‘Cool Roofs’ initiative launched in Hyderabad

‘Cool roofs technology’ can help beat the summer heat, experts opined at a seminar here.

The Telangana government can set the trend by embracing the technology, said David Goldstein, co-director of Natural Resources Defense Council’s Energy Program of the US. He suggested that the government make cool roofs mandatory for all public buildings forthwith.

Speaking on ‘Cool Roofs – Technology, Policy and Implementation’, organised by Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), he suggested that the government could simultaneously design an incentive programme for slum-dwellers and low-income residents.

With climate change, cities across the world are gearing to meet the threat of increasingly high temperatures. Low-cost solutions such as cool roofs are proven to be effective and offer multiple benefits such as health, energy and cost savings and reduced air pollution, Goldstein said.

Giving the example of the positive experience of New York City’s cooling roof programme launched in 2009, Goldstein underlined the need for collaboration in this area to make a big difference.

The NY Cool Roofs is a City initiative that utilises local talent to cover rooftops throughout the five boroughs with a white reflective coating that reduces building energy consumption. Participants work in teams after 2-3 months’ training.

The NYC Department of Small Business Services Workforce sponsors the participants’ training and helps them migrate to full-time work in sectors such as construction and building maintenance.

The Hyderabad Cool Roofs initiative, launched by the Urban Development Ministry, ASCI and the NRDC, IIIT-H, is working on developing a cool roof policy programme. Navin Mittal, Department Secretary, said the government would fully support the initiative as this year is likely to be warmer than the previous year.

With temperatures already touching 40 degrees Celsius in some places, the government has firmed up the ‘Heat Action Plan’ under the disaster management department.

Director General of ASCI RH Khwaja said, “Hyderabad is taking a big step to safeguard its residents from dangerous heat waves, especially its most vulnerable – children and the elderly this summer. It could serve as a model for other heat-impacted cities across India.”