India started green revolution to combat increasing pollution. The very immediate solution is to convert the existing builfdings into ‘green buildings’. In this process, several recommendations made, and green building revolution is selected.
A likely answer to India’s rising pollution levels and poor air quality index may be green buildings. Although the exorbitant costs appear to be a barrier, the long-term advantages of reduced energy costs and improved quality of life, together with the government’s initiative, may cause a rise in their demand in the near future.
For most people in India, owning a home is a dream. But one must also take into account the poor air quality index (AQI), particularly in major cities like the national capital region (NCR) of Delhi, where severe levels of pollution, particularly in the winter, occur.
Delhi was the most polluted city in India in 2022, according to recently released data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with PM2.5 levels more than twice the safe permitted limit and PM10 at the third-highest average concentration.
Are green buildings a viable remedy for the rising pollution?
According to the real estate sector, green buildings are not just a solution but will ultimately be the only practical answer for nations like India.
Given that, the response for green buildings aren’t very encouraging at present. At present, only about 5 per cent of the total buildings in India are certified green. There lies a tremendous potential for further penetration of green building technology in India,” says Santhosh Kumar, vice chairman, Anarock Group, a property consultants firm.
A Green Building: What Is It? What Sets It Apart From Regular Buildings?
A “green building” is one that uses energy- and environmentally-friendly techniques and technology throughout all phases of its existence, including design, construction, use, maintenance, and renovation.
According to data provided by Anarock, green buildings can drastically reduce trash output through comprehensive recycling while reducing energy consumption by 20–30% and water usage by 30–50%.
In addition to the obvious benefits of protecting the ecosystem and biodiversity, using green construction techniques improves air quality, increases daylight, which reduces power consumption, improves health and general well-being, and increases productivity in commercial buildings.
How Do Green Buildings Differ Structurally?
The criteria used to provide green certificates serve as the best indicator of the differences between green and conventional buildings. These focus on the building’s water conservation and efficiency measures, its energy efficiency in comparison to other structures, the types of building materials and resources used, the quality, health, and comfort of the indoor environment they provide, as well as how sustainably the site has been developed and the extent to which sustainable facility management has been implemented.
Green buildings considerably enhance savings through 32% energy savings, 52% water savings, and 53% less embodied energy in materials, according to Pradeep Aggarwal, founder and chairman of Signature Global. Green buildings’ use of toxic-free materials and their design make it possible to consume less energy without sacrificing tenant comfort. These structures have superior natural lighting, ventilation, and indoor air quality. Furthermore, from the exterior, a conventional building and a green building might not look all that different from one another.
India’s Green Building Situation and Requirements
India was ranked third in the world for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design with 146 accredited buildings and spaces, or about 2.8 million gross square metres (LEED) of green buildings in 2021, according to the US Green Building Council’s annual report.
China took top place with more than 14 million gross square metres, and Canada certified more than 3.2 million gross square metres.
The most well-known green building grading system globally is LEED. The organisation in charge of LEED in India is called Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), which has been working to speed the adoption of green buildings across the country.
Green buildings are defined, categorised, and certified by a number of organisations and programmes in various nations, including LEED (the US), BREEAM (the UK), DGNB (Germany), and CASBEF (Japan). The promotion of green building programmes and certifications is spearheaded in India by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and GRIHA.
Is It Financially Beneficial To Purchase A Condo In A Green Building?
For first-time homebuyers, pricing has always been an important consideration, and many still do so today. In India, green housing is still somewhat of an aristocratic idea and option rather than a requirement.
For first-time homeowners on a tight budget, the price disparities between certified green homes and non-green ones are significant.
Green homes cost at least 10-15% extra, depending on numerous amenities and circumstances, according to statistics provided by Anarock.
Having said that, this extra expense is a contribution to future savings. Energy and water costs can be reduced by 30–40% in a green home. According to real estate experts, the greater costs associated with creating green buildings hinder developers of low and mid-range developments because these expenses must be passed on to consumers.
According to Kumar, the current demand for green housing is driven more by buyers who are financially secure than by first-time homeowners, for whom such a price differential for essentially the same amount of room makes a significant difference.
Yashank Wasson, managing director of Royal Green Realty, which has a project under development in Gurugram’s Sector called Royal Green Heights 62, and which is certified by IGBC, says that the construction of a green building adds 20 per cent to the overall cost of construction.
“A third of the electricity used is in residential and commercial structures. Whether in regards to water or electricity, one can easily realise gains of at least 25%, he claims.
India’s actual experience with green buildings
In seven cities, there were 39.59 million square feet of LEED-certified buildings between January 2022 and October 2022, according to a Knight Frank India survey. The biggest gross floor area of LEED-certified buildings was found in Delhi-NCR (9.85 million sq. ft.), which was also among the top 7 Indian cities at the time. The gross floor area of LEED certified buildings was 4.88 million square feet in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
In the top seven main markets from January to October 2022, India registered 82 platinum certified buildings, 49 gold certified buildings, and four silver certified buildings. The most platinum-certified buildings, 22 in all, were registered by NCR.
Green construction projects that have received pre-certification or provisional certification from IGBC are eligible for quick environmental approval from the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
There are certain state governments that provide additional floor space ratios, such those in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, and Maharashtra. Additionally, some state governments offer financial aid for fixed capital investments. Some states also provide reductions on things like property tax on fixed capital investment. Some states are also offering discounts on property tax, etc. #hydnews #khabarlive #hydlive