Context:
- As Emission Gap report had highlighted that world is far back at achieving targets of reducing GHG, we need to focus on housing aspect too.
- Housing is a main greenhouse gas emitting sector; it consumes about 24 % of the India’s electricity and emit over 20 % of total greenhouse gas.
What is Green Housing?
A house having natural environment, it saves electricity and water costs and caused less damage to environment.
Green houses reduce the emission of harmful gasses during construction.
SUNREF Program:
SUNREF aka (Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Energy Finance Program) was launched in 2017, with Agence Française de Développement with EU’s support, aiming at:
- ↓ negative impacts of the housing industry.
- Providing more financial assistance to Green Housing.
Why Green Housing is need of the hour?
- Our electricity consumption and GHG emission% are increasing rapidly.
- Land areas in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities is almost exhausted, here new concept such as Green Housing will help.
- Green housing, will be beneficial in almost every angle, be it economical and environmental as this concept is sustainable in nature.
Obstacles in Implementing Green Housing:
- Lack of financial assistance by bank.
- Lack of awareness about housing sustainability.
Steps to be taken to make Green Housing applicable:
- Using low carbon material
- Retrofitting roofs, windows, and doors can reduce heating and cooling demands by 40%
- Using of LEDs, can reduce consumption by 80%
- Govt. and Multilateral dev. Bank and Domestic dev. bank can support such initiative.
- As the govt. is providing incentives to green housing construction as it supports govt’s mission to cut GHG and achieve sustainable financing
Date: 01.11.2022
Source: The Hindu Business Line
By: Sudarshan Gurjar