Aiwan-e-Sadr certified as world’s first presidency to go green

As a unique distinction, the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday was awarded an international certification of ISO 50001 EnMS, making it the world’s first such presidential secretariat.

After assuming office in 2018, President Dr Arif Alvi envisioned a Green Presidency Initiative to curtail President’s Secretariat energy usage and shift it to renewable energy sources.

Describing the monetary benefits of going green, the president said savings from energy conservation and clean energy generation are equivalent to 3,154,750KWh. The initiative equates to a 3,144 tonnes reduction of greenhouse gases and plantation of 142,909 mature trees.

The Aiwan-e-Sadr also got GBC SEED Platinum as the building is now fully powered by an in-house 1 MW solar system. The ISO 50001 EnMS certificate was awarded to Project Director Shahid Shaukat by Abdur Razzaq Lakhani of SGS and GBC SEED Platinum certificate by Rashid Bashir of Green Building Council.

Addressing the ceremony, the president said the presidency’s initiative should also be replicated across the country considering the importance of energy conservation across the world.

He thanked the private sector companies who supported the initiative under corporate social responsibility.

Read: Pakistan's entire coastal belt to go 'clean and green': Bajwa

President Alvi said it is always wise to prevent carbon emission as the world including Pakistan is under pressure regarding the availability of water and other natural resources. "Through this initiative, the greenhouse gas production has been reduced at the building from 102 tonnes in 2018 to 2028 tonnes this year."

Also citing the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings on conservation of water and wastage of resources, the president called for inculcating habits in youths to conserve energy.

He said while launching the initiative, he never thought of getting such recognition. He asked the youth to be conscious of the global needs considering the sensitivity of the situation.

Exemplifying Barcelona, the president also called for utilising the buildings’ roofs for green purposes like plantation or solar panels.

He said the Aiwan-e-Sadr’s going green would help prevent 3,144 tonnes of carbon emission which equals 325 trucks.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan launched Billion Tree Tsunami when such green projects were nowhere in limelight in the world. However, later, the whole society including civil society, mosques and youth engaged in the initiative.

The president, who earlier distributed appreciation certificates among the representatives of collaborating companies, also called for discouraging the habits of flood irrigation in agriculture and wastage of food and lauded the incumbent government’s policy of vertical buildings.

Read more: Billion Tree Tsunami fosters green entrepreneurship

He said that a Miyawaki forest was also being developed in the presidency with the support of the private sector.

The president said in order to address the food security, it was essential to stop fighting against the people. He said the trillions of dollars spent in Afghanistan could have helped end hunger, if they had been used otherwise.

Executive Director of Association of Energy Engineers Bill Kent, in his virtual address, congratulated President Alvi and his team on achieving the milestone.

He said the certification manifested Pakistan’s commitment to achieving its clean energy and energy efficiency goals.

Kent said that Pakistan is rich with energy resources including wind, solar and biomass and that if fully tapped, the country could contribute to global economy. He said that the countries needed to educate architects, builders and developers to help achieve the energy conservation goals.

Calling the President Secretariat’s initiative as a step in right direction, Bill Kent said it served as role model for energy efficiency and conservation measures in the country.