By IANS
New Delhi : The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and DuPont, a leading provider of science-based building innovations, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote the cause of green building designs and certification in India.
The MoU was signed Thursday between Thomas F. Schuler, vice president and general manager DuPont and R.K. Pachauri, director-general of TERI and chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), during the Talking Tomorrow lecture series organised by TERI Business Council for Sustainable Development in India (BCSD India).
BCSD India is a group of 76 corporate members that engages with TERI on sustainable development, environmental management and corporate responsibility.
Pachauri said green building technology is not just the need of the hour but will also provide business opportunities in India. Deutsche Bank has already expressed interest to work in this area and many more players will join this market.
Speaking at the event, Schuler said: “DuPont has a long tradition of using science and innovation to deliver advanced products to the marketplace, enabling architects and designers to build sustainable, cost-efficient buildings.”
However, he accepted that one of the biggest challenges in this area is cost.
“Adopting green technologies increases the cost of construction by at least six to seven percent, which poses initial hitch for the developers to adopt this technology”, he told IANS.
Mili Majumdar, head of TERI’s Green Building Griha project, said: “Buildings are responsible for at least 40 percent of energy use in most countries, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency in buildings is very crucial in the Indian context since the construction sector is growing at a very fast pace.
“TERI is already working in this direction and the Griha rating system for green buildings is recognised by the government of India. This MoU shall enable us to spread awareness and information on applicability of building wraps and vapour- breathable radiant barriers in making of energy efficient buildings,” Majumdar added.