Enviro-Committee Presents: ‘NetZero Buildings-A Dream, Reality or Necessity?’

The Environment Committee of RCB for 2015-16 has been pursuing the introduction and capacity enhancement of solar power and cost-effective water management in Mumbai. It is working on setting up solar-powered street lights blending with the prevailing heritage structure at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) museum, and working on sewage treatment/water harvesting projects with the Asiatic Library. They will also co-host a lecture series at CSMVS by experts on critical environment issues, the first of which will be held on 3rd December, 2015 at 6.00 pm at the auditorium, Visitors Centre, CSMVS, addressed by famed environmentalist, Dr. Prasad Modak. Dr. Modak is an alumnus of IIT Bombay and holds a Doctorate in Environmental Engineering.

He has worked with almost all key UN, multilateral and bilateral developmental institutions in the world. His expertise is globally sought after and has authored over 400 consulting reports. Currently, he is a Professor (Adjunct) at IIT Bombay’s Centre for Technology Alternatives in Rural Areas. His comprehensive professional repertoire includes a strategic consulting company – Environmental Management Centre LLP – that focuses on sustainability. Dr. Modak’s address will be on understanding the concept of ‘NetZero Buildings – A dream, reality or necessity?’ Building operations consume water, electricity and generate wastes/emissions.

When demolished, these generate construction waste. In the past decade concepts like Green Credits, Green Building, Eco-houses have emerged leading to low-impact buildings. The concept of NetZero buildings has emerged where the buildings do not draw any fresh resource of water and energy and have zero emissions. How is this possible? Does it make an economic sense? Is the concept of NetZero limited only to the new buildings? What about the retrofits? Dr. Modak’s presentation provides answers to all of these questions, discusses case studies – including those from India and ends with a preview about the challenges and opportunities of likely trends in the future. The talk will provide the way forward for the Environment Committee of the RCB to better the welfare of the people of Mumbai.