Kenya Green Building Society’s (KGBS) co-founder Elizabeth Wangeci Chege has been appointed as the Vice Chair of the World Green Building Council (WGBC).
Elizabeth, who is the first Kenyan to hold this position in the Council, was also appointed the Regional Chair of the Africa Regional Network (AfRN).
Elizabeth was among a list of newly appointed officials who were recently announced by the Council’s CEO Cristina Gamboa.
The officials, including members and officers of the Board of Directors, Regional Chairs as well as the new Chair and Vice Chairs of the Corporate Advisory Board will hold office for a maximum term of two to six years.
In her address, Cristina said, “These Directors and Chairs have earned their place as champions of sustainability in the building and construction industry. Their expertise will continue to transform the built environment and help the world to deliver on the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.”
In her maiden address, Elizabeth, who is also the first Kenyan to hold the Regional Chair of the Africa Regional Network position, said her appointment provides the necessary spotlight for African cities and infrastructure that are yet to be built.
“We need to start at zero, this means we must act now by prioritizing people-centric, low carbon, resilient and healthy developments while winding the carbon clock back on the existing built environment.”
Elizabeth continued, “I continue to live by the motto – ‘What we build today will form the Africa of tomorrow’ and with the intentional collaboration we can achieve Sustainable Buildings for Everyone Everywhere.”
Elizabeth was also instrumental in the decree by the State Department of Housing of Kenya that all affordable housing must meet, as a minimum, green building standards by IFC EDGE amongst others.
She has received great accolades in her role as Chair of Kenya Green Building Society including the winner of National Diversity and Inclusion Environmental Conservation Champion DIAR Awards 2019, World Green Building Council Chair’s Award 2019-2020, and Women in Real Estate; Legends & Leaders 2021; Leader in Leadership Award 2021.
