Posts
CSE's Fortnightly News Bulletin (October 1, 2014)
==============================
India is in a frenzy of construction. We are building at a massive pace, but are still not there yet: a staggering 60 per cent of the buildings that will stand in India in 2030 are yet to be built. And how we choose to design and build these and live in them can have a profound impact on our resource use and environment. What are the tenets of a 'green building'? The speakers at the recent CSE conclave “Building sense: beyond the green façade of sustainable habitat” and the CSE publication with the same title reiterated that building ‘smart’ cities essentially means building ‘liveable’ cities. The government seems to agree. In his recent opinion piece in Wall Street Journal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “We will create world-class infrastructure that India badly needs to accelerate growth and meet people's basic needs. We will make our cities and towns habitable, sustainable and smart.”
However, as the book points out, India needs appropriate green norms to benchmark energy and water use, minimise waste, and develop monitoring and compliance strategies. CSE researchers recommend that the EIA process be reinvented and integrated with the building approval process and urban planning to get better results and to make cities worth living in. The green rating system needs transparency, accountability and stringent compliance and monitoring. Also the problem of under performance after construction needs to be addressed immediately with effective official monitoring and penalty, else it can legitimise massive resource inefficiency in the new built up area.
- To unsubscribe from this newsletter: http://www.cseindia.org/
- To subscribe to this newsletter, or any of our other newsletters: http://cseindia.my2.in/
- For queries and suggestions related to the newsletter: Vikas Khanna,vikas@cseindia.org
===========================
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS FORTNIGHT
===========================
- Editorial by Sunita Narain
- DTE Print Cover story on urban flood: Kashmir floods make a pleading case for urban flood management
- Pre-publication booking for State of Environment 2015 report and special package offer that includes our new publication - Building Sense: Beyond the green facade of sustainable habitat
- Mumbai dialogue on green architecture - "Building sense: Beyond the green façade of sustainable habitat" at Studio-X Mumbai
- Blogs on latest developments
==============================
EDITORIAL:The myth of green building
==============================
by Sunita Narain
There is no question that India and other parts of the still-under-construction world must build green. The building sector is a major contributor to climate change and local environmental destruction because of construction materials used; energy expended for lighting, heating and cooling; and water consumption and waste discharge. This is the threat. There is an opportunity as well. Most of India is still unbuilt—over 70 per cent of the building stock is yet to be constructed—so unlike the rest of the already developed world, India can build anew in efficient and sustainable manner. But how?
This is an issue that has been troubling us at the Centre for Science and Environment. Over the past few years the idea of green buildings has gained popularity—everybody, it would seem, has turned a new leaf. Across the country large and small constructions are advertised as the greenest of green. To prove that they are indeed environment-friendly, the business of certification has also grown. There are agencies that now rate and award stars to individual buildings based on certain parameters. Many state governments are making these same standards of “greenness” mandatory. Some are even providing incentives, like exemptions on property tax, to those buildings that qualify as environment-friendly.
All this is important but do we know what green means?
When we began asking this question, what surprised us was the hostility with which it was received. Nobody wanted the new God to be questioned. Nobody wanted to be asked something as simple as what the post-commissioning performance of a green building was. We realised that the interests—of architects, builders, auditors and certifiers—in this new industry were already entrenched. It was a cozy club and nobody was keen to give us entry.
We dug in our heels. Buildings are the key to a cleaner and greener future. The building sector uses, already, some 40 per cent of the country’s electricity generation. So, every effort made to reduce energy intensity of buildings will go a long way. We wanted to know what was happening and what more could be done to reduce the material-use footprint and emissions of every construction.
What we discovered is not a convenient truth. My colleagues have put together a book, Building Sense: Beyond the Green Façade of Sustainable Habitat, to bust some myths and explore alternative approaches. What they find is as follows.
First, the general approach is to build wrongly and then “fit” in the green features. For instance, glass-enveloped buildings are certified green, simply because they install double or triple insulating glass or five-star air-conditioners to cool places that were first heated up deliberately.
Secondly, rating systems are being pushed through government and municipal schemes without any evidence that green-certified buildings are actually working. Data on the performance of the green buildings after they have been commissioned was, till very recently, not disclosed. So, even though rating agencies say that green-certified buildings save between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of the energy and reduce water consumption by 20-30 per cent, they have no corroborating data.
Thirdly, all these so-called green technologies end up hiking costs to the extent that buildings become unaffordable to most. What India needs are building standards that are appropriate and cost-effective. Green architecture should not be a barrier to inclusive growth.
This is where old knowledge has a role to play. Traditional architecture is based on the principle of “localising” buildings so that they can optimise natural elements and be efficient in resource use. This “science and art” of engineers for nature needs to be infused with the new material knowledge of modern architecture.
Many architects, engineers and builders are innovating with this old-new science. That’s how the knowledge and practice of affordable and sustainable buildings will evolve. But big builders will adopt it only if and when the façade of green buildings is lifted. This is what we hope to do.
- Follow Sunita Narain on Twitter at: @sunitanar
- To post your comments on this editorial online, please visit:http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- To share this editorial, please click on the following:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/1tdGuvf
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1rq5GTK
Google+: http://bit.ly/ZnGy4s
==============================
MORE FROM DOWN TO EARTH PRINT
==============================
- Cover story on urban flood: Kashmir floods make a pleading case for urban flood management
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
-Special Report
A new roadblock for the forest rights act: Tribal affairs ministry objects to Maharashtra's Village Forest Rules that violate FRA. Other ministries pressure it to backtrack
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Special Report
Destination Bihar: Migration trends in Bihar are changing, causing labour shortage in several states. A few studies investigate the reasons and patterns
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Science & Technology
Silent threat: Studies show modern kitchen is not as safe as believed. Use of exhausts, effective ventilation can reduce household pollution
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Science & Technology
Should traditional methods be promoted for treating animal diseases?: In the absence of veterinary services, traditional medical practices for treating livestock remain popular in tribal villages
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Special Report
Brinjal blues: Amid countrywide protests against Bt brinjal, Bangladesh government announces plan to expand cultivation of the genetically modified crop
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
==============
DTE ON THE WEB
==============
- Global wildlife populations halved in 40 years
Hydro dams, pollution led to a 76 per cent dip in freshwater species populations between 1970 and 2010, says report
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Mars mission: Mangalyaan sends first image of Red Planet
The pictures will put into context the information provided by other instruments on the orbiter
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- 130 women leaders steal the limelight at UN climate show
With women and girls on the frontline of climate change, women leaders representing 54 nations met in New York to
call on global leaders gathered for Ban Ki-moon’s climate summit to catalyse gender-sensitive climate action
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- World Heart Day special book review: How government policies are putting our hearts at risk
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Mermaid's second life
The dugong stages a revival, thanks to conservation efforts
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
==============================
DTE BLOGS
==============================
Read blogs on latest developments:
- What does China want?
The Asian giant is sending out conflicting signals on whether it intends to curb greenhouse gas emissions, pollution
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Cola and fruit juices don’t mix
The possible industry response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion may not be fruitful for public health
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Monsoon begins to withdraw from India
The south-west monsoon has already withdrawn from some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and most of Rajasthan
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
==============================
ON THE INDIA ENVIRONMENT PORTAL
==============================
- Interactives/Infographics
Meet the top women eco- entrepreneurs of 2014
From an enterprise that markets solar electricity kiosks in rural off-grid areas of Malawi and promote bikes as
subsidised moving billboards for the rural poor in Mozambique to a women’s farming cooperative that improves food
security in Nepal, check out for innovations by this year's SEED award winners from Africa, Asia and South America.
Women’s empowerment is crucial for inclusive and sustainable industrial development and these top women eco-entrepreneurs
are drivers of sustainable development. People who wish to support such enterprises can contact India Environment Portal,
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) at indiaenvironmentportal@gmail.
India Environment Portal Weekly Newsletter brings you the top environment developments, studies, reports, conflicts
http://www.
Sign-up and get connected with the India Environment Portal. Subscribe for alerts and services.
Follow the India Environment Portal
- On Facebook http://on.fb.me/1jxAdYQ
- On Twitter http://bit.ly/1hNlYi6
- On Youtube http://bit.ly/18NF2Xg
For more details or any assistance, contact Kiran Pandey at
kiran@cseindia.org, kirandwi@gmail.com
==============================
UPDATES FROM OUR PROGRAMME UNITS
==============================
- Mumbai dialogue on green architecture
"Building sense: Beyond the green façade of sustainable habitat"
Venue: Studio-X Mumbai, 4th floor, Kitab Mahal, 192 D.N. Road, Fort, Mumbai.
For details, e-mail Avikal Somvanshi, avikal@cseindia.org
- CSE Press Release: Supreme Court’s verdict on coal block allocation provides an opportunity to reform the entire mining sector
http://www.cseindia.org/
- UN climate negotiations: an overview
The North and South is still divided as the world inches closer to the deadline for hammering out a new climate deal in Paris in 2015
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
=================
LEARNING WITH CSE
=================
Courses offered by Anil Agarwal Green College
- Training on Water Sensitive Design and Planning: Towards Sustainable Urban Development
Date: October 13-15, 2014
Contact: Uday Bhonde, uday@cseindia.org
------------------------------
- New workshops for global participants
* Visual Story Telling in the Digital Age
A two days workshop on how to work with photographs for strategic communication and influence
October 14-15, 2014, New Delhi
* E-outreach: New media technologies for advocacy and strategic communication
October 16-17, 2014
Applications accepted from national and international applicants.
Contact: Kiran Pandey, kiran@cseindia.org, kirandwi@gmail.com
Last Date to Apply: Sep 29, 2014.
Fellowships for some participants from Africa
------------------------------
- Training Programme for Environmental Managers
November 10-14, 2014
http://www.cseindia.org/
Nivit Kumar Yadav,nivit@cseindia.org
For a complete listing, please visit our website: http://www.cseindia.org/
------------------------------
- Training Programme on Clean Air and Sustainable Transportation
Strategies for Liveable Cities*
November 10 – 12, 2014
Priyanka Chandola, priyanka@cseindia.org
=============
THE CSE STORE
=============
Pre-publication booking for State of Environment 2015 report
The report, backed by our over two decades of researching environment and development, is emerging as India's most credible annual statement on key
issues like water, land, climate change, agriculture and urbanisation. It will be out in January 2015.
For fabulous early bird special price contact: Ramachandran at rchandran@cseindia.org, Mobile: 91-9810641996
------------------------------
SPECIAL PACKAGE DEAL:
1. Building Sense: Rs.950 (US $60)
2. Good News & Bad News: Clearing the Air in Indian Cities: Rs.750 (US $50)
3. State of Renewable Energy in India: Rs.690 (US $40)
4. DTE Annual State of India's Environment 2014: Rs.450 (US $30)
5. Mobility Crisis: Rs.290 (US $12)
Total: Rs.3,130 (US $192)
If you order all the 5 books within 30 days, then you will get a special discount of 25% (besides free delivery). You can thus save Rs.783 (US $48 for despatching books abroad), and pay only Rs.2.347 (US $144 for despatches outside India).
You can send a DD/Cheque to us, payable at New Delhi, drawn in favour of "Centre for Science and Environment", or order online by visiting: http://csestore.cse.org.in.
==============================
India is in a frenzy of construction. We are building at a massive pace, but are still not there yet: a staggering 60 per cent of the buildings that will stand in India in 2030 are yet to be built. And how we choose to design and build these and live in them can have a profound impact on our resource use and environment. What are the tenets of a 'green building'? The speakers at the recent CSE conclave “Building sense: beyond the green façade of sustainable habitat” and the CSE publication with the same title reiterated that building ‘smart’ cities essentially means building ‘liveable’ cities. The government seems to agree. In his recent opinion piece in Wall Street Journal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “We will create world-class infrastructure that India badly needs to accelerate growth and meet people's basic needs. We will make our cities and towns habitable, sustainable and smart.”
However, as the book points out, India needs appropriate green norms to benchmark energy and water use, minimise waste, and develop monitoring and compliance strategies. CSE researchers recommend that the EIA process be reinvented and integrated with the building approval process and urban planning to get better results and to make cities worth living in. The green rating system needs transparency, accountability and stringent compliance and monitoring. Also the problem of under performance after construction needs to be addressed immediately with effective official monitoring and penalty, else it can legitimise massive resource inefficiency in the new built up area.
- To unsubscribe from this newsletter: http://www.cseindia.org/
- To subscribe to this newsletter, or any of our other newsletters: http://cseindia.my2.in/
- For queries and suggestions related to the newsletter: Vikas Khanna,vikas@cseindia.org
===========================
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS FORTNIGHT
===========================
- Editorial by Sunita Narain
- DTE Print Cover story on urban flood: Kashmir floods make a pleading case for urban flood management
- Pre-publication booking for State of Environment 2015 report and special package offer that includes our new publication - Building Sense: Beyond the green facade of sustainable habitat
- Mumbai dialogue on green architecture - "Building sense: Beyond the green façade of sustainable habitat" at Studio-X Mumbai
- Blogs on latest developments
==============================
EDITORIAL:The myth of green building
==============================
by Sunita Narain
There is no question that India and other parts of the still-under-construction world must build green. The building sector is a major contributor to climate change and local environmental destruction because of construction materials used; energy expended for lighting, heating and cooling; and water consumption and waste discharge. This is the threat. There is an opportunity as well. Most of India is still unbuilt—over 70 per cent of the building stock is yet to be constructed—so unlike the rest of the already developed world, India can build anew in efficient and sustainable manner. But how?
This is an issue that has been troubling us at the Centre for Science and Environment. Over the past few years the idea of green buildings has gained popularity—everybody, it would seem, has turned a new leaf. Across the country large and small constructions are advertised as the greenest of green. To prove that they are indeed environment-friendly, the business of certification has also grown. There are agencies that now rate and award stars to individual buildings based on certain parameters. Many state governments are making these same standards of “greenness” mandatory. Some are even providing incentives, like exemptions on property tax, to those buildings that qualify as environment-friendly.
All this is important but do we know what green means?
When we began asking this question, what surprised us was the hostility with which it was received. Nobody wanted the new God to be questioned. Nobody wanted to be asked something as simple as what the post-commissioning performance of a green building was. We realised that the interests—of architects, builders, auditors and certifiers—in this new industry were already entrenched. It was a cozy club and nobody was keen to give us entry.
We dug in our heels. Buildings are the key to a cleaner and greener future. The building sector uses, already, some 40 per cent of the country’s electricity generation. So, every effort made to reduce energy intensity of buildings will go a long way. We wanted to know what was happening and what more could be done to reduce the material-use footprint and emissions of every construction.
What we discovered is not a convenient truth. My colleagues have put together a book, Building Sense: Beyond the Green Façade of Sustainable Habitat, to bust some myths and explore alternative approaches. What they find is as follows.
First, the general approach is to build wrongly and then “fit” in the green features. For instance, glass-enveloped buildings are certified green, simply because they install double or triple insulating glass or five-star air-conditioners to cool places that were first heated up deliberately.
Secondly, rating systems are being pushed through government and municipal schemes without any evidence that green-certified buildings are actually working. Data on the performance of the green buildings after they have been commissioned was, till very recently, not disclosed. So, even though rating agencies say that green-certified buildings save between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of the energy and reduce water consumption by 20-30 per cent, they have no corroborating data.
Thirdly, all these so-called green technologies end up hiking costs to the extent that buildings become unaffordable to most. What India needs are building standards that are appropriate and cost-effective. Green architecture should not be a barrier to inclusive growth.
This is where old knowledge has a role to play. Traditional architecture is based on the principle of “localising” buildings so that they can optimise natural elements and be efficient in resource use. This “science and art” of engineers for nature needs to be infused with the new material knowledge of modern architecture.
Many architects, engineers and builders are innovating with this old-new science. That’s how the knowledge and practice of affordable and sustainable buildings will evolve. But big builders will adopt it only if and when the façade of green buildings is lifted. This is what we hope to do.
- Follow Sunita Narain on Twitter at: @sunitanar
- To post your comments on this editorial online, please visit:http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- To share this editorial, please click on the following:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/1tdGuvf
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1rq5GTK
Google+: http://bit.ly/ZnGy4s
==============================
MORE FROM DOWN TO EARTH PRINT
==============================
- Cover story on urban flood: Kashmir floods make a pleading case for urban flood management
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
-Special Report
A new roadblock for the forest rights act: Tribal affairs ministry objects to Maharashtra's Village Forest Rules that violate FRA. Other ministries pressure it to backtrack
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Special Report
Destination Bihar: Migration trends in Bihar are changing, causing labour shortage in several states. A few studies investigate the reasons and patterns
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Science & Technology
Silent threat: Studies show modern kitchen is not as safe as believed. Use of exhausts, effective ventilation can reduce household pollution
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Science & Technology
Should traditional methods be promoted for treating animal diseases?: In the absence of veterinary services, traditional medical practices for treating livestock remain popular in tribal villages
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Special Report
Brinjal blues: Amid countrywide protests against Bt brinjal, Bangladesh government announces plan to expand cultivation of the genetically modified crop
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
==============
DTE ON THE WEB
==============
- Global wildlife populations halved in 40 years
Hydro dams, pollution led to a 76 per cent dip in freshwater species populations between 1970 and 2010, says report
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Mars mission: Mangalyaan sends first image of Red Planet
The pictures will put into context the information provided by other instruments on the orbiter
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- 130 women leaders steal the limelight at UN climate show
With women and girls on the frontline of climate change, women leaders representing 54 nations met in New York to
call on global leaders gathered for Ban Ki-moon’s climate summit to catalyse gender-sensitive climate action
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- World Heart Day special book review: How government policies are putting our hearts at risk
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Mermaid's second life
The dugong stages a revival, thanks to conservation efforts
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
==============================
DTE BLOGS
==============================
Read blogs on latest developments:
- What does China want?
The Asian giant is sending out conflicting signals on whether it intends to curb greenhouse gas emissions, pollution
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Cola and fruit juices don’t mix
The possible industry response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion may not be fruitful for public health
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
- Monsoon begins to withdraw from India
The south-west monsoon has already withdrawn from some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and most of Rajasthan
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
==============================
ON THE INDIA ENVIRONMENT PORTAL
==============================
- Interactives/Infographics
Meet the top women eco- entrepreneurs of 2014
From an enterprise that markets solar electricity kiosks in rural off-grid areas of Malawi and promote bikes as
subsidised moving billboards for the rural poor in Mozambique to a women’s farming cooperative that improves food
security in Nepal, check out for innovations by this year's SEED award winners from Africa, Asia and South America.
Women’s empowerment is crucial for inclusive and sustainable industrial development and these top women eco-entrepreneurs
are drivers of sustainable development. People who wish to support such enterprises can contact India Environment Portal,
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) at indiaenvironmentportal@gmail.
India Environment Portal Weekly Newsletter brings you the top environment developments, studies, reports, conflicts
http://www.
Sign-up and get connected with the India Environment Portal. Subscribe for alerts and services.
Follow the India Environment Portal
- On Facebook http://on.fb.me/1jxAdYQ
- On Twitter http://bit.ly/1hNlYi6
- On Youtube http://bit.ly/18NF2Xg
For more details or any assistance, contact Kiran Pandey at
kiran@cseindia.org, kirandwi@gmail.com
==============================
UPDATES FROM OUR PROGRAMME UNITS
==============================
- Mumbai dialogue on green architecture
"Building sense: Beyond the green façade of sustainable habitat"
Venue: Studio-X Mumbai, 4th floor, Kitab Mahal, 192 D.N. Road, Fort, Mumbai.
For details, e-mail Avikal Somvanshi, avikal@cseindia.org
- CSE Press Release: Supreme Court’s verdict on coal block allocation provides an opportunity to reform the entire mining sector
http://www.cseindia.org/
- UN climate negotiations: an overview
The North and South is still divided as the world inches closer to the deadline for hammering out a new climate deal in Paris in 2015
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/
=================
LEARNING WITH CSE
=================
Courses offered by Anil Agarwal Green College
- Training on Water Sensitive Design and Planning: Towards Sustainable Urban Development
Date: October 13-15, 2014
Contact: Uday Bhonde, uday@cseindia.org
------------------------------
- New workshops for global participants
* Visual Story Telling in the Digital Age
A two days workshop on how to work with photographs for strategic communication and influence
October 14-15, 2014, New Delhi
* E-outreach: New media technologies for advocacy and strategic communication
October 16-17, 2014
Applications accepted from national and international applicants.
Contact: Kiran Pandey, kiran@cseindia.org, kirandwi@gmail.com
Last Date to Apply: Sep 29, 2014.
Fellowships for some participants from Africa
------------------------------
- Training Programme for Environmental Managers
November 10-14, 2014
http://www.cseindia.org/
Nivit Kumar Yadav,nivit@cseindia.org
For a complete listing, please visit our website: http://www.cseindia.org/
------------------------------
- Training Programme on Clean Air and Sustainable Transportation
Strategies for Liveable Cities*
November 10 – 12, 2014
Priyanka Chandola, priyanka@cseindia.org
=============
THE CSE STORE
=============
Pre-publication booking for State of Environment 2015 report
The report, backed by our over two decades of researching environment and development, is emerging as India's most credible annual statement on key
issues like water, land, climate change, agriculture and urbanisation. It will be out in January 2015.
For fabulous early bird special price contact: Ramachandran at rchandran@cseindia.org, Mobile: 91-9810641996
------------------------------
SPECIAL PACKAGE DEAL:
1. Building Sense: Rs.950 (US $60)
2. Good News & Bad News: Clearing the Air in Indian Cities: Rs.750 (US $50)
3. State of Renewable Energy in India: Rs.690 (US $40)
4. DTE Annual State of India's Environment 2014: Rs.450 (US $30)
5. Mobility Crisis: Rs.290 (US $12)
Total: Rs.3,130 (US $192)
If you order all the 5 books within 30 days, then you will get a special discount of 25% (besides free delivery). You can thus save Rs.783 (US $48 for despatching books abroad), and pay only Rs.2.347 (US $144 for despatches outside India).
You can send a DD/Cheque to us, payable at New Delhi, drawn in favour of "Centre for Science and Environment", or order online by visiting: http://csestore.cse.org.in.