Parliament building's energy audit recommended.

ISLAMABAD -- A parliamentary body on Thursday recommended to the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority to conduct energy efficiency audit of the parliament building to ascertain its share in conserving energy after it installed solar panels.

Furthermore, there is a need to conserve energy wherever possible in the larger interest of the country which is why solar panels must be installed in public buildings. This was highlighted during a parliamentary meeting on Thursday by members of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change.

The direction to conduct the audit came after members of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change discussed agenda items related to consideration of the public petition on the Green Building Initiative and international conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Nations (UN) in Geneva.

Officials from Ministry of Climate Change briefed committee members about agenda items and said that guidelines were available for the Green Building Initiative whereas codes to be followed were being prepared by the end of this month.

Need for proper disposal of solid waste stressed

Musaddiq Ahmed Khan said that the concept of Green Building was designed with an objective to protect people's health and aimed to create awareness on sustainable green buildings and reduce impacts of global warming and urban heat.

Urban agglomeration consumed approximately 80 percent of global energy out of which 40pc accounted for buildings, he said, adding that the new code would meet sustainable development goals (SDGs) pertaining to human settlements, production patterns and action to combat the impact of climate change.

Officials from the ministry explained to members that the initiative was for high-rise buildings and not houses and would not cause greenhouse effects but would rather help in clearing the effects of carbon emissions.

Chairperson of the committee Senator Seemee Ezdi emphasised on concrete steps for disposal of waste products. 'There is a need for energy conservation in the larger interest of the country and the example of the Parliament House in terms of energy conservation should be followed in all government offices,' she added.

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