Written by: M. Anand, Deputy Executive Director, CII Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)
India is at the forefront of a transformation that will define its urban future for decades. Rapid urbanization, burgeoning real estate development, and infrastructure expansion have created an unparalleled opportunity to embed sustainability into the nation’s growth.
Established by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in 2001, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has been a catalyst in shaping India’s green building movement. With over 15,000 projects accounting for a registered green footprint of 13.04 billion square feet, IGBC has placed India among the global leaders in sustainable construction. Our primary mission has been to transform the built environment to make it environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially beneficial.
We believe that development and environmental responsible construction can coexist. IGBC has 32 unique rating systems cutting across all building typologies, addressing the diverse needs of India’s real estate and infrastructure sectors. These systems cater to residential buildings, commercial complexes, factories, schools, hospitals, logistic parks, data centres, cities, townships and even villages, helping stakeholders integrate green and sustainable practices into their projects effectively.
Achievements
Over the years, IGBC’s efforts have created awareness across industries, leading to substantial benefits:
- Resource Conservation: Green buildings certified by IGBC have contributed to annual savings of 64.3 billion units of energy, conserving 198 billion litres of water, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 51.4 million tonnes.
- Skill Development: We have trained and certified over 8,000 IGBC-accredited professionals, creating a robust knowledge ecosystem to support the green building movement.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: IGBC works with the government both at the central and state, construction industry associations, and international organizations like the World Green Building Council to align policies, share best practices, and drive innovation in sustainable construction. IGBC also works on individual basis with leading industry players to spread awareness and educate on sustainability in real estate business.
Vision –
Looking ahead, IGBC’s vision is to position India as a leader in sustainable construction. Our focus areas include:
- Net-Zero Buildings: We aim to make all existing, brownfield and greenfield projects net-zero by 2050. The recently launched Net-Zero Certifications are a significant step in encouraging developers to adopt carbon-neutral practices in energy, water, and waste management.
- Sustainable Cities: With rapid urbanization, IGBC is committed to guiding the development of smart, green cities that prioritize resource efficiency, pollution control, and citizen well-being.
- Policy Integration: We actively collaborate with state and central governments to embed sustainability in regulatory frameworks. Initiatives like mandatory compliance with the Energy Conservation Sustainability Building Code (ECSBC) and with 13 State Governments recognizing IGBC’s Green Rating Systems offering incentives for IGBC projects are a testament to our successful advocacy efforts.
- Technology and Innovation: IGBC emphasizes the adoption of technologies such as renewable energy systems, smart monitoring and controlling systems, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly construction materials to enhance sustainability in real estate and infrastructure projects.
- Data Centres: IGBC plays a crucial role in advancing India’s data center initiatives, collaborating with 50+ centres to adopt best practices and minimize environmental impact. IGBC’s unique Green Data Centre Certification framework addresses all three scopes of emissions while enhancing operational stability. Additionally, IGBC offers a simplified and precise tool for evaluating Design PUE, streamlining the process to enhance the energy efficiency to global standard benchmarks.
- Retrofitting: IGBC has developed India’s first Green Existing Building Rating System to assist in the retrofitting of old buildings. This rating system provides a framework for assessing the sustainability performance of existing buildings and offers guidelines on Energy and Water efficiency; Indoor environmental quality; and Site and Facility Management.
Real Estate and Infrastructure –
The real estate and infrastructure sectors, as contributors to India’s economy, also have a wide environmental impact. By adopting IGBC-certified practices, developers and builders can reap tangible benefits:
- Enhanced Marketability: Green buildings are increasingly becoming a preferred choice among buyers and investors, adding value to all the stakeholders.
- Reduction in Energy and Water Bills: Green buildings save 30–50% water compared to conventional ones, translating into ₹500–₹1,000 savings per home per month. Energy savings of 20–30% result in ₹300–₹700 per home per month in reduced electricity costs.
- Attractive Payback Period: Though built at a negligible premium (2-3% incremental cost), operational savings from reduced resource consumption often balance initial investments.
- Reduced Dependency on Municipal Resources: Efficient energy, waste, and water systems reduce demand for municipal services like electricity, garbage management, and water supply, leading to lower maintenance costs and better services.
- Higher Property Appreciation: Built with future-ready materials and technologies, green buildings ensure superior quality, longevity, and higher appreciation compared to conventional assets.
Collaborations –
Sustainability is a collective responsibility that needs active participation of all stakeholders—government, developers, policymakers, architects, engineers, and citizens. IGBC fosters these collaborations through initiatives like the Green Building Congress, Green Property Show, and training programs. These facilitate knowledge sharing, innovation, and the exchange of best practices.
In addition, IGBC actively engages with organizations like CREDAI, NAREDCO, ISHRAE, IIA, IIID and others to amplify the reach and impact of the green building movement. Our partnerships with government agencies ensure alignment with national priorities such as Swachh Bharat, Smart Cities Mission, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
As India is moving towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, the need to balance development with sustainability has never been more essential. The construction industry has an opportunity to lead this transformation, demonstrating that growth can be achieved without sacrificing the planet’s health. IGBC’s commitment to this cause remains unwavering. With the collective efforts of stakeholders and the support of newer policies, we believe we can create a built environment that meets the needs of the present without jeopardizing future generations. As we continue to make strides in promoting sustainable construction, we are confident that our efforts will leave a lasting impact on India’s growth story.
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