It is a myth that green buildings cost more; sustainable is affordable
Mint Money spoke with Sanjay Seth of Griha Council about green buildings, making houses resource efficient, Griha's role, and more
Pollution has become a big issue in India. The issue also led to a major controversy when the international cricket team of Sir Lanka went off the field alleging that conditions were unplayable due to poor air quality of Delhi. There are many things that contribute to poor environment. Apart from vehicles, some of the major sources of air pollution are construction activity and energy emissions from buildings. In fact, when the Delhi government announced emergency measures last year to control air pollution, one of the measures was to impose a ban on construction activity. While pollution in Delhi makes the headlines, it is a serious concern across the country. This is where green buildings come in as they can play a significant role in reducing pollution. We spoke with Sanjay Seth, chief executive officer, Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (Griha) Council, about green buildings. Edited excerpts: