USGBC ties up with TERI in India

Mumbai Bureau After a 13-year long association with Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), US Green Building Council (USGBC) now plans for further growth in India. In this direction, it has tied up with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). That said, some questions remain unanswered - what is the nature of its association with TERI and where are its ties with IGBC headed towards? India presently has nearly 12 million sq m of LEED certified space. There are more than 66 million sq m of building space undergoing the LEED process in India, comprising 1,657 building projects. Mahesh Ramanujam, COO, USGBC, clarifies, "India is the third country to occupy most LEED certified spaces. We surely want to encourage and grow the green movement here, and our association with TERI is the first move towards these constructive efforts." Association to co-brand While the association includes providing a co-branding of the both LEED and GRIHA certification, Ramanujam says,¨USGBC and TERI will work in alignment to provide both LEED and GRIHA ratings to buildings. However, at present, consumers have to take two different certificates for both while in the next two to three years, we might think of merging it.” That said, he is certain that the council does not want to create new ratings for existing buildings, which is the most difficult market to tap at present. "Since, such buildings already exist, it is difficult to install green features,” he adds. On her part, Dr Anjali Parasnis, Associate Director, Western Regional Centre (WRC), says, “There have been continuous efforts towards designing and constructing green buildings in India. TERI and USGBC share common goals in promoting green buildings and we would continue to do so.” The prime objective of the tie-up is to educate the market, promote and support it. Hence, a programme called Regional LEED-EB (existing buildings) will be introduced in India to focus on regional factors while considering the green features of the buildings. The tie-up will also focus on developing the LEED Dynamic Plaque (LDP). Through this, a performance score will be given to the green building based on energy, water, human experience and transportation. Green initiatives continue... In addition to its new ties with TERI, USGBC has also set up a new LEED hub in New Delhi with a simple motto: Providing a centre of gravity to the South East Asian market, which includes Asia Pacific and the Middle East, and serving as a collaboration centre connecting with the demand-supply market of India with the rest of the world. Advocacy or policy management, which will continue to influence the legislation and governmental bodies. Working closely with product manufacturers to inspire them to create better and sustainable green projects. Provide consultations to projects from a certification point of view. Develop market intelligence. Moreover, the council, at the LEED Green Building Program held last week, also announced the fourth version of LEED rating system - 'LEED v4'. The earlier LEED v3 credit categories included sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design, and regional priority. Elaborating on LEED v4, Ramanujam informs, "This will be supported by new categories including location and linkage (transportation) and awareness and education." In conclusion Going forward, change will be constant. The existing IGBC partnership with USGBC will be functional till the year 2018 considering the timeframe required for the ongoing projects registered under it to be completed. However, buildings registered post July 1, 2014, will now be certified under the the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). With USGBC now on transitioning all LEED projects to GBCI, there seems to be a new way forward for India’s green building movement.