The ratings signal India's march towards sustainable buildings, reduced emissions, and a green future
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) established the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in 2001 to promote the concept of green buildings in India. As part of its net zero mission to accelerate the adoption of green building projects nationwide, IGBC has introduced innovative green rating tools.
The new green rating tools were unveiled at the Indian Green Building Congress in Chennai from November 23–25, 2003. These tools include the Net Zero Carbon Rating and upgraded rating systems: Green Existing Building Rating Version 1.0, Green Factory Rating Version 2.0, and Green Campus Rating Version 1.0.
The building and construction sector was responsible for nearly one-third of the total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021 in India, covering both operational and embodied emissions.
IGBC initiated the ‘Net Zero’ mission to propel India to become a leading country in transitioning to Net Zero by 2050. As part of this mission, IGBC has introduced specific rating systems such as Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Water, and Net Zero Waste to Landfill to encourage the adoption of Net Zero concepts in buildings and the built environment.
Gurmit Singh Arora, National Chairman, IGBC, stated, “So far, more than 350 organisations from the Indian building sector have committed to achieving Net Zero status for their new and existing buildings. Also, about 90 projects are adopting Net Zero Energy, Water, Waste to Landfill, and Carbon concepts nationwide.”
The newly introduced IGBC Net Zero Carbon (pilot version) rating system is a crucial step to reduce operational and embodied emissions. It is a voluntary and consensus-based programme for new and existing buildings and campuses.
The rating tool encourages low-embodied carbon materials, optimises building performance using passive features and technologies, and promotes on-site and off-site renewable energy systems and carbon sequestration measures.
The Green Existing Building Rating Version 1.0 has been enhanced based on feedback from stakeholders, while the Green Campus Rating Version 1.0 rates the building and the building environment. Over 100 campuses are reportedly implementing measures to be rated under this system.
IGBC has played a pivotal role in facilitating more than 11,500 projects across the country, covering a green footprint of over 10.42 billion sq ft. This has positioned India as a global leader in the sustainable built environment, boasting the second-largest green building footprint globally.
Jamshyd Godrej, Chairman, CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, commented, “We stand number 2 in the world, whereas, in the case of net zero buildings, we have a great opportunity to take a leadership position and make India the number 1 country in the world.”