Ashgabat, 6 April 2023: Within the framework of the joint project of UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan “Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Avaza”, a working meeting was held with the participation of representatives of ministries and departments of Turkmenistan to discuss the main directions for the development of “green” construction and the introduction of the principles of sustainable urban development in the country.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the draft of the first “green” standard of Turkmenistan for the construction and operation of hotel buildings, which was developed jointly with international consultants within the framework of the above-mentioned UNDP project. This regulatory document was developed to create comfortable and environmentally friendly conditions for the accommodation in the hotels and hotel complexes of Turkmenistan. The new standard introduces quantitative and qualitative characteristics for assessing hotel buildings and hotel complexes in Turkmenistan in accordance with “green” criteria, covering the entire life cycle of construction projects. During the meeting, participants have also discussed possible directions for the development of “green” construction in Turkmenistan.
The “green” standard is intended for use by architects, construction companies, developers (technical customers), management and operating companies, manufacturers of building materials and equipment, specialists in certification and assessment of compliance with the requirements of this standard.
The structure of the standard involves mandatory and voluntary “green” criteria for the design, construction, operation of “green” hotel buildings and hotel complexes. Compliance with mandatory criteria is necessary for the recognition of an apartment building as “green”. Compliance of the developed design documentation of a hotel building or a constructed hotel building with one of the standard ratings (“bronze”, “silver”, “gold” or “platinum”) can serve as a criterion for ecolabeling such a building or its project as “green”.
“Green” categories of hotel buildings or hotel complexes are formed based on a total of ten criteria, in accordance with the international best practices (BREEAM, LEED, DGNB, as well as Green Key, Green Zoom, RUSO standards), including:
- Architecture and planning of the surrounding space
- Organization and management of construction
- Environmental friendliness of construction, finishing materials and purchases
- Energy efficiency of building and equipment
- Energy supply from renewable sources and greenhouse gas emissions
- Water Efficiency
- Reuse of liquid and organic waste
- Landscaping of the surrounding area
- Building safety
- Comfort and quality of living
The introduction of “green” standards in the hotel sector of Turkmenistan will lead to efficient energy consumption in hotels, increase economic feasibility and contribute to the implementation of Turkmenistan’s efforts to combat climate change and increase resilience under the Paris Agreement on climate. ///UNDP Turkmenistan, 6 Apr