Green buildings: it's common sense

Frenzied growth in real estate and changing lifestyle in Indian cities are inciting resource guzzling. Architects have innovative ideas to build green homes

Green rating problems

GRIHA, a rating system for green buildings developed by The Energy and Resources Institute ( TERI ), has been formalized as the first national rating system.

EU to certify buildings for energy efficiency from 2006

As per a new directive, the eu will certify buildings for energy efficiency from 2006 onwards. The European Climate Change Programme, established in 2000 to meet Kyoto Protocol targets, has identified the construction sector as providing the largest potential for carbon dioxide emission reduction. Buildings already account for up to 40 per cent of the eu's energy consumption. And southern European countries are buying more air-conditioning units, further disturbing the energy balance.

High risk

Problem: Tall buildings risky in high seismic zones; Status: Hill-stations are getting concretised and growing vertically; Challenge: Use local construction material; regulate traffic

Energy fixing

Bureau of Energy Efficiency says it is likely to meet Plan target. Experts say claims far from truth

Endosulfan Conspiracy

A link was established between the unusually high incidence of deformities and diseases in Padre, a village in Kerala's Kasaragod district and endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide.