IGBC Green New Buildings Rating System Launched Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), with the support of all stakeholders, has launched its 7th Green Building rating system – IGBC Green New Buildings rating system®. The new rating system is a voluntary and consensus based programme. It has been developed based on materials and technologies presently available. The objective of the system is to facilitate water efficiency, waste handling, energy efficiency and environmentally friendly buildings. The rating system evaluates certain mandatory requirements and credit points using a prescriptive approach, and others on a performance based approach. It is evolved so as to be comprehensive and at the same time user-friendly. The programme is designed to address national priorities and quality of life for occupants. 

Some of the unique aspects addressed in this rating system are:

Scope: IGBC Green New Buildings rating system is designed primarily for new buildings. New buildings include (but are not limited to) offices, IT parks, banks, shopping malls, hotels, airports, stadiums, convention centers, libraries, museums, etc., Building types such as residential, factory buildings and schools too will be covered under other IGBC rating programmes.

Overview and Process: The rating system addresses green features under the following categories:

The guidelines detailed under each mandatory requirement and credit enable the design and construction of new buildings of all sizes and types (as defi ned in the scope). Different levels of green building certification are awarded based on the total credits earned. However, every green new building should meet certain mandatory requirements, which are non-negotiable.

Registration: Project teams interested in IGBC Green New Buildings rating system Certification for their project must first

register with IGBC. Projects can be registered on IGBC website (www.igbc.in). The website contains information on registration fee for IGBC member companies as well as non-members. Registration is the initial step which helps establish contact with IGBC and provides access to the required documents, templates, important communications and other necessary information. IGBC website will have all important details on registration and certification – process, schedule and fee.

Certification: To achieve an IGBC Green New Buildings rating, the project must satisfy all the mandatory requirements and the minimum number of credit points. The project documentation is submitted in two phases – preliminary submittal and final submittal.

Conclusion: The next 10 years will be the decade of integrated sustainable built environment. This will mostly be in the form of large integrated townships, satellite cities and residential complexes. Hence, this rating will enable projects to conceive, design and construct all their upcoming new projects as IGBC certified green buildings. IGBC is confident that in the days to come, this new rating system will develop new benchmarks and will go a long way in developing ecologically superior green buildings in the country.