Now, a green rating system for ‘Net Zero Energy’ buildings

The Indian Green Building Council has come out with Net Zero Energy Buildings rating system in collaboration with the World Green Building Council and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The rating system, launched during the 16th Green building Congress 2018 here, seeks to complement the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency and the National Solar Mission.

‘Net Zero’

IGBC plans to promote the concept of ‘Net Zero’ in India. Under this initiative, the focus is reducing the annual energy consumption by 40-50 per cent with respect to national baseline and cut down energy cost by about 30 per cent.

On October 31, IGBC launched ‘Green Building Rating System for Hill Habitas.

Focus on 4,500 cities, towns

Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, said, “While we are all celebrating India’s presence among the top five nations in terms of green building footprint, we should have a larger target. India’s 4,500 cities and towns must all be green for India to grow in a sustainable fashion. The government, the building sector, and stakeholders must all work together to provide green solutions.” “The growth of urbanisation in India will only increase,” he said.

“By 2030, 40 per cent of our population will be living in cities and by 2050, this will rise to 50 per cent. Therefore, it becomes imperative to plan and conceive these cities as green, right from the initial stages.” Lisa Bate, Chair of the Board, World Green Building Council, said: “On a global scale, buildings today produce 33 per cent of GHG emissions and consume 40 per cent of energy. Two to five times more pollutants are found inside buildings compared to the outdoors. The World Green Business Council is working on creating better places for people, shifting the spotlight from buildings to occupants. This approach can lead to tremendous benefits in the productivity and health of people.”

V Suresh, Chairman, IGBC said: “IGBC has facilitated 6.33 billion sq ft of green footprint, which has put India tall amongst nations pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals. The Council would work to achieve 10 billion sq ft by 2022, when India turns 75.”

The Minister later inaugurated a three-day exhibition showcasing over 100 green building products and technologies.

Prem C Jain, the immediate past chair of IGBC, was recognised with the ‘Hall of Fame Award’ for his contribution to the green building movement.