Green Building Certification: Navigating the World of Griha Certification
Green building certification has become an important consideration for construction and real estate companies in recent years. With rising awareness about environmental sustainability, builders are looking for ways to reduce the ecological footprint of their projects. Griha certification has emerged as one of the most popular green building rating systems in India. Here is an overview of what Griha certification involves and how builders can navigate the process.
What is Griha Certification?
Griha which stands for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment is India’s own rating system for green buildings. Griha was developed jointly by The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The Griha certification system rates buildings on metrics like energy efficiency, water management, waste management, site selection, usage of eco-friendly materials etc.
Buildings are given ratings from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars being the highest level of green building compliance. The Griha certification has criteria for new constructions as well as existing buildings. It also has ratings for factories, campuses and townships. Griha aims to help real estate companies and builders construct environmentally responsible buildings without compromising on functionality or aesthetics.
Benefits of Griha Certified Green Buildings
There are several benefits to getting Griha certification –
Reduced operating costs – Green buildings are designed to be energy and water efficient, which leads to substantial savings in monthly utility bills. Studies show Griha rated buildings can reduce operating costs by 20-30%.
Healthier indoor environment – Usage of low-VOC paints and adhesives, ample day lighting and ventilation leads to enhanced air quality inside which benefits occupant health and productivity.
Social equity – Green buildings provide facilities for elderly/disabled access and safety for female occupants which promotes social equity.
Faster approvals – Many development authorities incentivize or mandate Griha certification by providing faster plan approvals and reduced permit fees for certified projects.
Griha Certification Process
The process for getting Griha certification involves several key stages:
1. Registration
The first step is to register the project on the official Griha website by filling in all the required details about the location, construction stage, scope of certification etc. Required documents and fees have to be submitted at this stage.
2. Documentation and Finalization of Strategies
The project team has to then work on compiling all the necessary documentation as per Griha criteria regarding site parameters, layouts, materials used, technical specifications, equipment schedules etc. Suitable green strategies have to be finalized at this stage in consultation with consultants.
3. On-site Assessment
Once building construction reaches the midway stage, an on-site pre-assessment is conducted by Griha auditors to evaluate progress and provide recommendations for improvements if needed.
4. Final Evaluation
After construction is complete, a final detailed site evaluation is done by the Griha team. Points are allocated for each green feature based on actuals. The total points garnered determine the Griha rating for the building. A 5-star is the highest rating possible.
5. Certification
If the building meets the criteria successfully, a Griha certificate and plaque is awarded. The certification is usually valid for 5 years after which the process has to be repeated to renew the rating.
Going for Griha certification undoubtedly requires additional time, effort and cost compared to conventional buildings. However, the benefits far outweigh the investments. With Griha certification, builders can gain a competitive edge and also contribute towards environmental sustainability. By following the certification process diligently from the design stage itself, builders can ensure their project achieves a high Griha rating.
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