INDIA IMPROVES ON GREEN; MYTHS AND REALITIES OF GREEN CONSTRUCTION

Ref:Property Times Dt:10/07/2010

Indians are becoming more environmentally conscious, according to the recent Greendex report

    In their third annual survey to measure and monitor consumer behaviours that have an impact on the environment, the National Geographic Society and the international polling firm Globe Scan have found that environmentally friendly behaviour among consumers in 10 out of 17 countries has increased over the past year. By environmentally friendly consumer behaviour, we mean people's transportation patterns, household energy and resource use, consumption of food and everyday consumer goods, and what consumers are doing to minimise the impact these activities have on the environment. 
    Consumers in emerging economies continue to round out the top tier of the Greendex ranking, while the six lowest scores were all earned by consumers in industrialised countries. Consumers registering the largest 2010 vs 2008 increase in environmentally sustainable consumer behaviour were the Indians, Russians and Americans. 
    Environmentally sustainable behaviour among average consumers in India, China, Mexico, Russia, Hungary, Japan, Great Britain, and Canada has increased steadily each year. In contrast, consumers in Germany, Spain, Sweden, France and South Korea have slipped slightly over the past year. Notably, in a majority of the countries surveyed since 2008, three-year trends toward improvement have occurred. While these increases in Greendex scores are sometimes subtle, the trend is in a positive direction. Others have been more distinct. For instance, Americans' average Greendex score has increased by 1.3 points in each year. Still, Americans have yet to surpass Canadians' 2008 score. 
    Much of the increase in the overall Greendex scores was due to more sustainable behaviour in the housing category in both 2009 and 2010. Here, the Greendex measures the energy and resources consumed by people's homes. Changes in personal behaviour within the categories of personal transportation, food and consumer goods were mixed, with some countries improving and some deteriorating. The survey results show that both cost considerations and environmental concerns motivated consumers to adopt more environmentally sustainable behaviour over the past year. When consumers who reported decreases in their energy consumption were asked why their consumption declined, most cited cost as one of their top two reasons, but significant percentages ranging from approximately 20 percent to 50 percent said that environmental concerns were one of the main reasons for the decrease. 
    When asked to what extent 10 different factors discourage them from doing more for the environment than they do now, the largest proportion across the 17 countries said they do not do more because companies make false claims about the environmental impacts of their products. The second most commonly cited obstacle was that further individual efforts are not worth it if governments and industries do not also take action. 
    GlobeScan's analysis of the data reveals that these two perceptions directly or indirectly suppress more sustainable consumption and put downward pressure on Greendex scores. Cost, a lack of environmentally friendly options and information, are barriers for significantly fewer people. The belief that environmental problems are exaggerated is the least common obstacle. It appears that consumers are sending a message that they want "less talk and more action" from business and government, or at least action before talk. 
    Despite Indian consumers' lifestyles continuing to emerge as the most environmentally sustainable of any of the countries surveyed according to the Greendex. Indians were also the most likely to cite the perception that the seriousness of environmental problems is exaggerated as a barrier to action. 
    In all other countries surveyed, fewer than one-quarter said that they are discouraged from taking action because they think that environmental problems are exaggerated, while 40 percent of Indians said they feel this way. In the longer term, these perceptions may act as a brake on a long-term adoption of sustainable lifestyles in India as the subcontinent's economy continues to develop. 
    For now, the survey results as a whole point to an emerging environmental conscience in three of the largest emerging economies, including India. There, as well as in Russia and China, the percentage of consumers who said that the environment is the single most important issue facing their country has increased notably. More consumers in China than in any other country surveyed cited the environment as most top-of-mind. 
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    COST CONSIDERATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS MOTIVATED CONSUMERS TO ADOPT ECO-FRIENDLY BEHAVIOUR GREENDEX SCORES HAVE 
INCREASED IN INDIA, CHINA 
AND RUSSIA 
Source: "Greendex 2010: Consumer Choice and the Environment - A Worldwide Tracking Survey

GREEN CONSTRUCTION: MYTHS AND REALITIES

Getting the facts right would help us make better, more informed choices

MYTH 1: Green buildings are costlier. REALITY: The initial cost of green buildings may be slightly higher, but the operational cost is lower as compared to conventional buildings. Green buildings prove themselves to be very cost effective in the longer run. 
    According to the architect of Wipro Technologies, India, "The total energy conserved is 46% in terms of electricity saved, whereas the total extra cost was only 6%, which is recoverable in a span of 18 months. That's a big win." 
MYTH 2: Green buildings are not aesthetically pleasing. REALITY: Externally, a Green/Sustainable building and a conventional building look alike and have no discernable differences. 
MYTH 3: Green buildings cannot fetch rates of rentals/capitals as conventional buildings receive. REALITY: A study in California, USA, reflected that builders received much higher rentals and capitals from Green buildings because of its reduced operational cost and higher productivity of employees. 
MYTH 4: Green buildings cannot provide modern day comfort levels that occupants demand. REALITY: Green buildings are more comfortable than conventional buildings as they are designed to blend with nature and are more suitable for its occupants as compared to conventional artificial environs. 
MYTH 5: Green buildings use traditional tools and old fashioned techniques. REALITY: Green building design utilises locally available materials/techniques along with cutting edge technology. These buildings reflect an excellent amalgamation of traditional knowledge with modern scientific research. 
MYTH 6: High rise construction not possible. REALITY: All the modern techniques can be employed in building Green. Hence, Green concepts will never restrict building design or usability of space. 
MYTH 7: An existing conventional building cannot be converted into an energy efficient building. REALITY: Existing buildings can be converted into green/sustainable buildings. There are scientific ratings and checklists that builders can use to redesign and realign traditional buildings to modern green standards. A rating such as LEED for existing buildings encourages such conversions. 
    Such baseless myths and general ignorance of sustainable building practices are leading our cities and communities into a dangerous future. Today we know better. We can make informed choices for our future - starting now. 
    Source: Sustainable Development in Real Estate by 
    Colliers International