New green building code launched today to raise costs by 5%: BEE DG

But savings in energy can be as high as 50%; new code could play big role in India's climate goals

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency on Wednesday launched a code for new commercial buildings in the country. In an interview with Jyoti Mukul, Abhay Bakre, director-general, BEE, says there could be a 5 per cent increase in building cost, but the savings in energy could be as high as 50 per cent. Edited excerpts:

How was the new building code designed? 

The code development process was a participative exercise led by the BEE. Five working groups comprising architects, energy experts and institutions oversaw and advised the process. The working group members were among those instrumental in developing codes for states in the