The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has launched the “Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings” initiative that will pioneer ways to make workplaces healthier and greener.

Possible prelims question:

Q. The MAITREE programme recently seen in news is related to: Trade/Energy Efficiency/Climate Change/ Strategic Relations

About the Initiative

• The initiative has been launched by EESL in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) MAITREE program.
• As part of this initiative, EESL has taken the leadership by being the first to implement this framework in its own offices.
• This initiative addresses the challenges of retrofitting existing buildings and air conditioning systems so that they are both healthy and energy-efficient.
• It will pave the way for other buildings to take appropriate steps to be healthy and energy-efficient.

What is the MAITREE program,?

• The Market Integration and Transformation Program for Energy Efficiency (MAITREE) is a part of the US-India bilateral Partnership between the Ministry of Power and USAID.
• It is aimed at accelerating the adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency as a standard practice within buildings and specifically focuses on cooling.

Significance of the initiative

• Poor air quality has been a concern in India for quite some time and has become more important in light of the COVID pandemic.
• As people return to their offices and public spaces, maintaining good indoor air quality is essential for occupant comfort, well-being, productivity and the overall public health.
• Most buildings in India are not equipped to establish and maintain healthy indoor air quality and need to be upgraded.
• The EESL office pilot will address this problem by developing specifications for future use in other buildings throughout the country.
• It will aid in evaluating the effectiveness and cost benefits of various technologies and their short and long-term impacts on air quality, comfort, and energy use.

 Back2Basics: EESL

• Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the administration of Ministry of Power, is working towards mainstreaming energy efficiency.
• It is implementing the world’s largest energy efficiency portfolio in the country.
• EESL aims to create market access for efficient and future-ready transformative solutions that create a win-win situation for every stakeholder.
• About USAID: USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results.

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