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Environmental
Sciences
Paper 12 Environmental Management
Module 23 GRIHA Rating of Green Buildings
Paper No: 12 Environmental Management
Module: 23 GRIHA Rating of Green Buildings
Development Team
Principal Investigator
&
Co- Principal Investigator
Prof. R.K. Kohli
Prof. V.K. Garg& Prof. Ashok Dhawan
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
Paper Coordinator
Dr Sunil Mittal
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
Content Writer
Dr. A.K. Jain
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
Content Reviewer Dr. Sunil Mittal
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
Anchor Institute
Central University of Punjab
Environmental
Sciences
Paper 12 Environmental Management
Module 23 GRIHA Rating of Green Buildings
Description of Module
Subject Name Environmental Sciences
Paper Name Environmental Management
Module
Name/Title GRIHA Rating of Green Buildings
Module Id EVS/EM-XIX/23
Pre-requisites
Objectives To learn about the procedure of rating of green buildings
Keywords GHRIA, LEED, IBG, Green Building
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Paper 12 Environmental Management
Module 23 GRIHA Rating of Green Buildings
Module 23 : GRIHA Rating of Green Buildings
1. Introduction
2. GRIHA - Projects Eligible for Rating
2.1 Registration Process
2.2 Project Evaluation Process
3 Criteria of the Rating System
3.1 Site Selection and Site Planning
3.2 Building Planning and Construction Stage
3.3 Recycle, recharge, and reuse of water
3.4 Waste management
3.5 Health and well-being during post-construction occupation
3.6 Building Operation and Maintenance
3.7 Innovation
4 Rating of Very Small Buildings
5 Main Benefits of Rating of a Green Building
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1. Introduction
A green building rating system is an evaluation tool that measures environmental
performance of a building through its life cycle. It usually comprises of a set of criteria
covering various parameters related to design, construction and operation of a green building.
Each criterion has pre-assigned points and sets performance benchmarks and goals that are
largely quantifiable. A project is awarded points once it fulfills the rating criteria. The points
are added up and the final rating of a project is decided. Rating systems call for independent
third party evaluation of a project and different processes are put in place to ensure a fair
evaluation. Globally, green building rating systems are largely voluntary in nature and have
been instrumental in raising awareness and popularizing green building designs. In India,
primarily rating from the 3 organizations is recognized. The 3 organizations are:
LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Rating is given as Silver, Gold or
Platinum on the basis of checklist of credits that can be achieved for 7 major categories i.e.
1) Sustainable Sites 2) Water Efficiency 3) Energy & Atmosphere 4) Materials & Resources
5) Indoor Environmental Quality 6) Innovation & Design Process 7) Regional Priority
IGBC: Indian Green Building Council. It is similar to LEED.
GRIHA: Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment. It is a star (1-5) rating system
based on 8 major categories ie. 1) Sustainable Site Planning 2) Health & Well-being 3)
Building Planning & Construction 4) Energy End Use 5) Energy Renewable 6) Recycle,
Recharge & Reuse of water 7) Waste management 8) Indoor air quality
Although different rating systems have been recognized in India but GRIHA is India’s
National Rating System developed by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) and
endorsed by MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) for green buildings. It is based
on the principles of nationally accepted environmental and energy norms. The aim of the
rating system is to strike a balance between established practices and emerging concepts to
minimize a building’s overall ecological/ environmental impact. The present Chapter focuses
only on GRIHA rating system. The contents wherever required has been taken from the
official website of GRIHA for education purpose only.
2. GRIHA - Projects Eligible for Rating
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Except for industrial complexes, all buildings - offices, retail malls, institutions, hotels,
hospitals, health care facilities, residences and high rise buildings, the others are eligible for
the pre-design/design stage for pre - certification under GRIHA. The registration- cum rating
fee for both the processes must be submitted upfront by the project proponent to complete the
registration process. This has been divided into 2 categories based on the built-up area as
follow.
i. For built up area greater than 20,000 sq. meters
Projects applying for Environmental Clearance from MoEFCC are eligible to apply
for precertification. However, it is mandatory to register the project under GRIHA
rating after precertification has been awarded.
ii. For built up area less than 20,000 sq. meters
Projects can register for GRIHA pre-certification and GRIHA rating at the same time.
2.1 Registration Process
Since, there are many important issues that need to be addressed at this stage, hence
registration should be done at the onset of the project cycle.
i. Registration: The registration is done online on the official website. After submitting
the online Expression of Interest, the project team submits a proposed development
plan for the registered project with recent photographs of the site. The application is
forwarded to the Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitat
(ADaRSH) to review the feasibility of the project for GRIHA pre-certification. On
approval of the project by ADaRSH, the proponent can proceed with the payment of
registration cum rating fee and precertification process.
ii. Certification fee: GRIHA pre-certification fee is calculated on the basis of built-up
area (excluding basement area for parking). The registration fee is calculated based on
the following formula.
Built-up area Registration fee (excluding tax)
<5000 m2 Rs.3,14,000 [Rupees three lakh and fourteen thousand only]
>5000 m2 (Rs.3,14,000) + (Rs.3.75 per m2 above 5000) Rupees three lakh
and fourteen thousand, plus Rupees three and seventy five paise
per square meter over 5000 (*Excluding basements)
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2.2 Project Evaluation Process
The Project evaluation under GRIHA is done mainly at two stages
1. Pre documentation stage – Soon after project is registered an orientation workshop is
conducted where the experts from ADaRSH determines the points to be achieved in the
project with the proponent.
A team from ADaRSH along with the client’s Integrated Design Team meet and determine
the points being targeted by the project, as soon as the building project is registered,
during the orientation workshop.
2. Post documentation stage – The points agreed upon during the Orientation workshop
along with necessary are submitted for evaluation by team of regional ADaRSH experts.
During the construction phase, members of the ADaRSH team visits the project site thrice,
to check on-site compliance of relevant GRIHA criteria. Once the project is commissioned
on site, the building is rated as per the procedure given below.
All the necessary proof through documents for the points targeted under various criteria is
submitted and then evaluated by third party regional evaluators, to determine final rating
that shall be awarded to the project. During the construction phase of the project, members
of the ADaRSH team carry out three due diligence visits, to check on-site compliance of
relevant GRIHA criteria. Once the necessary documentation is uploaded, and systems
commissioned on site, the building is evaluated and rated in a three-tier process.
In the first stage a team from ADaRSH experts review the mandatory points for compliance
followed by the evaluation of optional criteria as per the process outlined by GRIHA and
estimate the total No. of achievable points. The project can be rejected at this stage itself.
Thereafter the project goes to evaluation committee comprising of eminent external experts.
The members independently review and award points. The evaluation committee comprises
experts in the area of public health, landscape design, lighting and HVAC design, energy
management, water and waste management etc. After evaluation of documents, a provisional
GRIHA rating is awarded and forwarded to National Advisory committee for approval and
award of final rating
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After one year of occupancy of the building, a performance audit is conducted to award the
final GRIHA Rating. The building is rated 1-5 star depending up on the scored points. The
rating is valid for 5 years from the commissioning of the building.
The point scored and rating is given below.
The preliminary evaluation is done by a team of experts from ADaRSH. The team reviews
the mandatory points and checks for compliance. The project is rejected if mandatory criteria
are not complied with. The team then evaluates the optional criteria and estimates the total
number of achievable points. All compliance documents are vetted through the appraisal
process as outlined by GRIHA.
The evaluation report is given to members of an evaluation committee, comprising renowned
external experts in building and landscape design, lighting and HVAC design, renewable
energy, water and waste management, and building materials. The members independently
review and award points
It is believed that the‘sustainability is always local’ and thus also believe that the people of a
specific region of our country know their local requirements best. This puts them in the best
position to evaluate buildings built in their region. We have thus developed a pool of
evaluators, who are experts in the fields of:
1. Public Health
2. Landscape design
3. Solar Passive design and architecture
4. Building Energy systems
5. Renewable energy
6. Plumbing engineering
thiThe relevant categories of criteria are entrusted to these people as external evaluators, who
then evaluate the project and provide their inputs as to how the project fares and how it could
be made better in terms of its commitments to sustainable design (if required).
A provisional GRIHA rating is awarded after evaluation of documents submitted for rating
the final score is presented to the National Advisory Committee comprising eminent
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personalities and renowned professionals in the field, for approval and award of the final
rating.
The final GRIHA rating is awarded after receipt and evaluation of the post occupancy
performance audit reports. The audit is conducted after 1 year of building occupancy.The
building is rated 1-5 star depending upon the points scored as per the compliance of different
criteria points. The points scored and the rating is indicated below. The rating awarded is
valid for a period of five years from the commissioning of the building.
1. 50-60 points is certified as a 1 star GRIHA rated building,
2. 61-70 is a 2 star GRIHA rated building,
3. 71-80 is a 3 star GRIHA rating building,
4. 81-90 is a 4 star GRIHA rated building and
5. 91-100 is a 5 star GRIHA rated building
3. Criteria of the Rating System
So as to manage, control and reduce /optimize the same to the best possible extent GRIHA
assesses a building out of 34 criteria and awards points on a scale of 100. In order to qualify
for GRIHA certification, a project must achieve at least 50 points. The criteria points used for
building rating are categorized/ described below:
3.1. Site Selection and Site Planning
Objective: To maximize the conservation and utilization of resources (land, water, natural
habitat, fauna, and energy conservation) and to enhance the efficiency of the systems and
operations.
Criterion 1: Site Selection
Site selection is the first step to a sustainable habitat and needs to be done appropriately, prior
to commencement of design phase. Site selection and analysis should be carried out to create
living spaces that are in harmony with the local environment. The development of a project
should not cause damage to the natural surroundings of the site but, in fact, should try to
improve it by restoring its balance. Thus, site selection should be carried out in light of a
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holistic perspective of land use, development intensity, social well-being, and preservation of
the environment.
Criterion 2: Preserve and protect the landscape during construction
To preserve the existing landscape and protect it from degradation during the process of
construction. It involves proper timing of construction, preserve top soil and existing
vegetation, staging and spill prevention to prevent spilling contaminated material onsite,
erosion and sedimentation control, replant the trees that were cut down during construction in
the ratio 1:3.
Criterion 3: Soil conservation (till post-construction).
Conserve topsoil till after completion of construction activity. This commitment entails
proper top soil laying and stabilization of the soil to prevent erosion and maintenance of
adequate fertility of the soil to support vegetative growth.
Criterion 4: Design to include existing site features.
The natural functions of a plot of land (hydrologic, geologic, and microclimatic) can be
disrupted by the placement of a building on it. The design of a green building will factor in
ways in which the natural site features can be protected or even restored. Layout the site
activities and building requirements after carrying out detailed site analysis so as to ensure
sustainable site development in tune with its topographical, climatic, and ecological
character.
Criterion 5: Reduce hard paving on-site and /or provide shaded hard - paved surfaces.
Reduce hard paving on-site (open areas surrounding building premises) to minimize the
imperviousness of the site and/or provide shade on hard-paved surfaces to minimize the heat
island effect on site.
Criterion 6: Enhance outdoor lighting system efficiency.
Enhance energy efficiency of outdoor lighting and promote usage of renewable forms of
energy to reduce the use of conventional/fossil-fuel-based energy resources. Meet minimum
allowable luminous efficacy (as per lamp type) and make progressive use of a renewable
energy- based lighting system.
Criterion 7: Plan utilities efficiently and optimize on-site circulation efficiency
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Reduce site disruption due to laying, maintain utility lines, and minimize energy use by on-
site utilities. To reduce transportation corridors on-site, thus reducing the pollution loads.
Minimize road and pedestrian walkway length by appropriate planning and provide aggregate
corridors for utility lines.
Criterion 8: Provide the minimum level of sanitation/safety facilities for construction
workers.
Ensure the health and safety of workers during construction, with effective provisions for the
basic facilities such as sanitation and drinking water, and safety of equipment or machinery.
Ensure cleanliness of workplace with regard to the disposal of waste and effluent, provide
clean drinking water and latrines and urinals as per applicable standard.
Criterion 9: Reduce air pollution during construction.
The dust generated by various construction site activities can contribute significantly to air
pollution. Dust and outdoor air pollutants can cause respiratory problems. Good construction
practices involve major mitigation measures for prevention or minimization of air pollution
from construction activities. This criterion aims to reduce air pollution due to on–site
construction. Ensure proper screening, covering stockpiles, covering bricks and loads of
dusty materials, wheel-washing facility, and water spraying.
3.2. Building Planning and Construction Stage
Objective: To maximize resource (water, energy, and materials) conservation and enhance
efficiency of the system and operations.
Criterion 10: Reduce landscape water requirement.
Reduce the landscape water requirement so as to minimize the load on the municipal water
supply and depletion of groundwater resources. Landscape using native species and reduce
lawn areas while enhancing the irrigation efficiency, reduction in water requirement for
landscaping purposes.
Criterion 11: Reduce building water use.
Reduce water consumption in the building by using efficient fixtures like low-flow fixtures,
etc.
Criterion 12: Efficient water use during construction.
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Minimize the use of potable water during construction. For example, use materials such as
pre-mixed concrete for preventing loss during mixing or use recycled treated water and
control the waste of curing water.
Criterion 13: Optimize building design to reduce the conventional energy demand.
Apply solar passive measures, including day lighting, in order to reduce the demand on
conventional energy for space conditioning and lighting systems in buildings. Plan
appropriately to reflect climate responsiveness, adopt an adequate comfort range, less air-
conditioned areas, day lighting, avoid over-design of the lighting and air-conditioning
systems.
Criterion 14: Optimize the energy performance of the building within specified comfort
limits.
Optimize use of energy systems in buildings that maintain a specified indoor climate
conducive to the functional requirements of the building. Ensure that energy consumption in
building under a specified category is 10%–40% less than that benchmarked figure through a
simulation exercise of a base case example.
Criterion 15: Utilization of fly ash in the building structure.
Use low-embodied energy industrial-waste fly ash as the construction material. Fly ash, an
industrial waste with properties of cement and very low-embodied energy, is used in
combination with cement that are high in embodied energy. Use fly ash for RCC (reinforced
cement concrete) structures with in-fill walls and load bearing structures, mortar, and binders.
Criterion 16: Reduce volume, weight, and time of construction by adopting an efficient
technology (e.g. pre-cast systems, ready-mix concrete, etc.).
Replace a part of the energy-intensive materials with less energy-intensive materials and/or
utilize regionally available materials, which use low-energy/energy-efficient technologies.
Criterion 17: Use low-energy material in the interiors.
A minimum of 70% of the total quantity of all interior finishes and products used in each of
the categories mentioned below should be low-energy finishes/ materials/ products, which
minimize wood as a natural resource or utilize industrial waste by using products in any
category as listed. The various interior finishes used in the sub-system of the building or the
interior, which serve the aim of the credit, have been divided into the following three major
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categories. If any interior finish, acclaimed for credit, falls beyond this classification, the
applicant has to clearly confirm the criteria that meet the requirements of the credit.
1. Sub-assembly/internal partitions/interior wood finishes/ paneling/false ceiling/in-built
furniture/ cabinetry
2. Flooring
3. Doors/windows and frames
Criterion 18: Renewable energy utilization.
Meet energy requirements for a minimum of 10% of the internal lighting load (for general
lighting) or its equivalent from renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass, fuel cells,
etc.). Energy requirements will be calculated based on realistic assumptions which will be
subject to verification during appraisal. Use renewable energy sources in buildings to reduce
the use of conventional/fossil-fuel based energy resources.
Criterion 19: Renewable energy - based hot- water system.
Ensure that a minimum 50% of the annual energy requirement for heating water (for
applications such as hot water for all needs, like for canteen, washing, and bath rooms/toilets,
except for space heating) is supplied from renewable energy sources.
3.3. Recycle, recharge, and reuse of water
Objective: To promote the recycle and reuse of water.
Criterion 20: Wastewater treatment
Provide facility for the treatment of waste water generated in the building so as to have safe
disposal and use of by-products.
Criterion 21: Water recycle and reuse (including rainwater).
Utilize the waste water treated on-site and rainwater for various applications (including
groundwater recharge) where potable municipal water is normally used to reduce the load on
both the municipal supplies as well as the sewerage system and to improve the groundwater
level.
3.4. Waste management
Objective: To minimize waste generation, streamline waste segregation, storage, and
disposal, and promote resource recovery from waste.
Criterion 22: Reduction in waste during construction.
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Ensure maximum resource recovery and safe disposal of wastes generated during
construction and reduce the burden on landfill.
Criterion 23: Efficient waste segregation.
Use different colored bins for collecting different categories of waste from the building to
promote the segregation of waste for efficient resource recovery.
Criterion 24: Storage and disposal of waste.
Allocate separate space for the collected waste before transferring it to the recycling/disposal
stations to prevent the mixing up of segregated waste before processing or disposal.
Criterion 25: Resource recovery from waste.
Employ resource recovery systems for biodegradable waste as per the Solid Waste
Management and handling Rules, 2000 of the MoEF. Make arrangements for recycling of
waste through local dealers to maximize the recovery of resources from the recyclable and
biodegradable waste and to reduce the burden on landfills.
3.5. Health and well-being during post-construction occupation
Objective: To ensure healthy indoor air quality, water quality, and noise levels, and reduce
the global warming potential.
Criterion 26: Use of low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints/ adhesives / sealants.
Building materials such as paints, sealants, and adhesives form important finishes for the
exterior and interior surfaces. They are, however, potential contributors to the poor indoor air
quality and can have a bearing on an occupants’ health. A wide variety of volatiles are
released through oxidation by both solvent-based and water-based paints, and sealants and
adhesives contain toxic chemicals that are released during construction and occupancy.
VOCs - especially formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, and urethanes - and other chemical
substances contained within the building materials can be injurious to health and can also be
odorous. This measure aims to select materials with low to zero quantities of such chemicals
so as to minimize the source of emission. In selecting low VOC materials, a practical thumb
rule is to choose water-based products with low odor.
Criterion 27: Minimize ozone – depleting substances
Employ insulation that is ODP (ozone depletion potential) free; HCFC (hydro
chlorofluorocarbon) and CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) free HVAC and refrigeration equipment,
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fire extinguishing systems to Eliminate or control the release of ozone-depleting substances
into the atmosphere.
Criterion 28: Ensure water quality.
Ensure groundwater and municipal water meet the water quality norms as prescribed in the
Indian Standards for various applications (Indian Standards for drinking [IS 10500-1991],
irrigation applications [IS 11624-1986]. In case the water quality cannot be ensured, provide
necessary treatment of raw water for achieving the desired concentration for various
applications.
Criterion 29: Acceptable outdoor and indoor noise levels.
Ensure outdoor noise level conforms to the Central Pollution Control Board–Environmental
Standards–Noise (ambient standards) and indoor noise level conforms to the National
Building Code of India, 2005, Bureau of Indian Standards 2005a, Part 8–Building Services;
Section 4–Acoustics, sound insulation, and noise control.
Criterion 30: Tobacco and smoke control.
Zero exposure to tobacco smoke for non-smokers and exclusive ventilation for smoking
rooms.
Criterion 31: Provide the minimum level of accessibility for persons with disabilities.
To ensure accessibility and usability of the building and its facilities by employees, visitors,
and clients with disabilities.
3.6. Building Operation and Maintenance
Objective: Validate and maintain ‘green’ performance levels/adopt and propagate green
practices and concepts.
Criterion 32: Energy audit and validation.
Energy audit report to be prepared by approved auditors of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency,
Government of India.
Criterion 33: Building operation and maintenance.
Validate and maintain green performance. Adopt and propagate green practices and concepts.
Ensure the inclusion of a specific clause in the contract document for the commissioning of
all electrical and mechanical systems to be maintained by the owner, supplier, or operator.
Provide a core facility/service management group, if applicable, which will be responsible for
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the operation and maintenance of the building and the electrical and mechanical systems after
the commissioning. Owner/builder/occupants/service or facility management group to
prepare a fully documented operations and maintenance manual, CD, multimedia or an
information brochure listing the best practices/do’s and don’ts/maintenance requirements for
the building and the electrical and mechanical systems along with the names and addresses of
the manufacturers/suppliers of the respective system.
3.7. Innovation
Criterion 34: Innovation points.
Four innovation points are available under the rating system for adopting criteria which
enhance the green intent of a project, and the applicant can apply for the bonus points. Some
of the probable points, not restricted to the ones enumerated below, could be
Alternative transportation
1. Environmental education
2. Company policy on green supply chain
3. Lifecycle cost analysis
4. Enhanced accessibility for physically/mentally challenged.
5. Any other criteria proposed by the client
4. Rating of Very Small Buildings
SVAGRIHA (Small Versatile Affordable GRIHA) was jointly developed by Association for
Development and Research of Sustainable Habitat (ADaRSH) and TERI. It is specifically
developed for small projects having built up area less than 2500 m2 such as individual
residences, offices, commercial complexes etc. It is much faster and simplified tool for rating
of small building. The rating comprises only 14 criteria’s analyzed using software tool using
the information from the engineering drawing. The compilation of the achievable points for
the project can be done by consultant as well as the overall points
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SVAGRIHA is a significantly simplified, faster, easier and more affordable green building
rating system and functions as a design cum-rating tool. SVAGRIHA has been designed as a
variant of GRIHA specifically developed for projects with built-up area less than 2500 m2.
SVAGRIHA can help in design and rating of individual residences, small offices, commercial
and institutional buildings. The rating comprises only 14 criteria analyzed using software
tool, comprising simplified calculators. These calculators can be filled using information
from construction drawings like areas and quantities of materials. This can be done easily by
the architect/consultant of the project. Once completed, the tool will inform the
architect/consultant the number of points that they are able to achieve in that particular
criterion as well as the overall points.
Process:
Registration of project with ADaRSH
Submission of completed software tool and documentation to ADaRSH
Internal review of documentation
Site visit and post construction due diligence check (mandatory)
External evaluation of project
Award of Rating
Project Evaluation
SVAGRIHA evaluates projects on the following 14 criteria:
Criterion
number
Criterion name Points
1 Reduce Urban Heat Island Effects and maintain native vegetation
cover on site
6
2 Passive architectural design and systems 4
3 Good fenestration design for reducing direct heat gain and glare while
maximizing daylight penetration
6
4 Efficient artificial lighting system 2
5 Thermal efficiency of building envelope 2
6 Use of energy efficient appliances 3
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7 Use of renewable energy on site 4
8 Reduction in building and landscape water demand 5
9 Rainwater harvesting 4
10 Generate resource from waste 2
11 Reduce embodied energy of building 4
12 Use of low-energy materials in interiors 4
13 Adoption of green Lifestyle 4
14 Innovation 2
Total 50
In order to achieve a SVAGRIHA rating each project must achieve a certain number of points
in each category as mentioned below. This is to ensure that each project reduces its overall
environmental impact and not just the impact through energy and water. Based on the number
of points the project attempts, the rating shall be provided as mentioned in the table below:
Category Maximum points Threshold points
Landscape 6 3
Energy 21 11
Water & waste 11 6
Materials 8 4
Others 4 1
Project Scoring
Points Rating
25-30 *
31-35 **
36-40 ***
41-45 ****
46-50 *****
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5. Main Benefits of Rating of a Green Building
Some of the benefits of a green design to a building owner, user, and the society as a whole
are as follows:
Reduced energy consumption without sacrificing the comfort levels (lower
operational costs)
Reduced water consumption
Reduced system sizes (HVAC, transformers, cabling, etc.) for optimal performance at
local conditions.
Reduced investment (lifecycle cost)
Reduced destruction of natural areas, habitats, biodiversity, reduced soil loss from
erosion etc.
Reduced air and water pollution (with direct health benefits)
Limited waste generation due to recycling and reuse
Reduced pollution loads
Increased user productivity
Enhanced image and marketability
Conclusion
Our country is witnessing a boom in the construction and real estate sector which contribute
around 10% of India's GDP and is growing at about 9%, as against the world average of
5.5%. Housing sector has emerged as the largest source of Green House Gases (GHG)
emissions contributing 40% of total GHG emissions.
Keeping in view the local conditions, a rating system GRIHA has been developed by MNRE
which suits to all types of building. Building rating system is quite effective in creating
awareness in populating green building design. Energy efficient or green buildings can
reduce energy demand by around 40% and judicious use of other natural resources is
achieved.
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The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy provides incentives to green building such as re-
imbursement of registration fee, cash awards to architect/consultants and support for
installation of SPV.