Policies Supporting Energy Efficiency
Countries are implementing policies to promote energy-efficient buildings as part of climate strategies.
Examples:
EU’s Green Deal: Aims for climate neutrality by 2050, requiring energy-efficient designs.
Germany: Offers low-interest loans for energy-efficient projects through KfW Bank.
Denmark: Has strict building codes (BR18) that incentivize sustainability.
U.S.: Programs like Energy Star and LEED certification encourage green building and provide tax credits.
How is India Supporting HPBs?
India promotes energy-efficient buildings under its climate action framework.
Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC): Developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to reduce energy demand by up to 30%.
Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA): Over 3,000 projects registered focusing on sustainability.
Cities like Hyderabad and Pune offer benefits for buildings meeting ECBC standards.
How do HPBs Make Financial Sense?
The gap between conventional and high-performance buildings is narrowing.
HPBs deliver significant energy savings (e.g., Infosys reduced consumption by 45%).
Lower operating costs and demand from eco-conscious buyers lead to increased property values.
Green-certified commercial properties attract higher rents and better occupancy rates.
How are HPBs Financed?
HPBs can generate carbon credits for reducing emissions, providing financial incentives for developers.
These bonds fund sustainable projects; $269.5 billion was issued globally in 2020.
Organizations like the World Bank and Green Climate Fund offer financial backing for HPBs.
Developers can trade energy and carbon savings, making HPBs more affordable and promoting sustainability.
COMMENTS