VASCO
Chairman of Indian Green Building Council’s (IGBC), Goa chapter, Bharat Kamat on Thursday said Panaji Smart City must adopt the IGBC Green Cities rating system as it is holistic and covers all aspects of a smart city and many more green aspects.
Kamat was addressing a news conference in Vasco on the budget placed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, stressing on green growth efforts to help reduce carbon intensity and the creation of job opportunities in the green sector.
“We are implementing many programmes for green fuel, green energy, green farming, green mobility, green buildings and green equipment, along with policies for efficient use of energy across various economic sectors,”
“These green growth efforts will help in reducing India’s carbon footprint and provide job opportunities,” said Kamat.
GOAN GREEN ENTREPRENEURS
Kamat said the greening of the construction sector has seen the birth of Goan Green Entrepreneurs. Goan companies, who are now making cementless paver blocks, fly ash bricks, lightweight blocks and even solar panels which meet the highest standards in the world.
“Another Goan company has ventured into Sewage Treatment Plants and this company has recently been listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Besides, a company at Bethora is making vacuum toilets to enable zero water use in these toilets.”
GREEN CERTIFICATION
Kamat said the State government has to align itself with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all government buildings have to go for Green Certification.
“In the second phase, all buildings should go in for green certification. And lastly, starting from 2030, when we in Goa reach a level of expertise in Green buildings, all existing buildings should be made to go green.”
“Starting 2035, Goa must encourage new buildings to go in for net zero certification. And by 2050, all buildings in the private sector should go for net zero certification. This will align Goa with the National Goals and with the goals of the PM.”
“Also, Panaji Smart City must adopt the IGBC Green Cities rating system as it is holistic and covers all aspects of a smart city and many more green aspects.”
“This will help curb carbon emissions in a big way in the city, create more open spaces, make it more friendly, especially for senior citizens, etc. The CII and IGBC is ready to work with the State government to help achieve the goals set by the PM,” said Kamat.
