What is Green Buildings

Green Buildings

* Buildings account for 40 per cent of the world’s total primary energy consumption and for 24 per

cent of global carbon dioxide emersion. A green building is broadly defined as a structure that

aims to reduce negative environmental impact and has positive impact on the environment over its

life cycle. It generally refers to using energy, water and other resources efficiently and reducing

waste, pollution and environmental degradation.

* Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rates the buildings as certified, if points

scored is 26–32, silver level if 33–38 points, gold level if 39–51 points and platinum level if the

points are more than 52.

* Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in India assigns rating of green buildings on scale 1 to 5. It fixes

different parameters to be considered for the three climatic zones, namely, composite zone (Delhi),

hot and dry zone (Jaipur, Ahmedabad) and hot and humid zone (Mumbai and Chennai).

* Energy consumption in a building may be grouped into the four phases : (1) Embodied energy of

materials, (2) embodied energy required during construction, (3) energy required for maintenance

of building and (4) energy spent in demolition.

* In making a building green, apart from reducing the energy requirements, its positive impact on

economy and productivity also should be considered