Urgent need for policy framework to accelerate the adoption of green buildings

At a event recently, Ashish Kumar Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, Government of Maharashtra, said, “The need of the hour is to create a policy framework, which will further accelerate the adoption of green buildings. PWD has notified that upcoming government buildings in Maharashtra will adopt IGBC Green Building Standards. Going forward, existing buildings in the State will be retrofitted to become green buildings.” Ar Tai Lee Siang, Chair, World Green Building Council, said that, “India has made its mark as the leader in the global green building movement and it should play an important role in taking forward the global green building movement. By 2050, 100 per cent buildings should be net zero,” he underlined. Dr Prem C Jain, Chairman, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), said that, “Over 3,800 green building projects are currently registered with IGBC, amounting to over 4.45 billion sq ft of green building footprint. Today, India stands no. 2 in the world in terms of largest registered green building footprint. IGBC’s vision is to facilitate 10 billion sq ft of green building footprint by 2022.” Gurmit Singh Arora, Co-Chair IGBC Mumbai Chapter, said, “India is in an excellent position to redefine the course and strategy of the green building movement. Maharashtra will continue to play an important role in the promotion of Green buildings”, he added. During the event, signing of MoUs with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to incorporate IGBC’s Green MRTS Rating System for metro design and construction also took place. IGBC will support DMRC by providing soft and technical support, associated and aligned with IGBC Green Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) for designing metro rail systems of DMRC. The following new Green Building Rating Systems were launched: IGBC Green Existing MRTS Rating IGBC Green Health Care Facilities Rating IGBC Green Villages Rating