Green Buildings "A green building is one which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, conserves natural

resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building." - IGBC A green Building Minimizes depletion of natural resources during its construction and operation Minimizes pollution: Water pollution, Air pollution, Soil degradation, Erosion, Solid waste Uses minimum energy to power itself Uses efficient equipments: lighting, air conditioning, etc. Maximizes the use of renewable energy sources Uses efficient building materials and construction practices Uses efficient waste and water management practices Provides comfortable and hygienic indoor environment Benefits of Green Buildings Minimal impact on site and surroundings (tries to retain the natural site conditions) Erosion control Storm water management Pollution control Tree protection Heat island control Saves water by upto 30-40% By reducing irrigation water requirement Use of efficient fixtures Rain water harvesting Waste water treatment on site Recycle and reuse of water

Saves energy by 40-50% Minimize building energy demand through: Solar Passive Design Use of efficient building systems Maximum use of renewable energy Solid waste management Reduction in waste during construction Efficient waste segregation at source Suitable storage and disposal at building level Resource recovery from waste Use of sustainable building materials Use of recycled material: Fly ash, blast furnace slag Adopting efficient technologies Use of low-energy materials Use of sustainable building materials

Minimal negative impact on people / Healthy and productive work environment Clean environment for construction workers Day lighting/natural ventilation Universal accessibility

Two popular green building movement and green building rating systems in India
1) TERI MNRE Supported ADARSH (rating system GRIHA) ADaRSH, Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitats, is an independent platform for the interaction on scientific and administrative issues related to sustainable habitats in the Indian subcontinent. It was founded jointly by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi) and MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India) along with a handful of experts in the sustainability of built environment from across the country. ADaRSH promotes GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) as a design & evaluation tool for Green Buildings and Habitats.

2) USGBC (US green Building council)- CII promoted IGBC (Rating SystemLEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design))

About IGBC (Indian green Building council) IGBC which is part of CII- Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, is actively involved in promoting the Green Building concept in India. The council is represented by all stakeholders of construction industry comprising of Corporate, Government & Nodal Agencies, Architects, Product manufacturers, Institutions, etc. The council operates on a consensus based approach and member-driven. The vision of the council is to usher green building revolution and India to become one of the world leaders in green buildings by 2015.

IGBC Services: IGBC is facilitating the green building movement through the following services:

Certification of Green Buildings in India IGBC Accredited Professional examination Green Building workshops & training programs Green Building missions Green Building Congress - India's flagship event on green buildings

LEED-INDIA promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in the following five key areas: Sustainable site development Water savings Energy efficiency Materials selection and Indoor environmental quality Rates buildings on certified to Platinum Scale. (Certified, silver, gold and Platinum) IGBC has currently separate rating systems for Homes New constructions (more than 2500 sq m.) Townships Factory buildings SEZs

Green Cities
Nearly half the worlds population lives in townsand cities. Over the next quarter-century virtually all population growth will be in urban areas in less developed countries. The environmental consequences of urban growth are considerable. Cities are prolifi c users of natural resources and generators of waste. They produce most of the greenhouse gases that are causing global climate change. They often also degrade local water quality, deplete aquifers, pollute the marine environment, foul the air and consume the land.

So a majority of the world's energy consumption either occurs in cities or as a direct result of the way that cities function (eg through transport of goods to points of consumption in cities Cities cover less than 1% of the earth's surface but are disproportionately responsible for causing climate change.

Currently, around 50% of the worlds population live in cities. Until 2030, 60% of the world's population growth will occur in cities Cities and urban areas consume some 75% of the world's energy and are responsible for up to 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. Cities directly or indirectly account for 60% of world's water use
Important points which green cities need to tackle The role of cities in global environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity and coastal pollution. To provide improved sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation through the promotion of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) and related activities, such as capacity building, policy support, information and tools for assessments and awareness raising. In the field of waste management, especially on promoting ESTs for converting waste into a valuable resource SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT