Nation to follow Delhi on green code

“Delhi has set an example by adopting the ECBC. I have written to all chief ministers to also adopt the ECBC in their government buildings,” Ramesh said.

Ramesh also spoke to the Urban Development Ministry in this regard. “I spoke to the Ministry to ensure that all new buildings of the Central Public Works Department and the Delhi Development Authority are ECBC-compliant. The focus will be on new buildings. The new Ministry of External Affairs building coming up opposite the National Museum on Janpath will be the first building to be totally ECBC-compliant,” he said.

Buildings can also be retrofitted to become less carbon intensive — the Clinton Climate Initiative,for example,started by former US President Bill Clinton,helps retrofit buildings. But retrofitting,a newer concept than creating green buildings,involves a higher cost.

“At the moment,retrofitting existing buildings is very expensive,” Ramesh said.

However,one of the major components of the exercise will be monitoring that suggested norms are followed.

Climate change scientist and environmentalist R K Pachauri said: “Asking all states for ECBC compliance is a welcome first step. But we also have to reach out to the local governance to monitor and regulate the incorporation of ECBC. Buildings are currently a very big energy guzzler. We urgently need efforts on a massive scale to bring about green buildings. We have to provide incentives to those who follow green building codes.”

“In fact,some of our older architectural styles,using particular building codes and ventilation,were much less energy-intensive,” he added.

Some of the ethnic building codes include creating water channels,planting trees near buildings,thick walls and ventilation shafts.