States agree to follow green construction norms in urban areas

States have broadly agreed to ensure compliance with the proposed environmental guidelines for construction projects in urban areas stating that the stipulations are feasible for implementation.

A broad consensus in this regard emerged at a workshop on "Climate Change mitigation in Urban Sector organized by the Urban Development Ministry with all the stakeholders. Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change made a detailed presentation on Environmental Guidelines for Buildings containing about 30 parameters to be complied with for efficient management of energy, water, land, solid waste, air quality and noise levels during pre-construction, construction and <g data-gr-id="30">post construction</g> period.

The workshop organized on Monday aimed to sensitize the States and other stakeholders to the need for green construction in view of the fact that building sector consumes 40 per cent of electricity generated in the country, 30 per cent of raw materials and 20 per cent each of water and land resources besides generating 30 per cent of solid waste and 20 per cent of effluents.

A broad consensus has emerged that at least one per cent of connected applied load of power shall be met from renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic cells or wind mills or hybrid mode and all common area lighting must be of LED/Solar lights. It was agreed upon that energy meters must be installed to measure over all energy consumption and regular energy audit should be carried out through energy auditors certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

As per the consensus, one tree shall be planted for every 100 <g data-gr-id="17">sq</g> mt of land area. When trees are to be cut or transplanted, compensatory plantation of 3 trees for every cut to be ensured.