Adoption of ambitiously carved ‘cool roof policy’ remains dismal

Hyderabad: A year after Telangana introduced the ‘cool roof policy’ that is aimed at combating severe urban heat in its cities, the pace of adoption, however, remains rather slow, including in Hyderabad.

This is in stark contrast to higher uptake in Tamil Nadu, where experts attribute the success to effective community engagement and clear communication of benefits.

The policy, launched in April 2023, mandates the application of cool roofs on all new governmental and large residential buildings over a specific size and incentivising others to adopt. However, despite these efforts, the implementation has been less than encouraging.

Satyendra Prasad, managing director of one of the oldest tile exporters in the city, explains the economic incentive, while maintaining that "More than mere comfort, one can save substantially on electricity bills. Implementing cool roof systems could lead to savings of up to 12 crore units of electricity annually in Telangana alone."

Contrastingly, Tamil Nadu's success has been facilitated by proactive government initiatives and strong partnerships with local organisations, enhancing public awareness and their enthusiastic participation.

An activist in urban development, Priya Malik comments, says "In our neighbouring states, aggressive outreach and education campaigns have effectively highlighted the immediate economic and comfort benefits of cool roofs, helping to overcome the initial cost barrier."

In Telangana, integration of cool roof stipulations within the TS-BPASS for building permissions and occupancy certificates has been a step forward but not enough to spur widespread compliance.

Saurabh Marda, co-founder and managing director of a city-based company that provides solar system installation services, explaining the synergy between sustainable building practices and renewable energy, said that installing rooftop solar systems alongside cool roofs can drastically reduce electricity bills and environmental impact.

Sustainable architect Snehalatha Krishna reasoned that integrating these technologies could lead to a significant reduction in urban heat islands.

"With the policy's target to achieve around 300 sq. km of cool roof area by 2028, the potential for reducing ambient air temperatures and energy consumption is immense, if implemented at the speed intended for achieving the goal," she explained.

This integrated approach—combining cool roofs with renewable energy solutions—could help enhance acceptance of the policy and its effectiveness, mitigating the impact of urban heat and promoting sustainable urban development, many activists believe.

Adding to the perspectives, Shekhar Reddy Cherabuddi, Chairman CII - Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), noted that while the idea of cool roofs is not new, the way it is done has changed and the implementation has seen challenges.

"Manufacturers started this initiative as part of our rating system. Cool roof were earlier based on traditional methods like brick and lime, which take care of cooling by not allowing heat to radiate into the house. While painting is easier and less labour-intensive, the lifespan of paint is still less than tiles and lasts for about three years," Cherabuddi explained, while highlighting a significant gap in government action.

"It's a good initiative, but the government has not developed applicators, nor has it invested adequately in advertising or a support system. Thankfully, private developers are adopting these technologies," he said,

Cherabuddi stressed that while the policy is aiming at a long-term impact, the actual completion of projects and gathering of data to assess efficacy takes about 3.5 years.

"These specifications apply to projects which are not developed immediately. Hence, it takes time for accurate data to come in. Retrofitting old buildings isn't applicable under this policy," he added, indicating a slow but evolving process towards better awareness and implementation.