BWI: TERI and HUDCO Sign MoU for Promotion of Green Buildings and Energy Conservation in Urban Sector

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 03:38 PM IST (10:08 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Environment; Business: Banking & financial services, Business services, Energy companies, Financial Analyst, Media & entertainment
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TERI and HUDCO Sign MoU for Promotion of Green Buildings and Energy Conservation in Urban Sector


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Tuesday, September 13, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- The Energy and Resources Institute today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Housing And Urban Development Corporation Ltd (HUDCO) to encourage energy conservation in urban areas /cities.

-Energy conservation is a key issue for India with its power and energy shortages. There is a growing concern over the likely adverse impact of climate change and recognition of the fact that effective steps are needed to be taken for reduction of Green House Gas Emission. Buildings are responsible for at least 40 per cent of energy use in most countries and are major contributors to global emissions. Energy efficiency in buildings is very crucial in Indian context since construction sector is growing at a very fast pace.

-- The MoU was signed today between, Dr R K Pachauri, Director General, TERI, and Mr. V P Baligar, Chairman & Managing Director, HUDCO at the HUDCO office, India Habitat Centre.

Speaking at event, Dr R K Pachauri, Director General, TERI, said, "With the high rates of economic growth that India is registering and is likely to achieve in the future, a major expansion in infrastructure is bound to take place in the coming years. To ensure efficient use of resources, including energy, lower levels of environmental impacts and meeting the challenge of climate change, it is essential that we carry out greening of India's infrastructure. The MoU between HUDCO and TERI represents a major partnership to achieve the establishment of green infrastructure in this country with multiple benefits to society."

Both TERI and HUDCO are thought builders in the area of sustainable building design. While HUDCO is a premier techno financing institution of India in the field of housing and urban development, TERI is credited with developing GRIHA, India's National Rating System for Green buildings which is endorsed by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. Through this memorandum of understanding, the two organisations have agreed to jointly promote the cause of green building design.

-- Mr. V P Baligar, Chairman & Managing Director, HUDCO, said, "Under the purview of this MoU, TERI and HUDCO have agreed to promote Government of India's directive that all buildings constructed by the Central Government/PSUs should at least aim to achieve three star rating of green building, meaning thereby that the energy conservation shall be central focus, in planning, design and construction. I am happy we are partnering with TERI, which is already spreading the governments mandate in the sustainable buildings area". HUDCO has also instituted an award on best practices for energy efficiency in urban sector.

-- TERI and HUDCO also agreed to work together for capacity building activities at various levels - Government and Non-Government sectors of providing faculties and train the trainers. The local authorities and other role players shall be the focus and the international network of likeminded institutions shall be roped in for capacity building, in the sector. Together they propose to develop appropriate design solution and to generate consultancy assignment with special emphasis on energy efficiency for both the organisations. TERI and HUDCO also agreed to set up a joint team for identifying and undertaking tasks on the identified areas of action or areas of mutual cooperation with in mutually agreed time frame.

-- The major areas of cooperation are:

-- Promotional Activities
-- Incentive Package
-- Capacity Building
-- Joint Research
-- Consultancy

This year's theme for "World Habitat Day's" celebrations is also 'Cities and Climate Change'.

About HUDCO:

The Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO), a Government Company is a premier techno financing institution of India in the field of housing and urban development. Its mission is to promote sustainable habitat development to enhance the quality of life; and envisions itself among the world's leading knowledge hubs and financial facilitation organizations for habitat development. HUDCO is also providing technical consultancy assistance in addition to research and capacity building in the housing and urban development sector.

About TERI

TERI, a not-for-profit, independent research organization, is a dynamic and flexible organization with a global vision and a local focus that was established in 1974. While in the initial period the focus was mainly on documentation and information dissemination activities, research activities in the fields of energy, environment and sustainable development were initiated towards the end of 1982. The genesis of these activities lay in TERI's firm belief that efficient utilization of energy, sustainable use of natural resources, and large-scale adoption of renewable energy technologies and reduction of all forms of waste would move the process of development towards the goal of sustainability.


CONTACT DETAILS
Rajiv Chhibber, TERI, +91 9810426698, rajivc@teri.res.in
Ramesh K Safaya, HUDCO, +91 9810377066

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENVIRONMENT, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, ENERGY, Financial Analyst, MEDIA

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