How significant a contributor is the housing sector to the GHG emissions? What are various government’s initiatives to boost the green housing sector?

Housing is one of the major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions, with around one fourth of the country’s electricity consumption and 20% share in total greenhouse gas emissions.

Contribution of Housing in GHG emissions:

• The share of housing in greenhouse gas emissions is expected to increase as housing demand increases.
• It will have a negative impact on India’s nationally intended targets to deal with climate change.
• Conventional housing materials such as concrete and steel are made using energy intensive and often polluting processes.

Green Housing:

• It refers to a house which is designed in such a way that it Reduces or eliminates negative impacts on our climate and natural environment.
• It makes use of natural lighting, rainwater harvesting, insulation, etc to minimize the use of electricity and other resources.

Government’s initiatives:

• The Indian Green Building Council is India’s premier body for green building certification.
• Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) Is the national green building rating system. The ratings are given on the basis of energy consumption, waste generation, renewable energy adoption, etc.
• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) works towards energy savings and gives star ratings on the basis of energy savings.
• Energy Conservation – New Indian Way for Affordable and Sustainable homes (ECO-NIWAS).
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
• Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Energy Finance (SUNREF).
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

Way forward:

• Sustainable construction practises.
• Recycling of building materials.
• Retrofitting of roofs, windows and doors for higher energy efficiency.
• Credit enhancement mechanism to support the green housing sector.