Summary of this article
IGBC, GRIHA and LEED assess different aspects of sustainability.
Certification levels and standards vary across green building systems.
Homebuyers should verify certification status and project-specific sustainability features.
As sustainability becomes an important consideration in the real estate market in India, homebuyers are often met with certification terms like IGBC, GRIHA, and LEED while they are on their homebuying journey. These certifications assess a building’s environmental performance, but they are not interchangeable. Understanding what each certification and rating means can help buyers differentiate between genuine sustainability and broad green marketing claims. There are primarily three main certifications in India regarding sustainable housing, which are IGBC, GRIHA and LEED.
“Green certifications are an independent, third-party validation of a project's environmental performance; usually covering energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, indoor air quality, and sustainable construction practice,” says Manik Malik, CEO & President, BPTP
IGBC: India-focused certification for homes
IGBC, or the Indian Green Building Council, offers a green homes rating system that is specifically designed for individual homes and multi-dwelling residential developments. The system evaluates factors that include site planning, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials and resources. IGBC Green Homes classifies homes on four different levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. These systems also include mandatory requirements that projects must meet before they qualify for certification. Buyers should ask whether the project is pre-certified or has received final certification.
GRIHA: India’s national green rating system
Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, or GRIHA, is India’s green building rating system. This certification system was developed by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and later adopted by the Government of India. This system evaluates the building’s environmental performance in the context of India’s diverse climatic conditions. Unlike others, which focus on energy efficiency, GRIHA takes a broader look at a lifecycle-focused approach. Its assessment can cover design, construction, and operational functions. Factors such as energy and water consumption, and site plans are a part of the evaluation.
For larger projects, GRIHA is quite relevant. Its main rating applies to projects that size up to 5,000 square meters.
LEED: A global benchmark
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, is a rating system that is recognised internationally. This certification system is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used across residential, commercial and institutional projects globally. For residential developments, LEED certification assesses areas such as energy and water efficiency, materials, indoor quality and sustainable practices. For Indian prospective buyers, LEED certification provides an internationally recognised benchmark. However, it is quite important to check the specific LEED rating system and version under which the project has been certified.
Why These Certifications Matter?
A green certification is not a guarantee of lower monthly expenses or premium construction quality. Buyers should question their respective developers for a certification number, rating level, certification status and the specific features which are incorporated into the project.
“A few years ago, green certification was something buyers rarely asked about. Today, that is changing. More homebuyers want to know how a project will perform over the next twenty or thirty years, not just how it looks on the day they take possession. Buyers today are far more conscious of their environmental impact and increasingly consider the carbon footprint of the communities they choose to live in. They are looking for homes that are not only future-ready but also contribute to a more sustainable way of living. Today's buyers also recognise that they are custodians of the planet. They want to pass it on to the next generation in the same, if not better, condition than they inherited it. That is why sustainability is no longer just a developer's responsibility; it has become a shared aspiration between developers and homebuyers,” said Sudeep Bhatt, Director, Strategy, Whiteland Corporation.
They should also examine practical outcomes that affect their life after investing in such projects.
