Coimbatore: India has bagged the prestigious distinction of becoming one of the top five countries in constructing buildings under 'GREEN PROJECTS.'
Coimbatore: India has bagged the prestigious distinction of becoming one of the top five countries in constructing buildings under 'GREEN PROJECTS.'
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), was formed by CII in 2001, with support from the government, architects, corporate firms, developers, engineers, research institutes and other stakeholders. It has enabled India to bag the prestigious distinction of becoming one of the top five countries in the world in terms of built-up area of green projects.
As on date, India has 5,975 projects, spanning 7.55 billion sq ft of green buildings and green built environment that are adopting IGBC’s Green rating programmes. These green projects executed by both the government and private sector have adopted IGBC’s many rating systems, including Green Homes, Green New Buildings, Green Healthcare Facilities, Green Schools, Green Factory Buildings, Green Campuses, Green Townships, Green Cities, and others.
The IGBC has launched 26 holistic Green Rating programmes that cater to the design, construction and operations of almost all project typologies. IGBC is also a founding member of the World Green Building Council (WGBC is the nodal body of country councils from across the globe), and IGBC’s achievements have been appreciated and recognized by the World GBC in numerous forums.
Speaking on this occasion, V Suresh, National Chairman, IGBC, said, “We have now achieved 75% of our dream to facilitate 10 Billion sq ft of green building footprint by 2022. India can become a world leader in a sustainable built environment only with the continued support, guidance and involvement of various national and international stakeholders. All the rating systems of IGBC are designed to address national priorities, and are facilitating India in meeting many of the Sustainable Development Goals developed by the United Nations”, he said.
Gurmit Singh Arora, Vice Chairman, IGBC, mentioned, “What began as one green building project in 2001 – the IGBC headquarters in Hyderabad, has become a national movement, and today this movement belongs to all of us. We should build on the green momentum which we have collectively generated over the past two decades, and take the movement to the next level.
The current pandemic has demonstrated the extraordinary ability of human beings to act as one, when most needed. The green building fraternity too will come closer and the green movement shall emerge stronger from this experience”, he said.
Rajesh Lund, Chairman, IGBC Coimbatore chapter said, “Tamil Nadu has been one of the fastest growing states in terms of green building projects. The acceptance among the developers to adopt sustainable design, construction and certification has been widespread.
The movement has now spread beyond the boundaries of Coimbatore city into other districts and suburbs. The support from the state government has been exemplary. The state has more than 450 green building projects covering 346 million sq ft of Green footprint. We are happy to contribute to India achieving this significant milestone”, he said.
"The office of SIERRA ODC Private Limited, located in Coimbatore, is the world’s 2nd highest rated platinum building, and is certified by IGBC, and our recent association with Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) added more strength to making a Greener India. In line with Atmanirbhar Bharat and ‘Vocal for Local’, IGBC has trained over 40,000 professionals on green building concepts.
These professionals have gone on to offer consultancy for certification, energy audit, simulation study, CFD analysis and various other environmental services which enhance building efficiency", he added.
"We also request the government to consider additional incentives, apart from FAR, such as reduction in development charges and rebate in property tax to projects which are rated by IGBC", he said and thanked all the IGBC members, stakeholders, partner associations for their continued support and urged all to recommit themselves to an environment-friendly lifestyle and culture."
Newer areas on which IGBC is currently focussed are sustaining superior energy, water and waste management in existing Green buildings through renovation and retro-fitting, Green Logistics Parks, Warehouses, and above all, enhanced health and well-being of occupants in buildings, which is apt amid the current pandemic.