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Rapid urbanization and economic development at local, regional and global level has led to several environmental and ecological crises. On this background, it becomes essential to adopt the system of environmental audit for institutes, organizations etc. which will lead to sustainable development. As environmental sustainability is becoming an increasingly important issue for the nation, the role of organizations in relation to environmental sustainability is more important.
Green Auditing is a unique process that allows to know the uses of available resources i.e. Energy, Water quality, Built-up Space, Air quality in the organization.
Green Audit is a process of systematic identification, quantification, recording, reporting and analysis of components of environmental diversity of various establishments.
It was initiated in 1970 with the motive of inspecting the work conducted within the organizations, which can cause risk to inhabitants and environment.
Green audit can be a useful tool for an organization to determine how and where they are using the more energy water or other resources; the organization can then consider how to implement changes for conservation.
Main objective of the audit is to upgrade the environment conditions in and around the organisation. It also aims to secure the environment thereby cutting down the threats posed to human health. It is used to analyse environmental practices within and outside the organisation, which will have an impact on the Eco-friendly ambiance.
Green audit includes
- Waste audit – It can be used to determine the type and volume of waste. It helps for a recycling project or to improve waste minimization plan. It guides to reduce the waste generation by segregating, reusing, recycling and composting. By checking waste collection and disposal system, it helps to understand what goes waste and how to make a ‘zero waste’ campus.
- Water audit – It evaluates facilities of raw water intake and determines facilities for waste water treatment. It measures the total water requirement, amount of water harvested and recycled. Main objective of water audit is to balance the demand and supply of water along with harvesting it to use at the time of scarcity.
- Energy audit – It deals with the energy conservation and methods to reduce its consumption and related pollution. It helps to target energy consuming practices and suggest the energy conservation techniques.
- Ecological audit – It focuses on land use of Organization to map green areas, to identify Biodiversity and to understand the relationship with environment. It measures the percentage of Green cover of organization, as green area has an important role in minimizing air pollution and supports biodiversity. It also checks the use of pesticides and organization’s initiative to Maintain the ecology by using environment Safer options.
Benefits of Green audit
- It empowers the organization to frame better environmental performance.
- It helps to prepare an inventory of the resources of an organization.
- It helps an organisation to develop and implement its own ways to conserve and manage the environment.
- To demonstrate that an organization is aware of its impacts upon the environment by providing feedback.
- Promotes environment friendly practices by efficient resource use.
Process of Energy audit
Energy audit refers to examination and verification of energy consumption in the form of electricity, gas and other forms of fuel energy used in households, industries, institutes, schools etc. It can be considered as the first step towards knowing how energy is being used in a given facility. It indicates the ways in which various forms of energy are being used and quantifies energy use according to different functions. It identifies the potential for improvement and thus where energy management efforts must be concentrated.
Energy audit of an institute is based on following criteria:
- Types of energy used
- Per day energy consumption
- Efficient use and conservation of energy
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| Source : https://www.acaciaenergy.com/acacia-energy-blog/energy-audit-types-and-benefits |
Energy conservation means using energy more efficiently and less wastefully. Conservation of energy is an important energy resource because a unit of energy saved is as good as a unit of energy generated.
Steps of Energy audit
Step 1 – Prepare survey questionnaire taking into consideration construction, design features of the buildings of Institute, habits and practices of consumers and maintenance of the buildings.
Step 2 – Identifies the quantity and cost of energy consumed by various devices used in the institute. (Refer activity no. 2)
Step 3 – Identifies energy consumption at department level. (Refer activity no. 3)
Step 4 – It calculates how much energy an institute consumes and energy wastage points are identified.
Step 5 – Recommends use of alternate energy sources as – renewable energy sources, like solar energy.
How to save energy?
- Use renewable energy sources like solar energy, wherever possible.
- Turn off lights, fans and other electronic equipment’s while leaving the room or classroom.
- Instead of lift, use the staircase while coming downstairs.
- Don’t waste water.
Benefits of Energy audit
- Helps in understanding energy consumption pattern of the institute.
- By identifying energy wastage areas, saving energy and using renewable energy sources, the institute can become more energy efficient.
- Energy audit it is a small step towards preventing global warming.
