Tbilisi Hosts International Conference on Energy Efficient Construction
In January, Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze launched a new energy efficiency initiative at a joint press conference with the CEO of Signify/Philips, Eric Rondolat at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Signify/Philips, one of the world’s leading companies in the lighting industry, expressed willingness to support the Georgian government to implement the new strategy.
Rondolat explained in Davos that his company would focus on the energy efficient lighting of Georgia's streets and monuments, which would first be introduced in Tbilisi and later throughout the rest of the country.
The energy efficiency strategy is part of Georgia’s 'Green Economy' concept, which includes other environmentally friendly policies such as the ban on thin plastic bags, promotion of electric vehicles, and standards for renewable and sustainable energy.
On Thursday March 28, an international conference on "Energy Efficient Construction" was held in Tbilisi. The conference was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Tbilisi City Hall, Colliers International Georgia, the Union of Expert Sustainable Energy and Environment, Georgian Technical University, the Responsible Real Estate Investment Council, and others. The conference was organized by N1 property hub (Property Georgia) and the Responsible Property Investment Council of Georgia (RPICG), with support from Center for Innovative Business Solutions (C4IBS). The conference was co-funded by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, and the Green for Growth Fund, which contributes to enhancing energy efficiency and fostering renewable energies in Southeast Europe, the EU’s Eastern Neighborhood, and in the Middle East and North Africa, predominantly through the provision of dedicated financing to businesses and households via partnering with financial institutions and direct financing.
The conference opened with a speech by Maia Tskitishvili, the Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of Georgia, who emphasized the importance of Georgia making environmentally conscious moves in its development, and the long-term value of energy efficient construction.
Davit Gigineishvili, representing the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, presented a draft law on "Energy Efficiency of Buildings,” recently submitted to the Parliament of Georgia. He explained that Georgia is obligated to adopt a strong legislative base since becoming a member of the energy union, and noted that the new energy efficiency norms in the construction sector will be positively reflected in the quality of new construction.
The event was attended by representatives from governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, international companies in the sectors of construction, development, and architecture, international financial institutions, and international education institutions.
Representatives of companies participating in the conference discussed building certification models, how to build energy efficient buildings, and how old constructions can be retrofitted to be energy efficient – a major concern of home-buyers in Georgian cities, where new constructions are often avoided for their poor insulation.
The energy efficiency in construction conference was the first of its kind to be held in Georgia, reflecting the government’s public commitment to improving Georgia’s environmental policies and quality of life in the country. The long-term effects of the new regulations on energy efficient constructions, assuming they are approved by Parliament, will likely take years to be fully realized.
By Samantha Guthrie
Photo: Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development