Three primary rating systems GB India

Nagina

For the past few years, the word Green Buildings is continuously
hogging limelight in the media. Some of us might have seen the
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Green Business Centre building
in Hyderabad which is one of the green buildings in India.
Now the question comes up what exactly are these structures?
How are different from other buildings? And why are they green?
We can define Green Buildings as structures that ensure efficient
use of natural resources like building materials, water, energy and other
resources with minimal generation of non-degradable waste.
Technologies like efficient cooling systems have sensors that can
sense the heat generated from human body and automatically adjust the
room temperature, saving energy. It applies to lighting systems too.
Green buildings have a smarter lighting system that automatically
switches off when no one is present inside the rooms.
Simple technologies like air based flushing system in toilets that
avoids water use by 100%, Use of energy efficient LEDs and CFLs instead
of conventional incandescent lamp, new generation appliances that
consume less energy, and many other options help in making the
buildings green and make them different from conventional ones.
What is Green building certification and why is it required?
Whether Green buildings are really green is to be decided against
the predefined rating systems. There are three primary Rating systems in
India :
GRIHA
IGBC
BEE
GRIHA ( Green Rating for integrated Habitat Assessment) Council, is
mandated to promote development of buildings and habitats in India
through GRIHA. GRIHA Council an independent platform for the
interaction on scientific and administrative issues related to sustainable
habitats in the Indian subcontinent. It was founded by TERI (The Energy
and Resources Institute, New Delhi) with support from MNRE (Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy, Government of India) along with a handful of
experts in the sustainability of built environment from across the country.
Activities
All activities related to issuance of GRIHA Rating are carried out by
GRIHA Council.

TERI-GRIHA framework was initially developed by TERI for new

commercial, institutional and residential buildings. The rating was further
modified when it was adopted by MNRE as GRIHA. Over 330 projects
across India of varying scale and function are being built based on GRIHA
guidelines. The Centre for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, IIT
Kanpur (2009) and Suzlon 'One Earth' Office Complex (2010), Pune have
been certified at GRIHA 5 Stars. Furthermore, ITC Grand Chola and
several projects of Infosys are 5 Star GRIHA rated.
With rising costs of fuel and energy and increasing awareness of
connections between climate change and our life-styles there is a growing
interest in the small residential development sector to adopt green
measures. An easy to use and expedient way of designing green
residences, resorts, motels and small offices is underway. With a Simple,
Affordable and Versatile approach to green rating for small residences,
SVA-GRIHA would be web enabled by giving universal access to
information and guidelines on green buildings. This shall be made
available by mid 2011.
There are also a number of educational campuses and mixed use
township developments seeking GRIHA certification for the projects.
GRIHA Council has launched GRIHA LD (Large Developments) for design
and evaluation tool for large developments including campuses,
townships, SEZs etc.
Promoting Energy Efficiency within the existing building stock
especially in urban areas offers the most cost-effective means of reducing
peak demand, growth in electricity demand and carbon emissions
associated with the production of electricity. Water supply and wastewater
treatment are increasingly becoming critical issues in urban areas. Waste
generation and management also count amongst the key Urban
Sustainability Issues. GRIHA Council shall eventually develop a rating
system for retrofitting existing buildings.
Capacity Building
GRIHA Council conducts awareness workshops on Green Buildings
and GRIHA rating system to all the registered project teams. The online
certification tool at www.grihaindia.org further helps the project team to
educate themselves on their specific roles in developing project specific
documentation.

Training of trainers and evaluators: Design and development of

Green Infrastructure necessitates large pool of qualified professionals in
all parts of the country. To enable the active dissemination of knowledge
and skills necessary for designing new green buildings, GRIHA Council
organizes a series of open registration workshops across the country.
These workshops are aimed at practicing professionals who are working
on Green Building projects and are interested in GRIHA certification.
Exams are held at the conclusion of the workshops to certify trainers who
could further take up similar programmes in their region. Professionals
with considerable experience in Green Buildings are also encouraged to
become GRIHA evaluators. The pool of evaluators spread across the
country is engaged in the review process of GRIHA projects. They are also
a valuable resource for updating the rating system in-line with
transformation of the building industry. The training programmes are
actively supported by MNRE.
GRIHA Council also conducts need-based in-house awareness /
training sessions for Government and Private Organizations. GRIHA
Council has already started a nation-wide capacity building exercise with
C.P.W.D. to equip the professionals in building GRIHA compliant projects.
With the support of MNRE, GRIHA Council is now pursuing various other
Government departments for conducting similar sessions. Various private
organizations from the construction sector are also engaging with GRIHA
Council to help build internal capacity on Green Buildings.
Advocacy
National Conference: An annual event is organized by GRIHA
Council in association with key stakeholders in construction industry to
discuss and deliberate on furtherance of green habitat development in
India. The first conference, held in January 2010, had 400 participants
representing all the key stakeholders in the construction industry. The
Second conference held for 2 days in January 2011 attracted over 280
participants. The fourth National Conference on Green Design hosted in
February 2013 was a stellar example of a platform that facilitates
interaction and deliberation between all stakeholders associated with the
building and construction industry.
Media Outreach: Professionals from GRIHA Council, TERI, MNRE are
frequently requested by the print and electronic media for expert articles
and updates on the Green Building front. These engagements ensure that
GRIHA Council is in continuous touch with the end users either directly
through its own efforts or through the media.
Commonwealth Games Village, New Delhi, Fortis Hospital, New
Delhi, CESE (Centre for Environmental Sciences & Engineering) Bldg, IIT
Kanpur, Suzlon One Earth, Pune and many other buildings has received
GRIHA rating

Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)

The rating systems are based on the five elements of the nature
(Panchabhutas) and are a perfect blend of ancient architectural practices
and modern technological innovations. The ratings systems are applicable
to all five climatic zones of the country. IGBC rating programmes have
become National by Choice and Global in Performance.
Certification is applicable to the following rating systems:
IGBC Green New Buildings
The threshold criteria for certification/pre-certification levels are as
under:
Certificati
on Level

Owneroccupied
Buildings

Tenantoccupied
Buildings

Recognition

Certified

40 - 49

40 - 49

Good Practices

Silver

50 - 59

50 - 59

Best Practices

Gold

60 - 74

60 - 74

Platinum

75 - 89

75 - 89

National Excellence

90 - 100

90 - 100

Global Leadership

Super
Platinum

Outstanding
Performance

IGBC Green Existing Buildings

The threshold criteria for Certification levels are as under:
Certification
Level

Poin

Recognition

ts
Certified
Silver
Gold
Platinum

50 -

Best Practices

59
60 -

Outstanding Performance

69
70 -

National Excellence

79
80 -

Global Leadership

100

IGBC Green Homes

The threshold criteria for certification/pre-certification levels are as under:
Certificati
Individ
on Level
ual Units

Multidwelling Units

Recognition

Certified

38 - 44

50 - 59

Best
Practices

Silver

45 - 51

60 - 69

Outstanding
Performance

Gold

52 - 59

70 - 79

National
Excellence

Platinum

60 - 75

80 - 89

Global
Leadership

IGBC Green Schools

The various levels of rating awarded are:

Certification
Level

Existing
Schools

New
Schools

Recognition

Certified

50 - 59

55 - 65

Best Practices

Silver

60 - 69

66 - 76

Outstanding
Performance

Gold

70 - 79

77 - 87

National
Excellence

Platinum

80 - 100

88 - 110

Global Leadership

Green Factory Building

The threshold criteria for certification/provisional levels are as under:
Certification Level
Certified
Silver
Gold
Platinum

Points
51 60
61 70
71 80
81100

Recognition
Best Practices
Outstanding Performance
National Excellence
Global Leadership

IGBC Green Townships

The threshold criteria for certification/pre-certification levels are as
under:
Certification Level

Points

Recognition

Certified

100 119

Best Practices

Silver

120 139

Outstanding Performance

Gold

140 159

National Excellence

Platinum

160 200

Global Leadership

I
G
B
C

IGBC Green SEZs

The threshold criteria for certification/pre-certification levels are as
under:
Certification Level

Points

Recognition

Certified

51 - 60

Best Practices

Silver

61 - 70

Outstanding Performance

Gold

77 - 80

National Excellence

81 100

Platinum

Global Leadership

IGBC Green Landscapes

The threshold criteria for certification/pre-certification levels are as
under:
Certificatio
n Level

Small Parksarea less than 5

acres

Large Parksarea greater than

5 acres

Recognition

Certified

45 - 53

50 - 59

Best Practices

Silver

54 - 62

60 - 69

Outstanding
Performance

Gold

63 - 71

70 - 79

National
Excellence

Platinum

60 - 75

72 - 90

Global
Leadership

IGBC Green Mass Rapid Transit System

List of Rail based MRTS projects applicable under IGBC Green MRTS
Rating are as under:
Metro Rail Systems
Mono Rail Systems
The current pilot version of IGBC Green MRTS Rating Abridged Version
is only applicable for Metro Rail Systems. IGBC would release applicability
guide of IGBC Green MRTS Rating for Mono Rail systems at a later date.
Scope of IGBC Green MRTS Rating for Metro Rail systems includes
Elevated stations, Underground stations, At grade stations and Viaduct/
Tunnel.
LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Green Building Rating System is a third-party programme
developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Its a
certification for the design, construction and operation of green
buildings.
LEED is a framework for assessing building performance against set
criteria and standard points of references. The benchmarks for the LEED
Green Building Rating System were developed in year 2000 and are
currently available for new and existing constructions.
LEED provides tools to help building owners and operators measure
and improve their buildings' performance in seven key areas of human
and environmental impact:
Sustainable site development
Water savings
Energy efficiency
Materials selection
Indoor environmental quality
Innovation and design
Regional priority

How the LEED certification system works

Each of the seven categories has a series of credits covering the most
relevant environmental issues within. Each credit can give one or more
points according to performance towards achieving the requirements.
The criteria is set out in detailed guidelines for different building types,
such as new construction and existing buildings, schools, healthcare,
retail and commercial interiors. Based on the overall rating of the
building, a silver, gold or platinum certificate is awarded.
The number of points a project earns determines the level of
LEED certification.
There are four levels of certification - the number of points a project
earns determines the level of LEED certification that the project will
receive. Typical certification thresholds are:
PLATINUM
80+ Points
GOLD
60-79 Points
SILVER
50-59 Points
CERTIFIED
40-49 Points

Confed
eration of Indian Industry (CII) formed the Indian Green Building Council
(IGBC) in year 2001. IGBC is the non profit research institution having its
offices in CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, which is itself a
LEED certified Green building. Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has
licensed the LEED Green Building Standard from the USGBC. IGBC
facilitates Indian green structures to become one of the green buildings.
IGBC has developed the following green building rating systems for
different types of building in line and conformity with US Green Building
Council.
Till date, following Green Building rating systems are available
under IGBC;
IGBC Green Homes
IGBC Green New Buildings
IGBC Existing Buildings
IGBC Green Townships
IGBC Green Factory Buildings
IGBC Green SEZ
IGBC Green Schools
IGBC Green Landscaping
IGBC Green Mass Rapid Transit System and
LEED
Some examples of LEED rated building in India

Green Buildings

Rating received

ABN Amro Bank N.V., Ahmedabad

LEED Platinum rated

American Embassy School, Delhi

LEED Gold rated

Anna Centenary Library Building, Chennai

LEED Gold rated

r. No

4
5
6

Biodiversity Conservation India Ltd (BCIL)

Bangalore
Birla International School, Jaipur
CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business
Centre

LEED Platinum rated

LEED Gold rated

LEED Platinum rated

ITC Green Centre Gurgaon

LEED Platinum rated

Olympia Technology Park Chennai

LEED Gold rated

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

Hyderabad

LEED Silver rated

Suzlon Energy Limited global headquarter

in Pune

LEED Platinum rated

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

BEE developed its own rating system for the buildings based on a 1
to 5 star scale. More stars mean more energy efficiency. BEE has
developed the Energy Performance Index (EPI). The unit of Kilo watt
hours per square meter per year is considered for rating the building and
especially targets air conditioned and non-air conditioned office buildings.
The Reserve Bank of Indias buildings in Delhi and Bhubaneshwar, the CII
Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre and many other buildings have
received BEE 5 star ratings.
Indians were aware of Green Building concepts from the beginning.
Conventional homes with baked red colour roof tiles and clay made walls
is a really good example of energy efficient structures that are used to
keep cool during summers and warm during the winters.
Most of rural India is still attached to this building technology with
naturally available materials like clay, wood, jute ropes, etc.
Today we have advanced technologies that create smarter systems
to control inside temperature, lighting systems, power and water supply
and waste generation.
Green buildings might be a bit heavy on the purse but are good for
the environment. In this rapidly changing world, we should adopt the
technology that helps us to save precious natural resources. This would
lead us to true sustainable development.