India’s infrastructure and construction industry are witnessing rapid growth. On the one hand, the sector is a significant economic activity of the nation, and at the same time, it poses various environmental challenges. The industry needs to embrace green concepts and techniques, which can help to boost growth sustainably. Moreover, these concepts can improve occupant health, productivity, and well-being. To raise awareness among stakeholders, IGBC launched the Green Building Moment in 2001 to promote green building in India. As part of its work, the Indian Green Building Council constantly provides tools to facilitate the adoption of green building practices in India.
What Are Green Buildings? | Indian Green Building Council
Recent years have seen the term ‘Green Buildings’ dominate headlines. But, what is it exactly? What makes these buildings different? And what makes them green?
A green building uses less water, energy, and other natural resources which creates less waste and greenhouse gas emissions and is safer for its occupants than a regular building. The construction of Green Structure is aimed at using local resources, preserving the environment, and in many cases saving energy, water, and materials.
What is IGBC?
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), an affiliate of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), was formed in 2001. In India, the council’s vision is “To make the built environment sustainable for everyone and to be a global leader in sustainable construction by 2025”. A wide array of services are available through the council, such as green building rating programs, certification services, and training programs. Additionally, the organization hosts the Green Building Congress, its flagship annual event related to sustainable buildings.
Objectives Of IGBC
The objective is to encourage the creation of environment-friendly buildings through architectural design, water efficiency, efficient waste disposal, energy efficiency, sustainable buildings, and occupant comfort.
IGBC Rating Systems
Green building rating offers a range of practices and solutions that reduce environmental impacts. It is an integrated approach that considers the life cycle impacts of the resources used. Its rating systems are voluntary, consensus-guided, and based on the market. It combines ancient architectural practices with modern technological innovations in a scheme based on the five elements of nature (Panchabhutas). Applicable to all five climatic zones of the country, the IGBC rating program has become both National by Choice and Global by Performance.
The launch of the following green building rating systems by the IGBC plays a significant role in the development of the green building movement in India:
- Government Incentives to IGBC Projects
- IGBC Green New Buildings
- IGBC Green Existing Buildings
- IGBC Green Homes
- IGBC Green Residential Societies
- IGBC Green Affordable Housing
- IGBC Green Healthcare
- IGBC Health and Well-being
- IGBC Green Schools
- IGBC Green Resorts
- IGBC Green Factory Buildings
- IGBC Green Data Center
- IGBC Green Interiors
- IGBC Green Service Buildings
- IGBC Green Logistics Parks and Warehouses
- IGBC Green Campus
- IGBC Green Cities
- IGBC Green Existing Cities
- IGBC Green Townships
- IGBC Green SEZs
- IGBC Green Villages
- IGBC Green Landscapes
- IGBC Green Mass Rapid Transit System
- IGBC Green Existing Mass Rapid Transit System
- IGBC Green Railway Stations
- Renewal of IGBC Green Rating
- IGBC Net Zero Energy Buildings
- IGBC Net Zero Water Buildings
- IGBC Green High-Speed Rail
- IGBC Green Hill Habitat
- IGBC Expedited Review Process
- IGBC Net Zero Waste Rating System
Features Of Rating System | Indian Green Building Council
To develop the rating program, IGBC has established the Green New Buildings Core Committee. Members of this committee include architects, builders, consultants, developers, owners, institutions, manufacturers, and industry representatives. The committee’s diverse backgrounds and knowledge contributed to the content and process of the rating system.
This rating system emphasizes certain unique aspects, including
- Recognition for architectural excellence through an integrated design approach.
- Recognition of passive architectural features.
- Structural design optimization using steel and cement. It is a developmental credit.
- Water use reduction for construction. It is also a developmental credit.
- Based on the feedback from green building proponents, the use of certified green products will be encouraged. To transform markets, IGBC has launched a new initiative for certifying green products. The product’s lifecycle is taken into consideration.
- It is encouraged that projects report their energy and water consumption data every year so that research can proceed in this area.
As part of the IGBC Green New Building rating system, green features can be classified as follows:
- Sustainable Architecture and Design
- Site Selection and Planning
- Water Conservation
- Energy Efficiency
- Building Materials and Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Innovation and Development
Image 3_Categories of IGBC green rating system_©green clean guide
Following are the various levels of rating:
| Certification Level | Recognition |
| Certified | Good Practices |
| Silver | Best Practices |
| Gold | Outstanding Performance |
| Platinum | National Excellence |
| Super Platinum | Global Leadership |
These threshold criteria determine certification levels:
| Certification Level | Owner-occupied Buildings | Tenant-occupied Buildings | Recognition |
| Certified | 50 – 59 | 50 – 59 | Good Practices |
| Silver | 60 – 69 | 60 – 69 | Best Practices |
| Gold | 70 – 79 | 70 – 79 | Outstanding Performance |
| Platinum | 80 – 89 | 80 – 89 | National Excellence |
| Super Platinum | 90 – 100 | 90 – 100 | Global Leadership |
Reference –
1) IGBC India. Green Building & Sustainable Architecture in India.[online]. Available at: https://igbc.in/igbc/redirectHtml.htm?redVal=showAboutusnosign
