Green Building Concept in India
Global warming, air, water, and sound pollution are some of the visible impacts on real estate developers. As a result, the demand for green buildings in India has increased, with buyers considering the ecological footprint of their homes and offices.
What is a Green Building Concept?
The concept of green building, also known as sustainable building or green construction, refers to designing, constructing, operating, maintaining, and demolishing structures in an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient manner throughout their lifecycle.
Green buildings aim to reduce the harmful impact of buildings on the environment and human health while enhancing positive results.
Green Buildings ensure that waste is minimized at every stage during the construction and operation of the building.
Benefits of Green Building Concept;
Environmental Benefits: Green buildings are designed to use less energy, water, and materials, minimizing their environmental footprint. This includes features like energy-efficient appliances, water-saving fixtures, and recycled materials. They often prioritize natural ventilation and filtration systems, leading to better indoor air quality for occupants. Additionally, rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment systems can improve local water quality.
Economic Benefits: The energy and water efficiency of green buildings translates to lower utility bills for owners and tenants. Green buildings tend to have higher property values compared to conventional buildings, making them attractive investments.
Social Benefits: Green buildings with better air quality, natural light, and access to green spaces can contribute to improved occupant health and well-being.
Government Initiatives and Incentives Support: The Government of India has introduced various incentives to encourage green building construction like the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has formulated the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) rating system, which evaluates environmental performance of buildings and promotes sustainable construction practices.
Some Green building certifications in India
LEED – LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The LEED rating system is based on a point system, with buildings earning points for meeting certain criteria in categories such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor environmental quality. The more points a building earns, the higher its LEED rating will be. There are four levels of LEED certification: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points) and Platinum (80+ points). A platinum rating is the highest score given to a building.
IGBC – The IGBC stands for the Indian Green Building Council, and was established in 2001. Certified, silver, gold and platinum are the designated ratings, and buildings are assessed accordingly. There are nine different types of certifications, depending on the type of the project.
GRIHA – GRIHA stands for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat, developed by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), follows a star-based rating system where five stars indicate the highest ranking. The points assigned for each star such as one star for 25-40 points, two stars for 41-55 points, three stars for 56-70 points, four stars for 71-85 points and five stars for 85 points and above.
Challenges faced by Developers
Space constraints in re-development projects can pose challenges when aiming to implement green building features which may make it difficult to incorporate without sacrificing valuable floor area.
Green buildings adhere to higher construction standards, which can increase labour costs that can lead to an increase in the cost of a property.
Conclusion
While the initial investment in green building development may be higher, it is often justified by the long-term cost savings, increased property value, and positive environmental impact. Overall, Green Building practices not only benefits the environment but also contribute to cost savings, improved occupant health and well-being, and long-term resilience against climate change.