Green Building Certification- An Overview

Green building certification recognizes buildings that adopt sustainable construction practices and implement solutions to minimize environmental impact. Awarded by relevant authorities, the certification is based on criteria from the IGBC Green New Buildings rating system, which assesses areas like water conservation, waste management, energy efficiency, and reduced use of fossil fuels.

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), buildings contribute to 40% of global energy consumption and a third of greenhouse gas emissions. In India, green building certifications are part of strategic initiatives to help companies achieve long-term sustainability goals while promoting eco-friendly construction and operations.

Facing roadblocks in securing green building certification? Talk to green building certification consultants at FastZeal for a worry-free certification process.

What is Green Building?

According to the World Green Building Council, a green building is designed, constructed, or operated to reduce or eliminate harmful impacts on the climate and environment. These buildings can also create positive environmental effects by preserving natural resources and improving the quality of life.

Green buildings, also known as green construction or eco-friendly buildings, use environmentally responsible and resource-efficient practices throughout their lifecycle. This includes planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.

In India, the government offers significant benefits to buildings with green building certification. These include tax deductions, easier loan access, environmental advantages, and various state-level subsidies. However, green building certification is voluntary and not mandatory, relying on consensus-based implementation.

Criteria For Green Building Certification in India

To obtain a Green Building Certification in India, five key requirements must be met:

1. Sustainable Design

The building project should be developed in a way that maintains ecological balance and does not disrupt the existing environment.

2. Water Usage

The building must use water efficiently, incorporating water-saving strategies such as stormwater tanks with on-site filtration and the protection of nearby hydro-ecosystems.

3. Energy Efficiency

Efforts should be made to minimize the carbon footprint and maximize the use of renewable energy sources. This can include using green technologies like solar panels and smart appliances (e.g., Smart Grid refrigerators) to reduce energy consumption.

4. Indoor Comfort

The building should provide optimal indoor comfort, including good air quality, proper temperature control in varying weather conditions, effective ventilation, and natural sunlight for energy savings.

5. Materials

Construction should minimize the use of non-renewable materials, focusing instead on eco-friendly, recyclable building materials that support environmental design principles.

What are the Green Building Standards and Certification?

Given below are the green building standards and certifications in India-

LEED India

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an independent market-driven program that provides third-party verification for buildings. It applies not only to individual homes but also to the building design process.

To achieve green building certification in India, commercial buildings must score at least 40 out of 110 points, while homes require a minimum of 45 out of 136 points. LEED certification in India promotes a healthier environment by reducing waste, conserving energy, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Building)

GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) was developed by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in 2005. It evaluates building certifications in India based on local climate, building codes, and by-laws. A core principle of GRIHA is to reject globalization in construction practices, instead promoting the use of local materials and substitutes.

The GRIHA variants for building certification in India are:

• Sva-GRIHA: For buildings with an area of 100–2,499 sq.m.
• GRIHA: For buildings with an area of 2,500–150,000 sq.m.
• GRIHA LD (Large Developments): For sites with an area greater than 50 hectares.

IGBC Rating System (Indian Green Building Council Certification)

IGBC is the first India rating module of national green building certification. Its program not only covers commercial buildings but residential as well as factory projects. Indian Green Building Council certification awards points are segregated into the following points:

• Best practices- 51 to 60 Points
• Silver- 61 to 70 Points
• Gold- 71 to 80 Points
• Platinum- 81 to 100 Points

Meanwhile, factories get points for using technologies and modern materials. This IGBC rating for green building is valid for three years.

Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC)

ECBC is specifically designed to rate energy-based performance standards for different building components as per the climatic zone. This was launched by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency in 2017 a futuristic program easy to use. Meanwhile, ECBC ratings have been segregated into ECBC, ECBC Plus, and Super ECBC.

Benefits of Green Building Certification in India

The list of benefits of green building certification in India is as follows:

Tangible Benefits

Green new buildings offer significant reductions in water and energy usage. Energy savings can range from 20% to 30%, while water savings can range from 30% to 50%, starting from the first day of occupancy.

Intangible Benefits

These buildings also provide various intangible advantages, including improved air quality, better tenant health and well-being, enhanced daylighting, increased security, and the conservation of rare natural resources.

Tax Benefits

Under the Income Tax Act, developers of LEED or GBCI-certified buildings can claim up to 100% depreciation on green construction assets such as solar panels, waste management systems, and rainwater harvesting systems.

Loan Benefits and Fast-track Approvals

Green-certified projects are eligible for low-interest loans through the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). These projects also benefit from faster permits, reduced construction fees, and accelerated inspections.

State-level Subsidies

State governments support national green building certification by offering subsidies or tax breaks for energy-efficient buildings and renewable energy projects, encouraging sustainable construction practices.

Environmental Benefits

The Indian government encourages the use of renewable energy and net-zero practices in green buildings, promoting energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and minimizing waste. These efforts align with sustainable development goals (SDGs) and help reduce pollution caused by building operations.

These incentives and benefits are designed to make green construction projects in India more financially viable while promoting private-sector involvement and advancing sustainable building practices.

Procedure for Green Building Certification in India

Here is the step-by-step procedure for obtaining a Green Building Certification in India:

1. Registration

To begin the process of obtaining IGBC green building certification, visit the official website and register. This provides access to necessary files, templates, communications, and other information required for registration.

2. Submission of Documents

After registering, you will need to collect and submit the required documents, along with calculations, to earn credits for the certification.

3. Preliminary Phase

In this phase, you will submit a description of the project along with supporting documents such as test reports, material computations, declarations, contract documents, purchase invoices, and manufacturer sheets. A third-party assessor will review these documents and provide a report within 30 days.

4. Final Phase

The third-party assessor will submit their findings for a final review, which will take another 30 days.

5. Final Certification

After the final verification of all submitted documents, IGBC will grant the green building certification or provide a final rating for the building project.

Indian Green Building Council Certification Process

The Indian Green Building Council Certification process includes-

1. Submission of documents and reports that demonstrate compliance with IGBC criteria and sustainable practices.
2. The IGBC reviews the documentation, conducts site visits and verifies compliance.
3. The IGBC awards certification based on the project’s performance, adherence to green building principles, and meeting certification requirements.
   
   

   Why Pursue a Green Building Certification?

   An effective green building certification system is essential to promote the development of 'green' architectural structures. This system evaluates a building based on various characteristics and features, providing an assessment in line with relevant laws. The certification process not only adds financial credibility to the project but also ensures the building benefits the surrounding environment in ecologically positive ways.

   Following certification standards increases the building's value and enhances its resale potential. Moreover, compliance with these norms lowers maintenance costs, making the building more cost-effective and adaptable to changing climate conditions and the surrounding ecosystem.

   The reasons for pursuing a green building product certification can vary, but the rating system provides clear guidance in a market filled with various green options. It outlines the green standards to be followed and specifies the types of green products that should be incorporated into the building construction process. This helps ensure consistency and clarity in meeting sustainability goals.

Fees for Green Building Certification in India

The fees for obtaining Green Building Certification in India vary depending on the certification system and the size of the building project. Here’s a breakdown of the typical fees for some popular certification systems:

Indian Green Building Council (IGBC):

Registration Fee:

1. IGBC Members: 25,000
2. Non-Members: 30,000

Pre-certification/Provisional Certification Fee:

For projects up to 20,000 sq.m:

1. IGBC Founding Members: 2,00,000
2. IGBC Annual Members: 2,25,000
3. Non-Members: 2,50,000

For larger projects, fees increase based on the built-up area.

Certification Fee:

For projects up to 5,000 sq.m:

1. IGBC Founding Members: 1,80,000
2. IGBC Annual Members: 1,90,000
3. Non-Members: 2,00,000

For larger projects, fees are based on the built-up area.

Timeline for Obtaining Green Building Certification

Considering the stages of gathering and submitting the documents for review to the concerned authority, the timeline for obtaining green building certification is 30 to 60 days.

To acquire the green building certification, book an appointment with our green building certification consultants.

Reasons to Trust Fastzeal for Green Building Certification in India

Fastzeal's green building certification consultants are experts dedicated to guiding you through the certification process. Given below are the reasons why entrepreneurs prefer Fastzeal for Green Building Certification in India-

• Expert Guidance for Obtaining Green Building Certification in India
• Secured 2000+ Green Building Certificates
• More than a Decade of Experience in the National Green Building Certification
• Ensures Adherence to All Necessary Standards and Regulations throughout the Green Building Product Certification Process
• Cost-Effective Services at Competitive Rates to Meet Client Needs for Edge Certification Green Building
• An Advanced System Enables Quick and Effective Resolution of Client Concerns
• Helps Clients Contribute to Sustainability by Promoting Eco-friendly Construction Practices
• Supports Clients in Accessing Tax Incentives, Reduced Operational Costs, and Other Benefits tied to Certification
• Simplifies the Green Building Certification Journey, Making it Hassle-free and Time-efficient
• FastZeal’s Expertise and Technology-driven Platform Ensure a Seamless Experience for Clients