Green building commitments, great or small, are incredibly important for this industry to undertake in order to safeguard the environmental future of our planet.
They are also a key to solving major issues that will arise once our unsustainable natural resources, upon which we rely heavily, run out.
When dealing with the world’s super-populations though, the impact of green building efforts is far larger, with results maximised. For this reason, when China recently reconfirmed its green building commitment ,the global green building community expected to see major results. Now that India has done the same, these results are predicted to be even greater.
While the country has listed 200 buildings under their Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) system, a majority of these are in major cities such as Mumbai and Delhi. Different green building entities are now moving forward and expanding green development further, with the city of Ranchi the next in line to undertake a number of energy efficient projects.
R S Prasad, a consultant with the Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitats (aDaRSH) in India has praised the city for its foreword thinking mentality.
“It is extraordinary that Ranchi has shown interest in developing green and eco-friendly habitats,” says Prasad. “Green and sustainable buildings are required for healthy living in Jharkhand.”
The city’s Central Institute of Psychiatry Kanke, the National Law University and the Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) are among a growing number of buildings being completed with energy efficiency and environmental responsibility at their foundation.
The last of these developments has just applied for a four-star GRIHA rating. The development will focus on implementing energy efficiency strategies, such as energy efficient lighting, air-conditioning and waste management in addition to the use of renewable energy sources.
The Indian industry is promoting the strong links between health and well-being and sustainability, and aiming to reduce pollution and promote health by implementing these building strategies.
“Eco-friendly environment and green campus will make our students more mentally agile,” says DK Khating, CUJ’s Vice-Chancellor. “The polluted environment has a bearing on students’ concentration and overall learning.”
Future plans to solidify India’s green building commitments include a standard for central government buildings, all of which much have at least a three-star rating, which will also be extended to the public sector.
“The Central government buildings and PSUs are showing an interest in the process,” says a GRIHA official. “After they are GRIHA rated, all such buildings will be using less energy but will continue to provide equal comfort.”
India’s top-down approach to green building is expected to see a massive growth in the sector. With such a high population and large industry, the results of these initiatives are sure to be notable.
