Indian Green Building Movement

IGBC, GRIHA, and the Indian Green Building Movement: Certification Pathways and Benefits

Introduction

India has emerged as a global leader in green and sustainable building practices. At the heart of this progress are robust certification systems such as IGBC and GRIHA, which provide structured pathways for the construction and operation of resource-efficient, healthy, and environmentally responsible buildings. This blog outlines the fundamentals of these rating systems and summarizes their pathways and benefits in the broader context of India’s green building movement.

IGBC: Indian Green Building Council

Overview

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), a part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), launched India’s first indigenous green building rating system in 2001. IGBC offers several rating programs for different building typologies including New Buildings, Existing Buildings (O&M), Homes, Factories, Schools, Healthcare, and more.

Certification Pathway

• Registration: The project is registered online with IGBC.
• Application & Documentation: Submit required documents, including energy, water, site, material, and indoor environmental quality metrics.
• Review & Assessment: IGBC reviewers evaluate compliance and may request clarifications.
• Site Visit: For some projects, an on-site verification is conducted.
• Certification: Awarded at Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels based on points achieved.

Benefits

• Reduced energy and water consumption.
• Healthier indoor environment.
• Enhanced occupant productivity and well-being.
• Increased property value and marketability.
• Recognition by government and industry.

GRIHA: Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment

Overview

GRIHA, developed by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), is a national rating system for sustainable habitats. It is designed to evaluate the environmental performance of a building holistically over its entire life cycle.

Certification Pathway

• Online Registration: Register the project on GRIHA’s portal.
• Preliminary Assessment: Identify mandatory and optional criteria as per typology.
• Documentation Submission: Provide data on site, energy, water, waste, materials, and construction management.
• Third-party Evaluation: Independent assessors verify submissions and conduct site visits where required.
• Grading & Award: Certified at 1 (minimum) to 5 (maximum) star levels based on point tally.

Benefits

• Optimized resource consumption (energy, water, materials).
• Reduced operational costs.
• Improved occupant comfort.
• National recognition and compliance with statutory/municipal requirements.
• Contribution to national sustainability targets.

Indian Green Building Movement: Key Drivers and Impact

• Policy Support: The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), various state incentives, and municipal policies promoting green certifications.
• Market Transformation: Developers, corporates, and end-users are increasingly opting for green-certified buildings.
• Environmental Impact: Demonstrated reduction in carbon footprint, enhancement of water and energy efficiency, and improved air quality.
• Global Recognition: Indian green buildings are increasingly recognized by international rating systems (e.g., LEED India).

Summary Table: IGBC vs GRIHA

Conclusion

Both IGBC and GRIHA certifications provide comprehensive frameworks for sustainable building in India, driving the country’s green building movement forward. The adoption of these certifications not only offers clear environmental and economic advantages but also enhances the quality of living and working environments, contributing to a more sustainable future for all.