The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has launched an initiative to bring existing buildings under the green fold. A new code has been developed for the purpose. Existing non-residential buildings including office buildings, IT parks, Business Process Outsourcing companies, shopping malls, hotels, hospitals, airports and banks could be considered for conversion into green buildings.
Green practices in building construction and maintenance have been gaining wider acceptance in the wake of increased awareness of energy conservation.
The new code has been brought in with a view to address issues such as water efficiency, energy efficiency, handling of waste and conserving natural resources.
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The IGBC Green Existing Building O&M Rating System can enhance occupant health, happiness and well-being, a spokesman of the council said.
A separate module called ‘health and comfort’ has been included, to address health and wellbeing needs of occupants in the buildings.
IGBC claims that by applying IGBC Green Existing Building O&M criteria, existing buildings can be sustainable over the life cycle of the building. The new code helps reduce the environmental impacts, which are measurable.
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The rating is applicable to both air-conditioned and non-air conditioned buildings and is designed to suit all building types in all climatic zones.
For residential and factory buildings, IGBC’s existing ratings can be applied. For energy related aspects, Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) or the Energy Performance Index (EPI) as recommended by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), is the reference standard.
IGBC has been pioneering the green building services to provide international ratings through standard methodologies for new constructions.