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Going Green: Premier says VI must build better buildings

- Says legislation changes may come with aim to lower adverse environmental impacts
Already impressed by the work of the newly appointed Planning Authority in the Virgin Islands (VI), Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) says the next step is for the territory to adopt green building practices. Photo: IndiaMart/File
According to Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), the new Planning Authority Board now has a role to help the Virgin Islands understand new green technologies and make smarter building decisions. Photo: VINO/File
According to Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), the new Planning Authority Board now has a role to help the Virgin Islands understand new green technologies and make smarter building decisions. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie says the impact of climate change is visible to the people of the territory, therefore, no one can understand the issues of climate change more than locals directly impacted by its effects. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie says the impact of climate change is visible to the people of the territory, therefore, no one can understand the issues of climate change more than locals directly impacted by its effects. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Already impressed by the work of the newly appointed Planning Authority in the Virgin Islands (VI), Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) says the next step is for the territory to adopt green building practices as it progresses into an environmentally sustainable future.

"The world is constantly changing, and we must not only change with it, but we must get ahead of the technology escalator," Premier Fahie said in a Monday, November 11, 2019, social media video release via the Government Information Service (GIS).

VI Understands Climate Change - Premier Fahie 

The Leader of Government Business said the impact of climate change is visible to the people of the territory, therefore, no one can understand the issues of climate change more than locals directly impacted by the effects.

He reasoned that the territory ought to use its brilliant and creative minds to take a leadership role in the development and application of green building technologies. 

According to the Premier, 'We must go green, this means harmonising designs, whether it is for public infrastructure or residential or commercial building."

He said new designs must take into consideration natural elements such as wind for ventilation and solar for both lighting and heating, "it means building more energy-efficient structures that not only consume more energy but they waste less energy."

This, he noted, will contribute to lower environmental impacts or eliminate them entirely as such initiatives are being employed around the world through a collective body of knowledge.

Legislative Framework 

The Premier also noted that the new Planning Authority Board now has a role to help the VI understand new green technologies and make smarter building decisions and apply them to the territory.

"This may require a review of our legislative framework, for instance, in the area of building codes," Hon Fahie said.

Hon Fahie further noted he is anxious to see proper foundations to push green technologies. "We are looking forward to the amendments to be made to the existing legislation in this respect."  

Changes that must be made include the merging of the Building Authority Board and the Town and Country Planning Board. He said the government will also be looking at ways to strengthen existing building and construction regulations.

4 Responses to “Going Green: Premier says VI must build better buildings”

  • Mash One (12/11/2019, 21:19) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did I see ( heating ) No AC .
  • Observer (13/11/2019, 00:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good words but will take a couple of years before any of this is implemented.
  • rattie (13/11/2019, 06:09) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    This government working hard to be honest
  • School of Hard Knock Engineer(SHKE) (13/11/2019, 06:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The September 2017 hurricanes caused approximately $3.6B in facility damages and they also exposed weaknesses in construction standards and poor construction methods. . Specifically, the storms exposed weaknesses in the roofing structures. Strong roofs is a key component to resisting and reducing wind storm damages. A weakened roof leads to additional damages to building interior. The reconstruction/rebuilding effort must improve on the pre September 2017 standards. However, the first order of business is developing and enforcing standards that protect lives and property. This is important with the manifestation of climate change that is resulting in more frequent and severe storms. Undoubtedly, as the rebuilding effort forge ahead, it should to the maximum extent practical employ “green standards”, ie, exercising environmental responsibility and resource efficiency. Though the goal is to protect lives and property, caution must be exercised in developing and enforcing standards that does not price many residents out the residential housing market. A reasonable balance is needed. The focus must be on safety, not necessarily on aesthetics. In other locales, governments set minimum construction standards realizing that it may be cost prohibitive to construct to resist category 5 hurricanes. Protect but keep it real.


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