Tax reduction for green buildings on the cards

THIRUVANANATHAPURAM: Go green is the new policy of Public Works Department (PWD). As part of generating a green culture in the state, the PWD has decided to implement a common rating system for residential and commercial buildings. According to a draft policy on green building, the PWD has also decided to give tax reduction to various categories of green buildings.PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju said that the green building policy was to propagate messages of conservation of energy and natural resources. “The PWD is planning to give tax reduction for green buildings. The percentage of reduction will be decided later. This will be submitted for Cabinet approval. A final decision in this regard is expected in 2-3 months,” he added.The government has also decided to adopt Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) rating with some modifications. Upcoming green buildings will be classified in five categories -from one star to five star. GRIHA has a 100-point system consisting of some core points, which are mandatory, while the rest are optional points. As many as 34 categories to limit consumption of energy and conservation of natural resources are listed. The rating will be based on this score.The government will constitute a green building Regulatory Committee for certification of green building and an expert committee for evaluation of projects. Evaluation committee will be under PWD secretary and will be headed by PWD chief architect. PWD deputy chief engineer, superintending engineers of mechanical wing and electrical wing, deputy chief engineer of Local Self Government Department, KSEB chief engineer, KWA chief engineer, deputy chief town planner, deputy chief engineer, Pollution Control Board and a green building expert will be the members of the evaluation committee.Decision had been taken to initiate steps to reduce energy consumption of a new building by 30 percent. The energy consumption of an existing building would be reduced between 15-20 percent within five years. For this, a directive has to be issued by authorities concerned to follow the relevant rules in Energy Conservation Building Code by Bureau of Energy Efficiency in 2001, the draft policy states. According to the draft policy, saplings must be planted in the ratio 3:1 against trees felled for construction.   However, all is not well after getting the green building certificate. A Post-Occupancy Evaluation Team (POET) will fix standards for old and new buildings. If the building fails to maintain minimum level of certification, it would be cancelled. A review would be conducted every two years. The government has also decided to equip all government departments with green building technology and methods by the end of 2012.