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Comprehensive Green Rating system by CIDC

A New Initiative 

Efficacy of New Green Rating System - CCGR                                                            

In India, green rating of buildings is widely adopted by the construction industry. Globally, this has emerged as a popular tool in the construction sector to implement green norms during the execution of the projects. Depending on the magnitude of green measures adopted, the green building rating bodies award the buildings respectively. At present, GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) have been authorized to rate buildings in India. Following the footpath of the rating system is the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC). It has been jointly set up by the Planning Commission, Government of India and the Indian Construction Industry. The organization launched its edition of a green building rating system in December, 2011.

CIDC's Comprehensive Green Rating System (CCGR)

CIDC is aware of the fact that present rating system is only restricted to buildings and has neglected other infrastructural segments such as bridges, roads, power plants, dams and so on. With the overview of the existing green rating systems, CIDC felt the need to have their own rating system with the inclusion of few important aspects that were missing in the present system of rating.

The new CIDC Comprehensive Green Rating (CCGR) system intends to give a holistic picture, where the real environment-friendliness can be evaluated. It was felt there was a need for a certain organization that could possibly come out and determine the relative level of greenness of building.

The present rating systems focuses on minimising recurring energy consumption on account of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning) and lighting, and not including the vast quantum of energy embodied in the structure. Whereas, in CIDC's  green building rating system, the evaluation of embodied energy shall be done using an Energy Consumption Schedule, prepared by CIDC for more than 450 items and activities. 

Criteria for CCGR

Site Environment and Natural Resource Optimisation

Points are awarded for site selection and compliance with statutory regulations, planning for preservation of landscape and surroundings, and soil protection. As far as natural resource optimisation is concerned, the rating system takes into consideration the planning for use of water during construction; conventional energy optimisation; generation and utilisation of renewable energy, and use of lighting systems.

Points are also awarded for activities such as rainwater harvesting, waste water recovery and solid waste management - during construction as well as operational phases of a building.

Hygiene, Health and Human Environment

Proper emphasis has been placed on allocating points for keeping the pollution level of the construction site and its surroundings in check; optimising water quality for human consumption; air circulation, and accessibility for the disabled.

Building Materials Embodied Energy Optimisation

In case of several buildings rated as 'green,' the materials used have large embodied energy, thus making the rating system subject to review. The system devised by CIDC, however, looks into the optimisation of embodied energy of materials used in construction, in interiors, and the materials that are expected to be used during the lifetime of a building.

Resource Optimisation of Building Operations and Maintenance

It takes into account the energy audit systems for design and operations, and management systems for green related procurements and disposals.

Management Systems for Sustained Focus on Greenness of Building

Under this segment, points are awarded for quality of construction and employment of certified workers, documentation, recording and corrective measures during operations, training systems for green operations on an ongoing basis, and incentives for adoption of newer technologies and processes to improve the greenness of the building.

Implementation

For smooth functioning of the CCGR system, CIDC has constituted the Green National Advisory Committee (CGNAC), which is autonomous in nature. The experts are generally eminent people in their respective fields. The committee provides guidance and oversight to operations of CCGR, and issues advisories. It guides the administrative structure of CCGR, deciding the fee structure and giving reviews from time to time. The committee periodically reviews the ratings provided to buildings, and also gives valuable inputs with recommendations and modifications to upgrade the rating system.

Along with the CGNAC, there is yet another committee, known as the CCGR Technical Advisory Committee (CCGRTAC), comprising of eminent experts in all aspects of green rating. This committee provides technical support during the review process of the rating system.

Notable Achievements in HRD Initiatives

CIDC has associated with 3 National Universities and their active involvement is seen in all the stages of their current program. It has established more than 100 Training Centres across the country with adequate training facilities and has successfully disseminated various programs. It has included a prequalification condition in NHAI's tender documents stating a minimum of 5% of trained and certified workers to be employed in order to be eligible for any of the bid invited by NHAI. A Contract Clause has been introduced by Military Engineering Services for the Mandatory Employment of 25% trained and certified workforce in all contracts.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh (vide G.O.Ms.No.61 dated 11-04-2000 issued by Transport, Road & Buildings (R.III) Department) has introduced a voluntary cess of 0.25 percent to be deducted from the bill of all the civil contractors, this amount is deducted for training and certification activities of construction workers.  The Ministry of Labour (vide Office Order Ref No. DGET-17/1/5/2001-PCT (Pt) dated 08/05/2003) has authorized CIDC as the nodal agency for certification of construction workers under their scheme of "Certification of skills of workers in the Informal Sector" during 10th Five Year Plan. Under the National Skill Development Policy, CIDC is mandated to impart skills to 200 lakhs citizens by year 2022.

Chander Verma Chairman, CIDC

 CIDC Landmarks & Achievements 

CIDC has been the recipient of Golden Peacock National Training Award (2007-08) for the initiative "Holistic Human Resource Development (HHRD) for the Marginalized Segment of Indian Society". It set up the first Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Centre for Construction Contracts. It networks with National and International construction bodies. It helps in setting up of institutions to meet the challenges and opportunities thrown up in the era of Globalization and WTO. Initiatives for mutual recognition under Washington Accord are a case in point.

Other includes:

• Recognition of Construction Sector as an Industry.

• Development and application of systems for Construction Financing, Banking and Taxation.

• Development & Implementation of Grading System.

• Establishing a Construction Equipment Bank.

• Development of Insurance cover/ Investments for construction sector Projects.

• Development of RBI approved Harmonized Eligibility Criteria for Lending to Construction Entities

Affiliations and Authorisations

CIDC joined hands with Assam University, Silchar, Assam, Periyar Maniammai University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu and Indira Gandhi National Open University, to contribute towards the development of human resource in construction related areas and to design and implement education programs for professionals and construction workers. The Ministry of Labour, Govt. of India, DGET, CIDC as an Assessing Body - MOL has launched a Skill Development Initiative (SDI) to train, test & certify skills of persons, which shall increase employability and productivity to meet work force requirements and sustain global competitiveness.

• CIDC signed an MoU with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) with the purpose to explore collaborative initiatives that will address the skill requirements of the Construction Industry, both in India as well in Canada.
• Signed agreement with Chanakya Law University, Patna with a view to contribute towards  developing resources in the field of arbitration and dispute resolution related to the Construction Industry. 
• Signed MoU with Govt, of Haryana, to certify the skills of workmen in various grades already engaged in construction works and evolvement of the same and recognition through informal modes of training.
• Signed MoU with Govt. of Bihar, to upgrade skills and knowledge of workmen, already having skills imparted by the ITI's of various states and to produce world class work force and training, testing and certification of urban unemployed youth in the construction sector under the . SGSY Scheme.
• Signed MoU with Govt. of Madhya Pradesh with the purpose of development of human resource in the construction sector through testing & certification; to recognize and create avenues for suitable livelihoods and to improve the quality of construction works and develop a world class workforce.
• Signed MoU with Chhattisgarh Housing Board, Govt. of Chhattisgarh, to train and certify masons. An MoU with Naya Raipur Development Authority, Govt. of Chhattisgarh has also been signed to provide training in construction trades to the Project Affected Persons (PAP) of Rekhi Village and to enable them to become employable in various organisations.
• Signed MoU with SC/ ST/ OBC/ Minorities/ Handicapped Finance Development Corporation, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, to develop a system to certify and recognise the available skills of slum dwellers in Delhi. 
• MoU signed with Govt. of Rajasthan, for testing and certification of the skill sets of workmen who have acquired their skills through either family traditions or by virtue of being employed in Construction Industry for a substantial period and to impart training under Self Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers  (SRMS) of Rajasthan State.
• MoU signed with Govt., of Andhra Pradesh, to impart short duration training (1 week) to woman sub committee members of Mandal Mahila Samakhyas and to impart short duration construction related training to the unemployed youth of the state. 
• CIDC signed Memorandum of Cooperation with Singhania University, Pacheri Bari (Distt. Jhujhunu, Rajasthan), Mewar University, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) and Teerthanker Mahaveer University (TMU), to enhance industry-academia interaction for required modifications in the working dynamics of academic and R&D activities to meet the needs of the industry. 
• Odisha State Employment Mission Society (OSEMS), Employment & Technical Education & Training Department, Govt. of Odisha entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the CIDC for skill development of human resources & placement of un-employed youth in the state in construction sector.
• CIDC has entered into an MOU with NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) to jointly train and certify "Workers and Supervisors through NIOS-CIDC certification".

Association with Corporates 

• MoU signed with Universal Construction Machinery and Equipments Ltd., for training of electricians, concrete mixer operators, land surveyors, bar benders, masons, mechanics and welders.
• Signed an MoU with Escorts Construction Equipment Ltd., training of operators for the construction equipment being manufactured and marketed by ECEL at the ECEL Training Centres at Faridbad and Bangalore.
• Signed MoU with Reliance Energy Ltd. For providing training to the project affectedpersons in REL's two ultra mega plants at Sasan and Krishnapatnam.
• Signed MoU with SEW Construction Ltd., to cater to the in house training requirements of SEW Constrcution by setting up a dedicated Training Centre to train, test and certify their employees as per their specific needs.
• Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) signed an MoU, to utilize the services of CIDC for employment linked training programme in the construction sector for the Project Affected Persons.
• CIDC has entered into an MoU with Institute for Steel Development & Growth (INSDAG) on 11th May, 2012, to cooperate and work together to achieve higher consumption of steel and steel products by Construction Industry.

 It is worthwhile to mention that apart from initiatives at the domestic front, CIDC is also receiving active support in its endeavours from several important global organisations as well, such as 

• International Labour Organisation (in propagating values, norms & procedures on Safety and quality among construction workers).
• SAARC Construction Industry Council
• Asian Forum, Japan
• Asian Concrete Institute, Japan