Dr. Prem C Jain Chairman, Indian Green Building Council
"A green building is one which uses less water, improves energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building."
Modern Green Building movement was ushered in India when CII-Godrej GBC building in Hyderabad gained the unique distinction of becoming India's first Platinum rated Green Building in the year 2004. It was the Greenest building in the world at that point in time and continues to be one of the Greenest buildings in the world. CII-Godrej GBC building served as a demonstration Green Building and in the process encouraged & inspired stakeholders go the Green way.
Moving ahead, IGBC understood that each building type is unique and functional requirements are different. Hence, to suit every building type, IGBC has launched Nine Green Building Rating Systems. All the Rating Systems are fully aligned with National Standards and Codes.
Following are the Green Building Rating Systems launched by IGBC.
- IGBC Green New Buildings
- IGBC Existing Buildings
- IGBC Green Homes
- IGBC Green Landscape
- IGBC Green Factory Buildings
- IGBC Green SEZ's
- IGBC Green Townships
- IGBC Green Schools
- IGBC Green Mass Rapid Transit System
As a result of concerted efforts, today, IGBC is in the forefront in facilitating stakeholders to conceive, design, construct their projects Green by design. All types of buildings, across the country are going the IGBC way.
Today, India with over 3.10 Billion Sq.ft of green building footprint is the second country in the world with largest green building footprint. Over 3,245 Projects are registered with IGBC, including 671 IGBC rated green buildings which are already operational across the country.
Green Building make Good Business Sense
It was earlier assumed that constructing a Green Building was not technically feasible & economically viable. However, IGBC in a very short spell of time shattered this myth. IGBC with the support of the stakeholders, has facilitated in successfully demonstrating a clear Business Case for Green Buildings.Today, the incremental cost of a commercial green building is about 3 to 5 %. The additional costs gets paid back in about 3 to 4 years with substantial reduction in operational costs. This important proposition is encouraging stakeholders go the Green way.
This in the process has also opened new market opportunities for green building products and technologies. IGBC estimates that the market potential for green materials & technologies would be about USD 300 Billion by 2025.
CII aspires to facilitate 10 Billion Sq.ft of green building footprint by 2022 (75th year of Independent India)
Glimpses of Green Building Congress 2014, 4-6 September 2014, Hyderabad
Green Building Congress
Playing a pivotal role in the National Green Building movement is IGBC's Green Building Congress. Initiated in the year 2001, the event, over the years, has consolidated itself as India's premier event on Green Buildings.Green Building Congress is held in different cities every year with an aim to educate, inform, network, and unite all the stakeholders to spearhead the green building movement in India. The event has grown steadily over the years in terms of content, participation, and involvement of stakeholders.
The flagship event features a 3-day International Conference & Exhibition. Conference is marked by master speaker sessions, technical sessions and concurrent sessions.
Another important feature of Green Building Congress is the international exhibition, where number of companies display their latest & emerging green building products and technologies. This is one such platform where the visitors can get a touch and feel of the latest and emerging green building products and technologies.
GBC 2015
To further advance green building movement in the country, IGBC is organising the 13th edition of Green Building Congress 2015 during 19 - 21 November 2015 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India; Forest & Environment Department, Government of Gujarat; and Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) are supporting the event.
Theme
Green Building Congress 2015 would focus on 'Green Smart & Healthy Cities'. The theme for the current edition is in sync with Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of developing 100 Green Smart Cities across India.
It is estimated that building stock is all set to grow to 100 Billion Sq.ft by 2030. Here lies great opportunity for India to construct all the upcoming cities as Smart Green Cities by design, and set new global standards in construction design and operations.
By treading this path, infrastructural costs come down significantly. Green Buildings also holistically address national priorities which includes conservation of natural resources, infrastructure, water efficiency, energy efficiency, handling of domestic waste, and health & well-being of the occupants. This in the process will facilitate a greener and healthier India.
In light of this, key stakeholders of the construction sector will converge at Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat to learn more on the latest and emerging green building concepts & technologies.
Some of the key speakers who would be sharing their thoughts & perspectives include -Ar B V Doshi; Dr Ken Yeang; Mr Jean Grebert; Ar Peter Dworjanyn; Ar Kim Richards; Ar Yatin Pandya; Ar Ludovic Jonard, and Mr Eli Cohen. There would be many more national and international experts who will be present at the event and will share their perspectives for a Greener & Healthier Planet Earth.
Highlights of Green Building Congress 2015
- Over 2,000 Delegates (International & National)
- Over 5,000 Footfalls for Exhibition
- Over 100 speakers (International & National)
- Over 100 Exhibitors
Curtain Raiser GBC
IGBC in its efforts to further advance the Green Building movement in the country has organised a Curtain Raiser programme on GBC 2015 recently where Dr Prem C Jain, Chairman, IGBC underlined that, IGBC foresees that the next 10-20 years will be the decade of integrated sustainable built environment. This presents an excellent opportunity to design all urban habitats as green from day one and influence the way of life of people who live in such cities. Green Smart Cities would be a perfect combination of modern technological innovations and sustainable practices, he added.
Dr Jain informed that presentations, discussions at Green Building Congress 2015 would be focusing on how to take forward the National agenda of 'Green, Smart & Healthy Cities'. The event would also discuss on how to tap emerging growth opportunities, he added.
Mr Sameer Sinha, Chairman, IGBC Ahmedabad Chapter underlined that, it is indeed heartening to witness how the Government has adopted Smart Cities concept in the full earnest and with great passion & enthusiasm. Going the Smart Green Cities way will facilitate a greener and healthier India. The need of the hour is to demonstrate the manifold benefits of green buildings to the stakeholders. This is what Green Building Congress 2015 aims to achieve, he said. The event will act as a major catalyst for Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of developing 100 Smart Cities across India, he highlighted.
Mr Jayesh Hariyani, Co-Chair, IGBC Ahmedabad Chapter said that Green Building Congress 2015 aims to involve, engage and enrich all the stakeholders into the smart and green movement. National and international experts will share their thoughts & perspectives on the theme. This in turn will greatly enrich the delegates, he added.
Mr S Raghupathy, Executive Director, CII-Godrej GBC, said that, today, India with over 3 Billion Sq.ft of green building footprint is the second country in the world and has established itself as one of the global thought leaders in green buildings. Over the years, India has gained significant experience & technical expertise and is well poised to lead the global green building movement.
