THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN ADAPTATION OF GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM IN NEPAL

Abstract

Nepal especially Kathmandu Valley is highly rich in huge number of residences and users from all over the country which is major source of increasing Greenhouse Gas emission and CO2 footprints. Haphazardly mushrooming concrete jungle without proper planning, environmental consciousness and future vision is the big, alarming sign of degradation of its beauty and environment. Nepal is leading towards "grey rather than green". Electricity consumption growing rate of approximately 10% per year and the total energy consumption at a rate of 2.4% per year is in increasing order. At present context, the depletion of energy resources and the risk of climate change is demanding for a sustainable development path based on renewable energies and energy efficiency. Therefore, incorporating green features in buildings can substantially save energy, water consumption, and reduce GHG emissions. Green Building Rating System provides framework for healthy, efficient, carbon and cost saving green buildings. It helps the building industry to move toward sustainable development and enhances performance, durability, aesthetic, and sustainability of built environment. In many developed and developing countries, there is a minimum mandatory rule for rating system. Rating of building helps user to know and aware about how much his/ her houses consume energy and reduce; not only energy consumption but also reduces the energy expenses. The knowledge about energy efficiency, green building, green features, design parameters and Green Building Rating System is very low among the general public and most of the technical persons and is the reason why still Green Building Rating System is still not implemented in Nepal. There is a very low demand of Green Building Rating system in Nepal due to the lack of awareness both social and cultural. Lack of education, lack of proper and mandatory green building related guidelines and lack of skilled manpower and technology are the major challenges. Group of renowned Architects and experts of Nepal were involved and tried their best with green building projects to register under LEED certification but was failure to get the certificate. Additionally, draft of ERA guidelines (preliminary) prepared by the group of pioneer Architects of Nepal was the initiation towards establishment of own building rating system in Nepal. Green Building Rating System will be the solution for energy optimization and will mark a turning point for the green design and green movement in building industry in Nepal.