the site’s history and transforming it into a thriving habitat.

The certification underscores the value of high diversity, locally indigenous landscaping in urban environments. It challenges the conventional practice of relegating landscaping to leftover spaces and limited budgets, showcasing the potential of cities as sanctuaries for endangered wildlife.

“We are proud to have worked with MSSA in accomplishing this achievement, which has far-reaching implications, not only for the client but for the entire green building industry and the cause of reversing local extinction,” says Marloes Reinink, Director at Solid Green Consulting.

The success of the project, which took approximately 12 months from concept to certification, lays the groundwork for future phases and similar initiatives, demonstrating that even in an urban landscape, a connection to nature can be rekindled. The research and reporting methods employed in this project will be shared in the Ecological Regeneration credit of the Green Star SA New Buildings rating tool, providing guidance for future landscape designers.

Looking ahead, this certification’s impact on the green building industry could be transformative. It accentuates the importance of quantifiable sustainability measures in an era where greenwashing has become a concern. As the private sector takes on a greater role in conservation efforts, this project shows how seemingly simple interventions like urban landscaping can contribute significantly.

Photo credit: Marc Sherratt Sustainability Architects

Fostering a Paradigm Shift through Collective Responsibility

In our endeavours to reverse local extinction, this is an important project. It challenges us to reimagine our cities as interconnected ecosystems, where human progress harmonises with nature’s rhythms. The efforts of MSSA and dsm-firmenich remind us of our collective responsibility not only as Solid Green, but as custodians of the Earth, urging us to create urban environments that not only sustain human life but also celebrate and support the myriad species that share our planet.

Carbon, Water, Waste and Ecology are the four net positive categories that dsm-firmenich is targeting and the fact that this is the first certification for the site makes it special to the team. This is more than a certification; it’s proof of the importance of collaboration, innovation, and commitment to a sustainable future. As it stands, this project has created not just a physical landscape, but an example of how urban ecological regeneration can be achieved.

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