Latest news with #EnergyConservationBuildingCode
Mint
22-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
What is a green lease? A guide for Mumbai tenants and landlords
I am a 29-year-old IT professional looking to rent a home in Mumbai from a 55-year-old. What is a green lease and what are its key clauses, legal obligations and how can the tenant and landlord align with those regulations? -Name withheld on request A green lease is a rental agreement that includes clauses aimed at reducing a property's environmental footprint through sustainable practices. These leases promote energy efficiency, water conservation, and responsible waste management. In Mumbai, where environmental concerns and regulatory oversight are increasing, green leases are gaining relevance, especially in newer housing developments. Green leases typically feature provisions encouraging both landlord and tenant to adopt eco-friendly practices. Some common clauses include: Energy Efficiency: Use of LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and switching off unused devices to reduce electricity consumption. Water Conservation: Installation and maintenance of water-saving fixtures such as low-flow taps and dual-flush toilets. Waste Management: Obligations for tenants to segregate and recycle waste, with landlords responsible for providing adequate facilities. Sustainable Materials: Use of eco-friendly or recycled materials for repairs, upgrades, or renovations. Collaborative Governance: Establishing an environmental management plan or committee to ensure both parties work together on sustainability goals. Service Charge Adjustments: Allowing for eco-friendly upgrades (e.g., solar panels) to be covered through service charges, if mutually agreed upon. While India doesn't mandate green leases specifically, such agreements must comply with the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999, which governs rental arrangements, including the need for written and registered agreements. In addition, landlords and tenants must adhere to: Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) standards for energy efficiency, especially in newer buildings. Municipal rules, such as those enforced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which mandate waste segregation at source and proper disposal practices. Failure to comply with these obligations—especially if spelled out in the lease—could constitute a breach of contract. To ensure alignment with green goals and legal requirements, both parties—Mr. A (the tenant) and Mr. B (the landlord)—should: Clearly define responsibilities in the lease, such as recycling practices or limits on energy usage. Register the lease in accordance with the Maharashtra Rent Control Act for legal validity. Consult a legal advisor to ensure the lease complies with ECBC norms and BMC guidelines. Discuss cost-sharing arrangements for eco-friendly upgrades to avoid disputes during the tenancy. By setting clear expectations and cooperating on sustainability goals, both tenant and landlord can contribute to a greener, more efficient living environment. Aditya Chopra, managing partner, and Moxy Shah, associate, The VictoriamLegalis(TVL)
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Karnataka's greenhouse gas emissions could exceed 400 MT by 2050: Report
Karnataka's greenhouse gas emissions could exceed 400 million tonnes (MT) by 2050, states a new report by not-for-profit research organisation CSTEP. Though the emissions could exceed 400 MT by 2050, emissions can be cut to 50 MT, mainly through electrification, renewable energy, and demand-side interventions, the report, titled 'Namma SAFARI: Low-Carbon Development Pathways for Karnataka,' said. Six key factors Namma SAFARI is Karnataka's first integrated system dynamics model, mapping long-term interactions across six key sectors — energy, transport, industry, buildings, agriculture, and land use — till 2050. Developed by CSTEP, the model supports evidence-based planning for a low-carbon, sustainable future. 'The model projects Karnataka's population will cross 75 million by 2050, with its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) rising to ₹128 lakh crore (2011 constant prices). Under a business-as-usual path, greenhouse gas emissions could exceed 400 MT by 2050. However, a low-carbon scenario, informed by expert consultations, shows emissions can be cut to ~50 MT, mainly through electrification, renewable energy, and demand-side interventions,' CSTEP said. The report also highlighted that in the buildings sector, electricity demand could reach 40% of total use by 2050. 'The low-carbon path reduces this by 25% through passive cooling, green construction, and rooftop solar. Enforcing energy codes such as Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) is key,' it added. Role of industry It further stated that industry is the largest contributor to electricity demand and emissions. 'To guarantee demand and drive economies of scale, a mandate for a minimum share (~25%) of public infrastructure projects to use certified green cement or steel, along with preferential pricing for compliance, would boost investment in low-carbon production. Decarbonising these industries also has other co-benefits,' it said. The other highlights of the report are in agriculture, which currently uses ~30% of the State's electricity; demand drops to zero in the low-carbon case through off-grid solar irrigation. 'Scaling up minimum support price coverage for crops such as millets, pulses, and oilseeds (currently just 8%) will support this shift,' CSTEP said. 'For transport, shifting 33% of freight to rail by 2030 could save 50 crore litres of diesel annually. Electrification doubles power demand to ~54.5 TWh by 2050. Incentives for rail, improved logistics, and electric vehicle (EV) expansion are needed,' it further added.
Hans India
28-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
AP's first super ECBC hub launched in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam: Energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) facility at Sagar Nagar here on Friday, calling it a milestone in integrating green design with public infrastructure. He described the centre as a reflection of the government's focus on sustainable development and energy efficiency. The minister urged power utilities to speed up the target of 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, with a minimum of 10,000 in each Assembly constituency. He also highlighted the government's commitment to uninterrupted 9-hour daytime power supply for farmers, especially under the PM-KUSUM solar irrigation scheme. The Super ECBC facility will function as a state-level training centre for the power sector workforce—from linemen to Chief Engineers. It houses SCADA, RMU, transformer, and meter testing labs, and will also offer induction training to new recruits. 'We aim to make this the best training centre in the country,' said Ravi Kumar. He announced that 180 compassionate appointments had been made in the last 18 months and assured that Rs 5 lakh was given without delay to each family affected by fatal work-related accidents. The minister also reaffirmed the government's goal to provide power to remote tribal and forest areas. Chief secretary K Vijayanand said the new facility doubles as a demonstration model for ECBC standards. APEPDCL CMD Prudhvi Tej Immadi said AT&C losses were reduced from 10.1 per cent to 7.5 per cent and distribution losses from 6.5 per cent to 5.8 per cent. MP M Sribharat and MLC Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao praised APEPDCL's role in reforms and project execution. District collector M N Harendhira Prasad, MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, and senior officials also attended.
New Indian Express
28-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
ECBC building inaugurated in Vizag
VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agriculture under PM-KUSUM and noted that 180 compassionate appointments were made in 18 months. Chief Secretary K Vijayanand said the building, equipped with SCADA, RMU, transformer, and meter labs, would serve as a model for energy efficiency. He suggested a governing body for its optimal use. Despite peak demand of 13,000 MW, the State supplied 254 MU daily. MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, MP Sribharat, and MLC V Chiranjeevi Rao praised the solar initiatives. APEPDCL CMD I Prudhvi Tej reported reduced AT&C losses and high complaint resolution.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
First energy-efficient building of Andhra Pradesh to be inaugurated in Vizag today
The first super Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) building of Andhra Pradesh, constructed at a cost of ₹14 crore in Sagar Nagar will be inaugurated by Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on June 27. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has sponsored the building with a capital expenditure of ₹5 crore. Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) built it to conduct training camps for the discom staff from 11 districts. This G+2 building has two floors of 14,400 sft each. 'Constructed on the energy efficiency model and equipped with energy-efficient appliances, the building will help save electricity bills,' APEPDCL CMD I. Prudhvitej said. The four important energy-efficiency components of the building are sunlight management with proper window dimensions, use of star-rated electrical appliances, variable refrigerant volume AC and renewable energy systems. All the walls are constructed with cavity walls (walls constructed with two layers of masonry). The outer wall is 8 inches, while the inner wall is 4 inches, with an air gap of 4 inches. With a total wall of 16 inches, triple AAC blocks have been used. Similarly, the windows have also been constructed with three layers of glass panels with a six-inch gap between panels. An under-deck ceiling has been used. A 50 mm rock wood has been used in ceiling, with an air gap between the layers. 'A 50 kW solar roof-top panel has been installed on this building. It is a unique and first such model in the State,' Mr. Prudhvitej said. A senior BEE official from New Delhi told The Hindu that the ECBC was designed to improve energy efficiency in new commercial buildings across the country, and was launched by the Ministry of Power in May 2007. The ECBC sets minimum energy standards for new commercial buildings with a contract demand of 100 kW or 120 kVA or more. At present, the commercial building sector in India is expanding rapidly at over 9% per annum due to strong growth in the services sector. 'Considering the high growth rate in the commercial building sector, the BEE has introduced the ECBC as a voluntary policy measure to reduce the negative impact of buildings on the environment,' the BEE official said. The targeted beneficiaries of the ECBC are mostly urban local bodies, corporations, power utilities, architects, engineers, builders, firms, developers and even civil engineering students, he added.
