Romilly Madew, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, has been awarded the prestigious World Green Building Council Chairman’s Award for her work around the world improving and promoting sustainable building.

The WorldGBC Chairman’s Award honours those who have worked to transform the global property and construction industry. Madew was selected as this year’s winner for her tireless commitment to sustainability, and her inspirational leadership.

Madew received the award from Tai Lee Siang, WorldGBC Chairman, at a ceremony in Jaipur, India, last night.

“I am truly inspired by the individual contribution Romilly has made to the green building movement for over a decade," said  Siang. 

"Not only has she been instrumental in transforming Australia’s building industry through her leadership of the Green Building Council of Australia, but she has also played a vital role at the global level.”

Madew has led the GBCA for more than a decade, and represents more than 650 companies with a combined annual turnover of more than $40 billion. Under her leadership, the GBCA has certified more than 1,715 sustainable buildings, communities, and fitouts through the Green Star rating system. 

These buildings consume 62 per cent less energy than non-Green Star-rated buildings, emit 66 per cent fewer greenhouse gases, and use 51 per cent less water. They are also healthier and more productive places – evidence shows that Green Star buildings can increase productivity by up to 15 per cent.

Madew's work means that 37 per cent of Australia's office space has Green Star certification. Schools, hospitals, libraries, community centres, apartments, industrial facilities, and the Sydney Opera House have Green Star ratings. More than 1.3 million people visit a Green Star-rated shopping centre each day, and 42,000 live in Green Star-rated apartments.

Madew has been instrumental in establishing several green building councils, including in New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. She has also spent years on the WorldGBC Board of Directors, and helped establish the Asia Pacific Green Building Network.
 
“This award also acknowledges Romilly’s efforts to champion equality and diversity throughout the green construction industry,” said Siang.

Accepting the award, Madew said she was honoured to play a role in shaping the world’s greenest real estate sector.

“Just last month, GRESB, the global real estate sustainability benchmark, ranked Australia the global green leader for the seventh year in a row," she said.

“This award acknowledges the leadership of our industry, which is committed to delivering enduring value to communities and investors while creating a better future for us all.”

In 2015, Madew won the prestigious International Leadership Award from the US Green Building Council at the Greenbuild Conference in Washington DC.

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