Environment and Building

Notes on Workshop “Green Buildings : Striding Towards Environment Protection and Clearance” held in IHC New Delhi on 18/19 April 2008

The aim of seminar was to arrive at relevant recommendations to be forwarded to MoEF after all related issues have been discussed and debated by the participants.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF Government of India) vide their order dated 14 Sep 2006 (http://envfor.nic.in/legis/eia/so1533.pdf) has made environmental clearance (EC) necessary for Building and construction Projects having area more than 20000 sq meters (Built up area more than 150,000 sq meters).

Below two excerpts from code are related to Glass:

9.3. What are the characteristics of the glass you plan to use? Provide specifications of its characteristics related to both short wave and long wave radiation?

9.11. If you are using glass as wall material provides details and specifications including emissivity and thermal characteristics.

Building bye-laws is a State subject in our country. To implement above (EC), State level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) are being constituted in every state which will decide on projects submitted by Projects Proponent. The SEIAA shall base its decision on the recommendations of a State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).

In the seminar, many stake holders shared their views. These stake holders included members from Building Industry and members of SEIAA and SEAC from various states.

(Chairman, CREDAI & CMD of Gera Developments Pune) stated that at this time it may be apt to call ‘India – under construction’. He expressed concern that more than 1000 projects are pending with SEACs for clearance and this delay is causing project costs to go up which are finally borne by end user; leading to inflationary pressure on economy. He said there should be no issue of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ and all stakeholders should be on same side.

(Vice Chairman, EAC, MoEF) then defended SEACs saying that Project proponents don’t submit complete information and the same results in delay. Some members felt that any development will harm the environment but since development was need of the hour, harm to environment should be minimized to the extent possible.

(President – Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd.) stated that so much information is sought by SEAC which is not available at the preliminary stage of the project.

(Chairman of EAC, MoEF) stated that government should pursue renewable source of energy such as Solar even if cost is uneconomical. He was not satisfied that India produces only 3 MW of solar power right now. He stated that many times during construction, excavated earth blocks the road or during a function in Hotel, cars are parked on roads nearby leading to traffic problem.

Some other SEAC members expressed concern that Top soil is nor properly protected during construction. One member gave example of Doon School in protecting Top Soil.

One SEAC member stated that Project proponents would talk about Rain harvesting without paying any attention to water table and earth permeability of that region.

Many SEAC members criticized almost full use of glass envelope in building these days. As per them, such construction increases cooling load of buildings – leading to higher demand of energy. (Addl. Director of MoEF) stated that they ask for window to wall ratio not exceeding 40%.

(BEE) stated that there is little that can be done on supply side of Power and therefore demand has to be controlled by suitable measures such as usage of CFL, star rated home appliances and employing energy efficient buildings.

Mr. (of Ansal) pointed out that a project for 19000 sq meters don’t need Environmental clearance but a project for 20000 sq meters does. (Chairman of Panjab SEIAA) countered him saying that Project proponents also bifurcate one 38000 sq meter project into two 19000 sq meter projects to escape EC act.

I asked Mr. that in spite of opposition from government side why all glass façade buildings are successfully coming up. He stated that this is as per clients’ requirement and many clients feel that glass on the façade gives international look to their buildings.

One SEAC member stated that mercury has entered in human body in Sonbhadra region of U.P. Coal used in nearby Power plant emits mercury as a part of pollution. Mercury settles on grass, grass is eaten by cow and cow’s milk is consumed by population living in that area.

I asked some members that in view of mercury getting into food chain, are we doing a right thing by promoting CFL since it contains mercury. I was advised that CFL should be disposed properly.

Mr. stated that it takes them about 18 months to acquire land from all the owners while government can do so in one day by promulgating order. Project Proponent then needs to approach various government agencies for clearance and even if one such agency refuses, all efforts and investment for that project is likely to be doomed.

Some SEAC members expressed concern in private that they may be held accountable in future for decisions they take today.

One SEAC member from M.P. pointed out that many miners don’t obtain Environmental Clearance for starting mining activity and SAEC/SEIAA is not empowered to take any action against them.

(Member, EAC, MoEF) stated that SEAC/SEIAA needs to learn to work under existing conditions since as per his experience with government, it would take MoEF atleast 5 years to revise the act. He advised SEAC members that they can not ask Builder to comply for any provision which is not mandated by Law.

It was also pointed out by (Chairman SEIAA Panjab) that SEAC members should ask only for such steps which are technically feasible and economically viable.

One Builder stated that though local agencies charge external development charge (EDC), they don’t provide the required infrastructure and builder gets the blame.

(GM, Deloitte TTIPL) was asked if it is alright to conclude that more green house gases are released in construction of a Green building than a normal building apart from higher initial cost. He agreed.

Ms. (of Teri) and Ms (Free spanz, Mumbai) gave presentation on Griha and Leeds ratings respectively.

Mr (Godrej GBC) stated that Green Building concept is catching up fast. He asked me - Are you getting demand for glass from new green buildings.

Mr (Spectral Services) talked about his office building in Noida which is a geen building. As per him, their building consumes approx one third power when compared to similar buildings in neighborhood.

Mr stated that buildings should be so designed so that need of artificial light inside is minimized.

Mr (Lloyd Insulations) and Mr (Owens Corning) spoke about their insulation materials.

(MD CO2e India Pvt Ltd) spoke about carbon trading.

At the end of the Program, it was decided that organizers of workshop (Search Foundation) will prepare a draft recommendations based upon discussions held. It will be circulated to participants for their comments. After comments are received from participants, same will be incorporated and recommendations will be forwarded to MoEF.