The national conference on green buildings, organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on Friday focussed on efforts to conserve the environment, preserve natural resources and save energy in all structures.
Delivering the inaugural address at the conference, Haryana Principal Secretary of Housing, S K Gulati said: “Our mindsets must go green to ensure that we save resources for future generations…It is high time that we develop a mindset with energy efficiency at its core.”
Dr R K Khandal, Co-Chairman of the Environment Committee of PHDCCI, said the building sector accounts for 40 per cent of primary energy consumption, 70 per cent electricity use and 40 per cent atmospheric emissions. “Use of innovative materials can lead to reduction in energy consumption,” Khandal said.
Director of Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), Balour Singh, highlighted that India is still energy deficient.
He added that in Punjab, this gap is at 15 per cent, against the national deficiency of 10-15 per cent.
The gap could be bridged with the implementation of integrated resource management, alternative and non-conventional energy technologies and developing sustainable policies and technologies to meet energy requirements.
Mahesh Kumar Gupta, Engineer-in-Chief of Haryana Public Works Department (Buildings and Roads) said the state has already introduced energy efficient fixtures like fly ash-lime based bricks, autoclaved aerated concrete light-weight blocks, heat resistant tiles for roof insulation, high efficiency light fixtures and solar water heating systems in Haryana Schedule of Rates, to enable maximum use of energy efficient techniques.
Others to speak on the occasion included Vikram Sahgal, S A D’Souza, Dalip Sharma, Balkar Singh, Varun Potbhare, K K Mitra, Surinder Bagha, Archana Chaudhary and Pritpal Singh.
