Rajendra Pachauri bats for ‘green’ housing

There is an institutional gap in rural areas, and thus it is difficult to implement the green rating for integrated habitat assessment (Griha) scheme in those areas, said Nobel prize laureate Rajendra Pachauri, who is also director of The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri).

He was talking to media persons on Wednesday after a meeting with Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (Credai) members on environmental issues and eco-housing. Griha is a national rating system for green buildings in the country, approved by the Union ministry of new and renewable energy.

“Apparently, 40% of emissions are from buildings and 60% of the waste is generated from buildings and related materials. Therefore, it is important to have eco-friendly constructions
to avert major climate changes,” Pachauri said.

Interestingly, there are 20 buildings in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad areas that are being built up as per Griha norms. Though none of the constructions from these cities has received a Griha certificate so far, they have adopted the norms, he added.

While talking to the media, he said that Teri was working on a project to establish impact of climate change on Maharashtra. Since it is a coastal state, it is vulnerable to major climate changes.  “Actually, two years ago, Teri had suggested to the state government steps to save this coastal state from major climate changes. The project will be completed in a year’s time,” he said.

The project will envisage impact of climate change on agriculture, food, water, health and other aspects, he said.

Contribution from local authorities and the state government is extremely necessary to tackle the problem, he said. Besides Maharashtra, projects for West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh are also in the pipeline.

Griha norms are mandatory for government buildings in Kerala and Karanataka, while in Delhi it is mandatory for government as well as private sector buildings, he said. Currently, 160 projects have been undertaken on 7.5 million square feet as per Griha norms.