The Hindu Business Line : Green Building Congress launches LEED

The Indian Green Business Council (IGBC) has decided to incorporate indigenous norms and conditions for certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programme to give a fillip to the Green Building movement in the country.

LEED, a voluntary national standard, was initially based on the precepts of US LEED, which was gradually adopted by other countries.

LEED India was formally launched here on Friday at the annual Green Building Congress. It would adopt a number of Indian codes and standards such as National Building Code, guidelines of the Environment and Forests Ministry, Central Pollution Control Board norms and the Energy Conservation Building Codes of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

Mr ParasSuraman R., Chairman of IGBC and Vice-Chairman of World GBC, said indigenisation of LEED had become imperative because of variance in conditions such as climate and other parameters.

Within four years of the Green Building movement, India has become among the frontline countries such as the US, Australia and Canada in adopting the concept, he said, adding about Rs 2,000-crore worth of green projects were expected to be completed by next year.

Facing challenges

However, he said the Green Buildings movement had to overcome certain challenges such as dominance of large unorganised sector hindering adoption of the concept, additional capital cost and capacity building for it to become a mass movement.

IGBC would also seek the State Government's leadership by introducing the `green building ' concept in its buildings followed by extending incentives such as reduction in property tax and energy and water charges for people adopting it.

Mr Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO, said, "There is a need for us to have higher growth rates without depriving future generation of natural resources and a healthy environment. Hence technology is going to be the key driver in future for achieving sustainable development.''

Higher growth rate

Mr Jamshyd N. Godrej, Chairman, CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Building Centre, said to garner the status as a developed country by the year 2020, there was a need for achieving higher growth rate than eight per cent.

He said the CII had outlined a new initiative called `Mission for sustainable growth'.

More Stories on : Real Estate & Construction | Environment | Tamil Nadu

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page