The Higher Costs Involved In Developing Green Buildings Are Definitely A Deterrent For Many Developers.

Santhosh Kumar, Vice Chairman, ANAROCK Group

How is the concept of green buildings picking up in the country? What is the current market share of green buildings in India?

Despite increasing awareness, most of the demand for sustainable buildings currently comes from consumers of commercial real estate – largely because a vast number of MNCs now insist on the kinds of sustainability features that only Grade A office buildings put on the table.

If we consider numbers, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) started with a modest 20,000 sq. ft. green built-up area in the country in 2003. By 1 June 2023, IGBC reports that there are 11,053 registered projects with a green building footprint of over 10.27 bn sq. ft. area.

Market reports indicate that green buildings cost more compared to conventional buildings. How can we make green buildings more economical?

The price difference between certified green homes and non-green ones is definitely there for the budget-conscious first-time homebuyers. While green homes are at least 10-15% costlier, depending on various facilities and factors but the fact is they offer long-term savings. A green home results in at least 30-40% savings on energy and water bills.

However, the higher costs involved in developing green buildings are definitely a deterrent for many developers, as increased costs must be pushed on to buyers. Because of the price factor, the current demand for green housing comes more from financially settled buyers rather than from first-home buyers for whom such a price difference for what is essentially the same amount of space makes a considerable difference.

What kinds of materials are being used to increase sustainability and energy efficiency in buildings?

Using sustainable materials for construction and energy-efficient products are key for a green building. Several materials are becoming increasingly popular for increasing sustainability and energy-efficiency in buildings. For instance, recycled concrete, structural insulated panels, polyurethane insulation, sustainable timber, green roofs and wall, rain water harvesting etc.  

What is the way forward for increasing the sustainable construction and more green buildings in future?

Initiatives and incentives by both the Central and State government can go a long way in not only creating awareness but also development of green and net zero buildings. One of the key things for this is that the approval process needs to be easy and fast-track. But the real problem is that there is no clear definition of a net zero building by the government. While the Model Building Code 2016 talks of sustainable and green buildings but it does not make a mention of net-zero buildings. Similarly, Bureau of Energy Standards also rates net zero buildings but its parameters are different from other rating agencies like IGBC. Hence, there needs to be set guidelines and regulations across all agencies which itself will help in faster delivery of such buildings. That said, net zero buildings are gradually becoming increasingly popular in order to reduce the carbon footprint and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.