Call for energy-efficient buildings

.KOCHI: Incorporating energy-efficiency measures in buildings has the potential to save up to 50 per cent energy, since buildings are responsible for 40 per cent of the total greenhouse gas emissions. For existing buildings, the savings potential through alterations and energy-efficient fittings is between 20 and 25 per cent. Even non air-conditioned buildings can go green, by making optimal use of wind and daylight and by adopting other environment-friendly measures. These were stated at �Go Green � a seminar-cum-exhibition on green buildings, organized here on Friday by the Rotary Club of Thripunithura and KREEPA, as part of their Akshaya Vikas Project. Making a presentation, Siva Kishan, chief executive officer of GRIHA � Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (which is the national rating system for green buildings), said the Energy Conservation Building Code regulates the usage of power in new buildings. �Green-rating mechanisms have been able to sensitize the construction industry to the benefits of integrated design and resource efficiency, from both the economic and environmental perspective. A rating system for India must respond to the countrys diversity and help develop sensible solutions relevant to different building projects.�