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Original Article
ISSN (Online): 2350-0530
ISSN (Print): 2394-3629
International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH
June 2023 11(6), 66–82
How to cite this article (APA): Sharma, I., Bajracharya, S. B., and Pokharel, A. (2023). The Challenges and Opportunities in
Adaptation of Green Building Rating System in Nepal. International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH, 11(6), 66–82. doi:
10.29121/granthaalayah.v11.i6.2023.5210
66
THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN ADAPTATION OF GREEN BUILDING
RATING SYSTEM IN NEPAL
Ar. Itiza Sharma 1, Dr. Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya 2 , Er. Aashika Pokharel 3
1 Senior Architect/ Managing Director, Architecture Department, Nepal Engineering College, Kathmandu, Nepal, India
2 Assistant Dean, Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Hariharbhawan, Lalitpur, India
3 Department of Road/ Senior Divisional Engineer, Kathmandu, Nepal, India
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.
Received 14 May 2023
Accepted 15 June 2023
Published 30 June 2023
Corresponding Author
Itiza Sharma, itizasharma@gmail.com
DOI
10.29121/granthaalayah.v11.i6.2023
.5210
Funding:
This research received no
specific grant from any funding agency in
the public, commercial, or not-for-profit
sectors.
Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s).
This work is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0
International License.
With the license CC-BY, authors retain
the copyright, allowing anyone to
download, reuse, re-print, modify,
distribute, and/or copy their
contribution. The work must be
properly attributed to its author.
Keywords: Footprints, Green Building, Rating System, Green, Climate Change,
Sustainable, Efficiency
1. INTRODUCTION
Nepal facing budget gap Mishra & Aithal (2021), Mishra & Aithal (2021) can
adopt green environment policy to manage it as frequently suggested that green
environmental perspective can help to avoid unnatural maintenance expenses
The Challenges and Opportunities in Adaptation of Green Building Rating System in Nepal
International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH
67
Mishra & Aithal (2022). “A green building is one which uses less water, optimizes
energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides
healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building.” Green
buildings refer to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible
and resource efficient throughout the building lifecycle, from sitting to design,
construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition holding various
environmental effects Mishra and Rai (2017). Green building, in the true sense of
concern for environmental impact, is an increasingly important aspect to new
construction and renovation. Effects range in scale from local, such as displacement
of ecological habitats, to global, such as greenhouse gas emission ultimately leading
to global warming and climate change. Similarly, operation period will have
pollutants emission both directly and indirectly. Green building practices and
technologies seek to address these foreseeable adverse environmental effects. The
increasing demand of housing and insufficient supply of the same raises the
questions and strong demand for searching new ways to fulfil it Mishra et al. (2020),
Mishra & Shah (2018) , Mishra (2019)
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) state that the Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED "encourages and accelerates global
adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the
creation and implementation. LEED certification process is globally recognized as a
symbol of sustainability achievement. Development of the program marks a turning
point for the design and construction industries. Over 91 countries have LEED
projects. "LEED" green building rating programs, represent a critical development
within the green movement as it encourages designers and builders to reevaluate
current construction practices and focus sustainability of building. "LEED" certified
buildings save at least 50% of the energy used by a comparable non- certified
building. Different green building rating systems have been developed around the
world following LEED categories at first with gradual modification according to
requirement and naming it differently.
Green building design is a growing field within architectural design. It has
emerged in the construction industry as the practice of designing, constructing, and
operating facilities in such a manner that their environmental impact, which has
become a great concern of construction professionals, can be minimized. "The
construction material in use today should be sustainable and "Green solutions has
to be developed to meet the emerging needs. As buildings are one of the major
Itiza Sharma, Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya, and Aashika Pokharel
International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH
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contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, there is a need to promote green building
concept by both the private sector and the government in Nepal. With the increasing
energy demand, consumption and release, the traditional practices of construction
process and management are found unable to control unprecedented challenges
including the carbon emission issue. It is found that passive design building is highly
green but do not cover requirements in case of multistoried green buildings.
Figure 1
Figure 1 Energy Consumption by Sector (WECS, 2010)
Green building rating system is very essential key to move the construction
industry toward sustainability but adoption of it of other developed country in
different context cannot cover all the issues of sustainability of Kathmandu Valley
and Nepal. LEED give maximum priority to its energy and atmosphere category and
emphasis on using mechanical system but in Nepal's context, more emphasis should
be given to the production of renewable energy, water management, waste
management, quality of local materials and integrated process for better validity of
work culture.
Figure 2
Figure 2 Residential Primary Energy Consumption, 2010 Buildings Energy Data Book
Numerous practices and efforts have been evolved previously in building
industry in Nepal for the development of green buildings over the last two decades.
Architect Bibhuti Man Singh, Architect Sushil Bajracharya with their involvement in
Green Home Project was a very effective approach towards green movement. In
The Challenges and Opportunities in Adaptation of Green Building Rating System in Nepal
International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH
69
spite of these efforts, building practices do not seem to have undergone any
tremendous, marked changes. The reasons for and/or against participation in green
building rating programs on behalf of businesses involved in construction speak
volumes as to where the industry is headed. Rating/Labeling systems of building is
gaining popularity in present due to ease in measure of energy efficiency and
emission worldwide. Other Architect Ujjwal Man Singh, LEED AP Sujata Tuladhar,
Architect Sona Prajapati were highly involved in green projects. Similarly in 2015
thesis research was also done by Architect Saurabha Shakya of IOE on Sustainable
Building Rating System (SBR) for Nepal- With a case in Kathmandu Valley.
2. LIMITATIONS
• Using the term of construction works, it only concern with buildings.
• The research was focused inside Kathmandu Valley Only.
• Case study was done based on the green projects that followed LEED
credits.
• The LEED analysis was focused on Building Design and Construction for
• Commercial and residential building, apartments.
• The recommendations are based on the case study, Qualitative Analysis
(Interviews).
3. OBJECTIVE
The overall objective of this research was to analyze the challenges and
opportunities in adaptation of green building rating system in Building industry in
Nepal. The specific objectives of this research were:
• To analyze the challenges in adaptation of green building rating system in
Building industry in Nepal.
• To identify the opportunities in adaptation of green building rating system
in Building industry in Nepal.
4. METHODOLOGY
Research Methodology provides the systematic process of describing research
questions, research objectives, methods of data collection, data analysis, and
defining results and discussions. The research was based on the quantitative as well
as qualitative approach for the entire research. For this, quantitative survey was
done with 35 respondents and qualitative with 20 professionals, clients,
consultants, contractor, and LEED professionals regarding green building projects.
The study population for the research was based on the selected number of
completed green building projects.
The sample number selection varied in different projects that are taken on the
basis of features and its expertise involvement in the relative project. The study
population consisted of the client, consultant, and contractor; corporate heads
involved in the green projects. Primary data were the basis of this research. For the
collection of primary data, field observation, questionnaire survey and key
informant interviews (KII) were done. Field observation was done by visiting four
numbers of rated building and two numbers of non-rated building for this research.
For questionnaire survey, set of separate questions was designed for the client,
consultant and contractor representatives worked in the green building projects
Itiza Sharma, Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya, and Aashika Pokharel
International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH
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regarding construction of green building and its environmental impact, the
challenges, opportunities, and applicability of green building rating system in
Kathmandu Valley. Similarly, for KII set of open-ended questions were prepared
focusing on key informant. All total twenty-two number of professionals were
selected for KII. Thus, primary information regarding green building construction
and its environmental impact, the challenges, barriers, opportunities, and
applicability of green building rating system in opportunities, ley were collected.
Figure 3
Figure 3 Methodological Framework of Research
Secondary data were gathered from national and international articles,
published journals, reports, previous thesis and dissertation, conference papers,
websites, published documents, literature, government acts and regulations,
technical support documents, documents from websites and other related
documents. Nepal Green Building Guidelines and other reference guide of LEED
were referred for knowledge gain. The whole population from all six projects i.e., 35
respondents were considered as the sample size for this study. The sample number
selection varied in different projects that are taken on the basis of features and its
expertise involvement in the relative project.
Table 1
Table 1 List of Respondents from the Client, Consultant and Contractor
S. No. Project’ Name Client
Representative
Consultant
Representative
Contractor
Representative
Total
1 Crystal Palace Tahachal,
Kathmandu
1 2 1 4
The Challenges and Opportunities in Adaptation of Green Building Rating System in Nepal
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71
2 Central Park Apartment
Bishalnagar, Kathmandu
2 2 1 5
3 Hama Iron and Steel
Building-Kamladi,
Kathmandu
2 3 3 8
4 Siddhi Poly Path Lab-
Dillibazar, Kathmandu
2 3 3 8
5 Mato Ghar-
Budhanilkantha,
Kathmandu
2 2 2 6
6 Pyramid House-Thaiba,
Lalitpur
1 2 1 4
Total 10 14 11 35
Data analysis was done based on the data collected from the questionnaire was
analyzed using the Microsoft Excel application and for ranking the factors overall
using the Simple weightage method. Before analysis began, several preliminary
processes were adapted: editing data, addressing blank responses, categorizing
data, producing data files, and doing few relative calculations. These procedures
were designed to assure data consistency and allow for meaningful interpretation
of results.
Figure 4
Figure 4 Respondents Participation in Questionnaire Survey
Validity measures the degree of agreement of the results or conclusions
withdrawn from the research questionnaire with the real world. High validity is the
absence of systematic errors in the measuring instrument. The result of the previous
research was also in agreement with the result drawn from the questionnaire
survey in this thesis. The questionnaire was prepared with the help of LEED
professional, Architects, Engineers involved in green building projects. And finally
guided and approved by the supervisor. The questionnaire set was prepared and
used for this research was tested for Reliability Test. The questionnaire set
consisted of 69 items in questionnaire. To measure internal consistency of the
questionnaire, it was subjected to Cronbach's alpha test by importing excel sheet in
SPSS and the obtained Cronbach's Alpha Value was 0.963 which shows the excellent
range of result.
Itiza Sharma, Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya, and Aashika Pokharel
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Table 2
Table 2 Cronbach’s Alpha Level of Reliability
Cronbach’s Alpha Value
Internal Consistency
α ≥ 0.9 Excellent
0.9 > α ≥ 0.8
Good
0.8 > α ≥ 0.7
Acceptable
0.7 > α ≥ 0.6
Questionable
0.6 > α ≥ 0.5
Poor
0.5 > α
Unacceptable
Source Bujang, et al., 2018
5. CASE STUDIES
Kathmandu Valley was selected as study area for this research. For the selection
of the projects inside Kathmandu and Lalitpur district, 4 numbers of green building
projects applied for LEED certification as rated and 2 numbers of buildings with
application of green technology only but not applied for LEED certification as non-
rated buildings were taken as study projects. As there are limited projects on count
with green technology application and applied for LEED certification, the study was
conducted in different apartments and corporate buildings with LEED credits.
Table 3
Table 3 List of Projects Registered for LEED Certification
S. No. Building Location Building
Type
Owner/ Investor GBRS Built-up
Area
Registered
Date
1 Central Park
Apartment
Bishalnagar,
Kathmandu
Apartment Clean Developers
Pvt. Ltd.
LEED CS
2.0
73,286 Sq.ft. 23/06/2009
2 Butwal Power
Company
Buddhanaga,
Kathmandu
Corporate Butwal Power
Company Ltd.
LEED NC
2009
56,760 Sq.ft. 16/06/2010
3 Crystal Palace Tahachal,
Kathmandu
Apartment Technical Interface LEED NC
2010
325,392 Sq.ft. 18/06/2010
4 Hama Iron and
Steel Building
Kamaladi,
Kathmandu
Corporate Hama Iron and
Steel
LEED NC
2009
68,942 Sq.ft. 23/08/2010
5 Siddhi Poly Path
Lab
Dillibazar,
Kathmandu
Healthcare Siddhi Poly Clinic LEED NC
2009
10,196 Sq.ft. 05/09/2010
6 Corporate Office
of Sipradi
Thapathali,
Kathmandu
Corporate Sipradi Trading
Pvt. Ltd.
LEED NC
2009
36,196 Sq.ft. 23/02/2013
7 Annex Block,
Kathmandu Mall
Sundhara,
Kathmandu
Religious
Worship
Happy Science
International
LEED NC
2009
5940 Sq.ft. 19/05/2013
8 Buddha Lifestyle
Scheme
Baluwatar,
Kathmandu
Corporate Buddha lifestyle
Pvt. Ltd.
LEED NC
2012
13,364 Sq.ft. 02/06/2013
9 Buddha Lifestyle
Scheme
Baluwatar,
Kathmandu
Corporate Buddha lifestyle
Pvt. Ltd.
LEED NC
2009
33,304 Sq.ft. 16/05/2014
10 Marriot Hotel,
Thamel
Thamel,
Kathmandu
Hotel Everest Hospitality
and Hotel Pvt. Ltd.
LEED NC
2009
265,103 Sq.ft. 16/12/2015
11 Soaltee
Westened
Premiere
Main Chowk,
Nepalgunj
Hotel Soaltee Sibkrim
Hotels and Resort
LEED NC
2009
84,034 Sq.ft. 21/10/2016
The Challenges and Opportunities in Adaptation of Green Building Rating System in Nepal
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Case study of four numbers of green rated building and two numbers of non –
rated building of Kathmandu and Lalitpur district were done. Its comparison helped
to know the present green building scenarios inside Kathmandu Valley. For the
rated building, Crystal City at Tahachal, Hama Iron and Steel building at Kamaladi,
Siddhi Poly Path Lab at Dillibazar and Central Park Apartment, Bishalnagar were
selected. But due to numerous reasons including high cost, time to time design
change and building use requirements from client, lack of confident Heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) team these buildings were unable to get
LEED certificate.
Figure 5
Figure 5 (a) Crystal City Apartment, Tahachal (b) Siddhi Poly Path Lab, Charkhal
Source crystalcitytahachal.com.np Source Siddhilab.com.np
Figure 6
Figure 6 (a) Central Park Apartment External View (b)Hama Iron and Steel Building, Kamaladi
Source centralparkapartment.com.np Source Siddhilab.com.np
5.1. GREEN BUILDING FEATURES
In case studies it was found to get the LEED rated certificate for a building,
different green building features had been used to make it sustainable like:
• Photovoltaic System
• Insulated Walls and openings
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• VRV HVAC System
• Winter Heat Recovery and Circulation
• Energy Efficient Lighting Techniques
• Thermal Displacement Ventilation
• Eco- Friendly Refrigerant
• Green Roof
• Maximum use of glass for Daylighting
• Building Integrated Energy Management System
As the environmental impacts of buildings has become more apparent these
days, the planners in the country have started discussing the concept of green homes
to create healthier and more resource- efficient building construction. Especially
Architecture firm has really taken initiation toward green building construction and
trying to verify green buildings designed by them to motivate the construction
industries toward sustainable development. There is no specific rules and
regulations to follow for design and construction of such kind of building in Nepal
and also there is still no any green building rating system of Nepal till date that
measures the features of such buildings. As a result, the consultant who are really
concerned about the environment and who really wants to work toward green
projects in Nepal are forced to implement Green Building Rating System of other
countries.
Figure 7
Figure 7 (a) Matoghar Exterior View (b) Pyramid House
Source Prabal Thapa Architects Source Innovative Createers Pvt. Ltd.
6. OBSERVATION, STUDY AND ANALYSIS
6.1. QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY RESPONSE
6.1.1. FAMILIARITY WITH GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM
Figure 4 shows, all the expertise is aware and familiar with green building
rating system as the selected respondents for questionnaire are already involved in
the green projects. After questionnaire survey, it was found 57.14% of the
professionals are familiar with LEED rating system, 17.14% LEED and GRIHA,
14.28% LEED, GRIHA and BREEAM, 8.58% LEED, GRIHA, BREEAM and CASBEE and
2.86% LEED and LBC. From the analysis, it shows LEED is very popular and comes
first among all the green building rating systems.
The Challenges and Opportunities in Adaptation of Green Building Rating System in Nepal
International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH
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Figure 8
Figure 8 Familiarity with Green Building Rating System
6.1.2. CHALLENGES FOR ADAPTING GREEN BUILDING RATING
SYSTEM
Figure 7 shows the result of analysis of the challenges for adapting Green
Building Rating System. Analysis of data was done and result shows the highest
value for lack of awareness with 45.71%, secondly 25.71% for project high
investment cost, 14.29% for proper guidelines, 8.58% for lack of skilled manpower
and technology, and least value of 5.71% for lack of education.
Figure 9
Figure 9 Familiarity with Green Building Rating System
6.1.3. OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREEN BUILDING RATING
SYSTEM
Figure 7 shows the result of opportunities of adapting GBRS. From the result it
was found 45.71% majority for Ecological. Secondly, 34.28% for economical and
14.28% for social and cultural and 5.73% for advancement in professionalism. In
context of Nepal, traditional Nepalese vernacular architecture is passive design
techniques-based architecture which is already green. The main concept of
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establishment of GBRS was to save the environment by coming up with environment
friendly smart design with that directly supports ecology.
Figure 10
Figure 10 Opportunities of Green Building Rating System
6.2. KII RESPONSES
For this research, KII was done with 22 number of professionals including
Architects, Civil Engineer, Environmentalist, Climate Change Expert, Contractor,
Corporate Heads. During KII, very effective and helpful data were collected. Most of
the respondents had similar point of view regarding establishment of Green
Building Rating System in Nepal. Few effective selected discussions from KII are
mentioned below:
6.2.1. DISCUSSIONS FOR THE CHALLENGES IN ADAPTATION
OF GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM IN BUILDING
INDUSTRY IN KATHMANDU VALLEY
1) Discussion 1: Lack of LEED license holder professionals known as LEED AP
is major reason for the zero development in context of green buildings. As
previous failure examples for registration are mostly due to lack of green
projects experience. Also scarcity of other skilled technical persons with
fine experience in green technology and projects may be the reason that
green projects are lacking behind in Nepal.so, we should implement it
through building code and bylaws similar to other recommendations made
earlier Mishra (2019).
2) Discussion 2: Topography of Kathmandu is vulnerable with steep slopes
and irregular infrastructures as well. Government agencies, stakeholders
should focus on plot sizes which is main barrier as well to cover Green
Building Rating System criteria. Before implementation of GBRS, green
norms and guidelines should be developed and strictly apply in building
designs.
3) Discussion 3: Awareness Programmes are mendatory. No any awareness
programme are there relating environment and Green Building Rating
System. Strategies should be made for general public in Nepal because the
GBRS is known to very few and limited among few technical persons in case
of Nepal.
The Challenges and Opportunities in Adaptation of Green Building Rating System in Nepal
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4) Discussion 4: Variation in status and the living standard of people is the
main for the demand of Green Building Rating System. Everyone could not
afford. Obviously, the project cost initially goes high then general building
which may not be affordable for everyone with low income.
5) Discussion 5: Awareness and Education is major thing for the
establishment of GBRS in Nepal. Interested clients, Investors and designers
are there but lack of our own GBRS we are unable to rate the building as a
green and there are confusions rate up to what extent. So, lack of measuring
guidelines.
6) Discussion 6: Government agencies, stakeholders should focus and make
display of prototype of green buildings with its estimation so that it can be
easier for the visitors and public to compare with general buildings and
clearly visualize the differences.
7) Discussion 7: Before applicability of final version of GBRS for Nepal, RND
regarding GBRS should be established at least for 4 to 5 years until we get
the fine outlines of GBRS to establish.
6.2.2. DISCUSSIONS FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES OF GREEN
BUILDING RATING SYSTEM IN BUILDING INDUSTRY IN
KATHMANDU VALLEY
8) Discussion 8: Nepal should have its own contextual GBRS, selecting few
credits and prerequisites criteria from "LEED" to cover green guidelines.
GBRS in Nepal can be implemented and it will be very effective for green
movement in future.
9) Discussion 9: GBRS for Nepal especially for Kathmandu Valley will be very
effective regarding environmental issues. Kathmandu valley is contributing
towards climate change and proving its contribution for global warming
worldwide though the percentage is few but its in increasing order.
10) Discussion 10: LEED certificate for a building is like stars rating to hotels.
For Nepal, at first starting should be done from capital as it covers booming
construction and huge population to motivate. Incentives from
municipalities should be provided to users and tax credit availability should
be made for the user who made their building green to encourage them and
motivate others.
11) Discussion 11: GBRS will be very effective for upcoming future
environment friendly green buildings, Net Carbon building designs for the
designers. Mostly the designers at first should follow the environmental
guidelines which is lacking behind in a general design of building.
12) Discussion 12: Implementation of Green Building Rating System in Nepal
should be done according to climate and topography of three regions, as
availability of local materials construction technologies and landscape vary
in these three regions. Different locally available materials can be introduce.
13) Discussion 13: As GBRS focuses on reduction of GHG and CO2 footprints,
therefore for the increment in environmentally sound buildings GBRS is
highly applicable and mostly in demand in between designers, experts, and
planners.
14) Discussion 14: Green Building Rating System in Kathmandu is highly
applicable and will be effective as GBRS focuses on waste management, grey
water treatment, wastewater reuse, reuse of materials under different
Itiza Sharma, Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya, and Aashika Pokharel
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criterias which is the panic problem of today's context inside Kathmandu
Valley.
7. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
From the study, it is found that almost all of the consultant in Nepal are using
LEED for their building because there is no any building rating system of Nepal
implemented till date and LEED is the only green building rating system tool which
claims for its universal application as of Kumar et al. (2012).
Lack of awareness is found as major challenge for any green building project to
implement. Lack of awareness results lack of demand. Therefore, till date GBRS is
not in implemented in Nepal because there are very few demands for it. Those who
are familiar with GBRS and interested in doing green projects are able to get the
client who wants to invest extra high cost on their green building projects, but lack
of technical persons and manpower is the major challenge to work on green
projects. Lack of proper and mandatory guidelines for green buildings from
government agencies, stakeholders is another big challenge for establishment of
GBRS which is directly connected to the lack of skilled LEED AP, visionary planners,
and technical persons. It needs to be focused as it is one indicator for sustainable
development as well Mishra and Pokharel (2023), Parkin et al. (2003).
Ecology based design for Nepal is the main opportunity by the implementation
of Green Building Rating System. Including different categories focusing on the use
of available natural energy and resources, local materials, low transportation, re-use
of materials, waste and water management, grey water reuse GBRS will promote for
ecological design in Nepal. In long run it saves economy with reduction in electricity
and energy consumption cost though the initial cost may high be due to the design,
research, costly technology, and material used Santori (2007), Shahi (2013), Shakya
(2015), Utama and Gheewala (2009).
Building Bye- Laws of Nepal will get modified more in precise way including
different categories. Building rating system will enhance the value of the property.
Green Buildings will get recognition, also the building owners get incentives from
government if facility of provided by the government. The value of building also
increases after they get certified, it will be value for the customer who are going to
buy as well as for the seller as the building selling price, therefore housing sector
will develop increasing the value of property logically.
8. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
8.1. CONCLUSION
From the case studies, analysis, qualitative and quantitative data’s, the
identified challenges, and opportunities in adaptation of Green Building Rating
System and its implementation in Nepal are found as follows:
• Cost of Implementation: From the analysis, it came that Cost of
Implementation is the main barrier of its adaption. Investor and consultant
still think that add –on value is too high for the scale of the project and
investor are still not assures regarding the payback values of the investment.
• Availability of Technologies and Green Materials: Availability of
technologies and green materials is another main barrier of its
implementation. Since the market of green building is still new in Nepal,
experts and consultant find it very difficult to find the required technologies
and green material. Indian material such as paint, coatings, adhesive, water
The Challenges and Opportunities in Adaptation of Green Building Rating System in Nepal
International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH
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efficient fixtures are already available in Nepali market, so this trend will
change slowly toward better sustainability in future.
• Not Relevance to Nepal Context: Third main barrier is, still many
stakeholders of construction industries think that some points of LEED are
not relevant to Nepal's Context. They think that LEED or any other green
building rating system are made for the country's context where they are
developed. They cannot be relevant to the different countries with different
cultural values, climate, and context. They put a strong suggestion that,
either LEED should be modified in Nepal's context like India did in LEED-
India or we must develop our own BRS which match our context, culture,
and climate.
• Lack of Awareness: Fourth main barrier is lack of Awareness and
Knowledge regarding Green building rating system and the advantages it
could bring to the project through implementation among Investor,
government agencies, consultant, project manager and other discipline of
construction towards sustainable development. Investor should be made
aware by consultant regarding its benefit in energy, water, indoor air quality
and financial benefits in operation and maintenance, the add-on value of the
project with its green features in future market. They should be motivated
by government agencies through incentives and taxes, and insurance, etc.
• No Bylaws and Standards: There is still no bylaws and standard regarding
green building or sustainable building in Nepal. Most of the Municipals had
initiated their concern toward environment though incorporating small
basis items in Design drawing, such as plantation of minimum 2 trees in
small residential buildings, use of septic tank and now STP. Provision of
open space by minimizing building footprints. Maximum of these points
remains only in drawing, during construction clients modified these changes
only concerning about monetary their values. And the worst part is there is
no system of monitoring of the implementation.
8.2. RECOMMENDATION
8.2.1. KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS
From the study it has become clear that, architect consultants are well aware
about the green construction, and they are urging about the immediate action for
the awareness, Both Cultural and Social Awareness. Awareness is required for every
sector of the construction field, mainly to the key players of this industry – Client
(Owner), Architects/ Consultants, Contractors, Manufacturers.
Recommendation
• Academically: In academic context, architecture courses already cover
passive design architecture, building services, etc. But the courses are based
on very traditional technology. Exposure to the much-achieved technology
and improvised courses still lacks in our academic. Green Construction
should be included in the courses which will match the current advance
practice in the developed world. So that the future professionals becomes
aware of this initiation toward environmental sustainability.
• Professionally: Building practitioners, especially in construction, need to
be informed and educated about green building practices. Training and
workshops should be available to all practitioners and all employees. Green
building initiatives cannot succeed if all employees involved in green
Itiza Sharma, Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya, and Aashika Pokharel
International Journal of Research - GRANTHAALAYAH
80
building do not have same understanding. Promoting the green building
benefits to owners, investors are an important step to start upgrading the
construction market. They should be educated about the initial high
expenses of green systems, and the long-term financial benefits that are
gained.
• Government Level: Government should promote the green buildings
through awareness training, upgrading local mandatory codes and
enforcing green practices at least in public buildings.
8.2.2. TEAMWORK CULTURE
From the research it is clearly seen that there should be contribution from each
and every team member for the successful green project. However, in Nepal the
teamwork culture is missing, as most of the projects are executed through the
traditional design approach, in which each team member work separately and
integration between consultants and contractors doesn't exist.
Recommendation
• Main issue here in Nepal is absence of communication and coordination
among project teams: Client, Architect and Designers, Civil Engineers, MEP,
HVAC, Contractor due to which project suffers a lot. This gap should be
covered by assigning a dedicated team or person to be responsible for
communication and coordination.
• As we work on very outdated technology in compare to other countries,
since there is still no culture for proper documentation and because of lack
of proper documentation tools and relevant software’s there is always a
chance of losing and omitting valuable data, information. It's a high time to
use coordination and documentation tools and software.
• Still, we have a culture for not caring for the project scheduling and project
deadlines, our projects are always time overrun, cost overrun and there is
always a confusion and miscommunication among the team members.
CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
None.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
None.
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