Bermuda needs stricter laws to ensure developers behind the transformation of Hamilton use the greenest methods possible, according to a leading engineer.

Wilmouth Elmes, a US-based Bermudian who has been involved in numerous key projects across the world in a 45-year career, has recently been on the Island visiting family.

Mr. Elmes says people constructing new buildings on the Island are not bound by the same rules as those in the States concerning issues such as water conservation, energy efficient lighting and the use of recycled materials.

He believes the guidelines in place under the Bermuda Sustainability Programme are not enough because they are not compulsory.

Mr. Elmes, now a construction adviser and vice president at Columbia University in New York, told The Royal Gazette: "Bermuda seems to lose its character now when I look to see the traffic and high-rise buildings and construction going on. It seems very commercial, but then again that's progress.

"Now when you drive down Front Street it seems even more congested than driving on Sixth Avenue in a sense.

"The high buildings: it's progress and it means more jobs for Bermuda; the commercialism means more revenue. For all that it's good.

"The concern I'm having is that when I read the Bermuda Sustainability Programme there was not any specific measures on certain issues. For example on conserving water, they need specific measures that a company will prove they are going to do it. They need to set targets on energy use. That's going to be an issue because these seven-storey buildings will take much more energy than before.

"Because it's a guideline, it's never going to be enforced. They really should develop a document for Bermuda and have it enforced as a code requirement. New York State has an energy code. When you build, you have to conform to that code."

Mr. Elmes was responsible for designing engineering work at Petrona Towers in Malaysia, which were the world's largest buildings when they were constructed in the late 1990s.

He has worked on 80-storey office buildings across the US, and is currently supervising engineering work at a major rebuild of Columbia University's campus. He says all developers have a duty to keep an environmentally friendly mindset.

"Everyone really needs to take part in the global initiative to reduce energy and use our natural resources," he said.

Some developers in Hamilton have been doing their bit, including Bermuda's first accredited green building Victoria Place, which was constructed last year and is home to Latin restaurant, Ariel Re and other offices and shops.

It has limited its carbon footprint with water cooler refrigeration instead of air cooled, and non-incandescent light fittings where possible.

Meanwhile, the controversial court/Police building on Court Street will reportedly have solar panels and LED light bulbs.

The Ministry of Environment and Sports did not respond to several requests asking what kind of obligations developers are under.

The 2008 Draft Bermuda Plan states under the heading 'Energy Efficient Buildings': "New development should be designed in a manner that is energy efficient, and in evaluating the design of energy efficient features in a building, the board shall ensure that:

"• energy saving measures do not detract from the appearance of the proposed development;

"• energy saving measures do not conflict with other policies in the statement; and

"• energy efficient design proposals within an Historic Protection Area or affecting a building of special historical or architectural interest do not detract from the established historical or architectural character or appearance of the building or area."