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Technology and initiative can turn environment greener

ALL GREEN: A LEED Platinum building of CII in Hyderabad (top); A workshop on ‘Environmental Issues in the Construction Industry’ (above left) was organised by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and Enzen Global Solutions in the city. The KSPHC building in Gulbarga (above right) is India’s first LEED-certified green building in the government sector.

The environment is a global concern today. Around the world, pollution levels have reached alarming peaks. The effect is there for all to see. Environmentalists have been warning of the catastrophic effects of high pollution levels. Global warming and the green house effect are already taking a toll on the environment.

Among the different industrial sectors, construction is a significant area on the radars of environmentalists. This sector contributes significantly to the GDP, both directly and indirectly. It employs a large number of workers and is the power behind the economic growth. Construction is a year-round activity and needs to be encouraged. However, this sector also contributes heavily to the pollution levels in the country. Yet, it can easily be made more eco-friendly by introducing better and greener products.

A workshop on ‘Environmental Issues in the Construction Industry’ was organised in Bangalore by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and Enzen Global Solutions, a leading energy and environment consulting firm, to focus on the pressing problem of rising pollution in cities from the construction industry.

H. C. Sharat Chandra, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, said, “Construction activities should be carried out keeping the environment foremost in mind. Water supply and waste water management are the two main criteria for KSPCB to give approval for construction projects, since ground water levels are declining and a lot of new areas do not have a system to drain waste water.” “BBMB’s waste management practices have not been very successful as they have not been commensurate with the realty boom. We could explore private participation in meeting the waste management demands of the city,” he opined.

Some interesting presentations in the workshop showcased the different possibilities.

A presentation on ‘Green buildings and climate’ was made by Naveen G.V., GE Global Research. Naveen defined a green building as one that uses and harvests energy, water, and materials efficiently. It reduces the harmful impact on health and the environment through better site design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal through its lifecycle.

Naveen cited these factors that go into making a building efficient:

• Efficient use of water

• Energy-efficient and eco-friendly equipment

• Use of renewable energy

• Use of recycles and recyclable materials

• Effective use of landscapes

• Effective control and building management system

• Improved indoor air quality for health and comfort

India’s first LEED-certified green building in the government sector: The Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation’s Police Bhavana in Gulbarga, Karnataka, is India’s first green building with LEED certification in the government sector. N.S. Ramesh, Chief Engineer, presented its green features.

Its passive architecture facilitates cooling. An evaporative cooling technique in which outdoor hot air is cooled by cold water is part of the design. The latent heat of air is used to evaporate water, thus cooling the air, which in turn cools the living spaces in the building. Composite stone and rat trap brick masonry sandwiched to insulate the building against heat from solar radiation is another design element for cooling. A roof garden helps control the inside temperature too.

Large windows harvest daylight while a special glass reduces heat. Solar energy runs fans and outside lights, and rainwater harvesting conserves water. Even the furniture is from recycled material.

There is an urgent need to develop sustainable construction models, said S. Shiva Kumar, Senior Consultant, Enzen Global Solutions, in his presentation. He defined sustainable construction as the adoption, design and construction practices that reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants.

Shiva Kumar outlined these negative aspects of construction:

• Consumes roughly 40 per cent of the global energy

• Consumes 25 per cent of timber harvest

• Generates 40 per cent of wastes going to the municipal solid waste disposal

• Requires more than 150 KLD of fresh water for every 1,000 persons

• Generates 50 KLD of sewage for every 1,000 persons

• Causes disturbance to people with high noise from traffic outside

• Reduces aquifer recharge potential

He called for both regulatory and voluntary measures to encourage green buildings. A standard of at least 10-15 per cent energy saving, apart from water conservation, is desirable. It will reduce maintenance costs and improve the health of occupants.

The need of the hour is to reduce green house gases (GHG), said Uma Rajarathnam, Head, Environment Practice, Enzen Global Solutions, in her presentation. Developed countries meet their GHG reduction commitment under the Kyoto protocol by investing (financially or technologically) in projects that reduce GHG emissions in developing countries. Certified Emission Reduction Credits (CERs) called ‘carbon credits’ is the quantum value of GHG in tonnes of carbon dioxide which a project activity or part of project activity could reduce.

There is a need to reduce energy consumed in air conditioning and lighting. This can be done through energy-efficient glazing system, optimisation of glazing area, building insulation, efficient air conditioners, roof gardens and use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

Uma stressed on the need for awareness creation and proactive measures, apart from development of new methodologies.

While the initial costs may seem higher, the long-term benefit is more, she said.

Such workshops throw light on the need for environment-friendly measures in all aspects of industrial development.

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