Sustainable approach is the need of the hour, including in the real estate space. While countries like the United States and Canada are way ahead in the sustainable green buildings concept, India is not far.

In a recent interview to ET Reality, Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI) said that the footprint of the green building in India is expected to triple by 2020 from the current level of 1.17 billion sq. ft. driven by a significant push on conversion and retrofit of existing structures.

India presently accounts for 10 - 12% of global space under green buildings which put the country in the 3^rd position across the world. Having said that, a country hosting more than a billion should be first!

The green concepts and techniques in the building sector can help address national issues like water efficiency, energy efficiency, reduction in fossil fuel use in commuting, handling of consumer waste and conserving natural resources. India has issues like sanitation, water shortage etc, and green building concept seems the only way out.

Formed in the year 2001, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), which is a part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is the monitoring authority for green buildings in India. IGBC Green New Buildings rating system addresses green features under the following factors:

• Sustainable Architecture and Design
• Site Selection and Planning
• Water Conservation
• Energy Efficiency
• Building Materials and Resources
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Innovation and Development

So what are the benefits?

Green New buildings can have tremendous benefits, both tangible and intangible. The most tangible benefits are the reduction in water and energy consumption right from day one of occupancy. The energy savings could range from 20 - 30% and water savings around 30 - 50%. The intangible benefits of green new buildings include enhanced air quality, health and well-being of the occupants, safety benefits and conservation of scarce national resources.