Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Policy Guidelines for Green Buildings (Completed)

Objective of the project

This key objective of the project is to develop Policy Guidelines for Green Buildings in Pakistan to influence the enhancement or modification of the existing provisions of the Building Codes of Pakistan to incorporate sustainable consumption and production patterns in the infrastructure and building sector.

The specific objectives are as follows:

  1. To review the existing provisions of the Building Code of Pakistan (including its by-laws, regulations, rules, etc.) at national and provincial levels in order to identify the viable and gradually enforceable improvements in line with SCP practices under Goal 12 and focus on heat-energy reduction in both construction activities and production processes of the building materials, elements and components.
  2. To hold consultations with all relevant stakeholders (i.e., Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Housing & Works, Provincial Housing Departments, Local Government Departments, Urban Development authorities/municipalities/units, Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Islamabad Capital Territory Authority (ICTA), Capital Development Authority (CDA), Pakistan Council of Architect and Town Planners (PCATP), IAP, Defense Housing Authority (DHA), BTPL, Green Building Council, private sector such as realtors and builders, academe, experts, etc.) to decide on necessary changes in the present Building Codes/Regulations; and standardize the Building Code components for developing such Green Buildings, aimed towards promoting environment friendly, seismically-safe, energy efficient, and sustainable materials.
  3. To develop effective guidelines and recommendations for statutory and regulatory legislation, including punitive actions for non-compliance/adherence of code provisions, which are essentially needed for enforcement at federal, provincial and city/town level.
  4. To demonstrate environmentally resilient building technologies through pilots for awareness and advocacy (Phase 2)
  5. Explore new partnerships to scale up the interventions related implementation of Policy Guidelines for Green Buildings through demonstrations (Phase 2)

Expected Outcomes/ Results

The expected outcomes/results of the project are as follows:

  1. Enhanced provisions of the Building Codes which are SCP-friendly.
  2. Behavioral change and minimized negative environmental and health impacts due to application of sustainable and responsible consumption and production patterns of the housing and building sector.
  3. Improved cooperation processes between the Government, the business sector and civil society.
  4. Increased awareness and advocacy on eco-innovation in the housing and building sector.
  5. Establish new partnerships to scale up the interventions related implementation of Policy Guidelines for Green Buildings through demonstrations (Phase 2)
  6. To demonstrate environmentally resilient building technologies through pilots for awareness and advocacy (Phase 2)

Target industries

Goal 12 of the 2030 Development Agenda aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns at national level. Goal 12, particularly on targets 12.5, 12.6 and 12.8 are linked with Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities and Goal 13 on Climate Action. These goals and targets will be met in accordance with the Sustainable Development Policy Framework. Therefore, while implementing various actions and projects in line with the SCP supporting SDGs, it is imminent to also launch the Green Buildings Initiative, commencing first with the multi-storey public buildings in Islamabad and provincial capitals besides running a SDG/SCP Green Buildings information and awareness campaign throughout Pakistan. At later stages, the gradual greening of other buildings and houses can be made mandatory.

All urban development institutions, including Metropolitan/Cities Development Authorities, municipal/local development agencies, Cantonment Boards, business sector particularly the manufacturers of building materials and components/elements, builders and contractors associations, professionals such as Architects, Civil and Environmental Engineers, Development Planners, Academia, etc.

Implementation mechanism

The project will be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Climate Change, UN-Habitat, and UNEP.  An Experts Group comprising of national and provincial stakeholders along with a UNEP-SCP representative will be set-up and notified by the MoCC and chaired by the Director General (Environment & Climate Change) of MoCC along with the UN-Habitat Country Director as co-Chair. The Terms of Reference for this group will be prepared in close consultation with MoCC and UNEP and the membership shall be limited to 20-25 participants for efficiency and effectiveness.

A questionnaire/working paper providing an overview of the issues and objectives to be achieved under this project will be developed and circulated among all concerned stakeholders prior to convening the first meeting of the Experts Group. Based on the feedback received, the contents of existing provisions of the Building Code of Pakistan will be reviewed and discussed at various consultations and workshops to identify the areas/contents which need to be changed, improved, replaced or augmented.

The final draft policy guidelines will be presented and thoroughly deliberated upon in a stakeholders’ workshop. Based on the outcomes arrived therein, the SCP Policy Guidelines for Green Buildings will be finalized along with the recommendations for implementation in the  urban and rural areas.

The Experts Group will undertake the final scrutiny of the SCP Policy Guidelines for Green Buildings and make formal recommendation for approval by the Ministry of Climate Change. At this stage, if considered necessary, the concurrence from the Federal and Provincial Governments’ Line Ministries and Departments may be solicited.

Phase 2 will be impmented jointly with MOCC. An Experts Group comprising of national and provincial stakeholders already established will continue as th policy guidence body for the project. Demonstration project will be desinged including work programme in consulation with MOCC and share all desings for concurrence from MOCC prior to the implmentation. UN-Habitat will explore jointly with MOCC to bring more partners and stakeholders during the Phase 2 to scale up activities as agreed in relation to the implmentation of Guidelines.