The Hindu Business Line : ‘India can emerge as green buildings hub’

Chennai, Sept. 20 India can emerge as a hub of green buildings construction and play a significant role in the region in encouraging environment-friendly construction, according to Mr Kevin Hydes, Chairman, World Green Building Council.

Addressing the inaugural of the Green Building Congress 2007 organised by the CII today, he said that after recognising the role of transport sector and industry in pollution, there is now increased awareness of the impact of buildings in contributing to climate change and global warming.

Buildings, especially in urban centres, account for a third of carbon emission.

The council, which has its secretariat in Toronto, “is in a hurry” to enhance awareness and encourage green buildings – buildings that use less power and water and provide more natural lighting and fresh air as compared to conventional buildings.

Green buildings now save on at least a third of the power and water and emit 35 per cent less carbon dioxide.

The value is in providing a safe and healthy environment.

Over 100 million people are involved in the construction industry globally and the industry is estimated at about $4.6 trillion and contributes to about 10 per cent of the global GDP.

‘Green businesses’ are outperforming others, he said.

Dr Prem C. Jain, Chairman, CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, said that from about 16,000 sq ft of green building space in 2003, when the only green building was the centre’s own facility in Hyderabad, India now has over 25 million sq ft of registered green building space.

This is set to increase to over 100 million sq ft by 2010-12.

At the congress, CII released the LEED India Core and Shell rating system for green buildings.

IT parks and commercial buildings can register for rating, which is based on the US Green Building Council, which has been indigenised to suit local conditions.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Controls Corporation, part of Honeywell International, announced the launch of its products at the congress.

The US-based Phoenix manufactures equipment that control air flow, temperature and humidity in buildings.

Its products will be marketed in India by Environmental and Combustion Controls, a subsidiary of Honeywell International.

Mr Christopher Robertson, Vice-President, Worldwide Sales and Business Development, told Business Line that the company would target pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

He said that the company’s products would help pharma companies achieve environmental standards necessary for getting the plants approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

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