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GREEN BUILDINGS

Green buildings refer to environmentally sustainable buildings, buildings which do not utilise traditional resources that contribute to or increase pollution and the construction and subsequent operation minimises waste generation while maximising on sustainable practices.

The energy requirement of a building that we live or work in is around 40% (developed country) of the total energy consumption. The construction of a building is itself energy intensive. So green building is a concept that aims at minimising wasteful activities and promotes environmentally favourable technologies right from construction to the subsequent maintenance of such buildings.

A green building uses renewable energy resources such as solar power, is equipped with energy saving appliances, has systems integrated for the conservation of energy and water; it thus provides a congenial living environment.

According to the Indian Green Building Council, “A green building is one which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building.” Green Building's material selection

The IGBC website shows 163 certified buildings in India currently. The Indian Green Building Council was established in 2001. With the Indian construction industry growing at more than 10% per annum, it can ideally take advantage of the impetus and promote green buildings. The IGBC along with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has also prepared the Green SEZ Guidelines.

India is already a member of the World Green Building Council- a union of national green building councils with eleven other nations.

The concept of green buildings is increasing in popularity and many cities and towns across the world are moving towards appropriate framework and policies to promote green buildings. Besides their environmental aspect, green buildings are also significant in their contribution to direct and indirect job creation in new areas of manufacturing, design, certification, maintenance, installation and also innovation and selling of new products and technology.

World’s First Green Legislative Assembly is in Chennai: The Tamil Nadu legislative assembly is built incorporating green building principles. It is the largest green building (government) in India to have achieved prestigious status of Green Building Certification (Gold rating under LEED India).

There are also some intangible and unseen benefits of green buildings by way of increased productivity of workers due to better and aesthetically improved living and working environment.

Some of the rating systems for green buildings are given below:

  1. LEED System (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), North America
  2. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) , UK
  3. Green Star. Australia
  4. Green Globes, in 2005 by the Green Building Initiative
  5. GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment), first developed by TERI in India

Reference and further reading: MNRE

Article by Mr. Puskar Pande

Green Buildings – Growing but need acceleration

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