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What is "green building"?

Green building is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally
responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from siting to design,
construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.
Green building - also known as sustainable or high performance building - is the practice of:
1. Increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use and harvest energy,
water, and materials; and
2. Protecting and restoring human health and the environment, throughout the building lifecycle: siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and
deconstruction.
Components of Green Building
1. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The aim of green buildings is to end wasteful use of energy so specific electricity services
can only be provided and choosing energy-efficient appliances is of great importance in a
green building. Adopting some simple daily habits along with a judicious choice of
equipment also enables us to control consumption of all other forms of energy (gas,
heating fuel, etc.). Use of renewable sources of energy is encouraged in green buildings
i.e. sunlight, water heating systems, photovoltaic cells, geothermal power etc.
2. Water Efficiency
Wasting water through negligence is to be avoided in green buildings. Using specialized
taps can be helpful in reducing the wastage of water. Rain water can be used as
alternative source of water in many activities other than the potable use. Rain water
harvesting also increases the groundwater level of that area.
3. Environmentally Preferable Building Materials and Specifications
Some of the industrial materials, such as coal combustion products, foundry sand, and
construction and demolition debris, can be recycled to meet the material needs of our
construction industry. This can reduce the cost and sometimes can improve the quality of
the product.
4. Waste Reduction & Toxics Reduction
Use of composting bins can reduce the volume of waste sent to the landfill. Re-using the
products can also be helpful in waste reduction. For waste water management water
treatment plant is necessary, which can reduce the toxics and make the water suitable for
many activities.

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5. Indoor Air Quality

Installing direct-vent, sealed combustion gas fireplace, carpet pad, kitchen exhaust vents
etc. can help in keeping a good indoor air quality. Using low VOC paints and sealants
also help to improve air quality.
Certification
In India, at present, there are predominantly two rating systems to certify buildings as green
buildings, namely GRIHA and LEED-INDIA. The buildings are required to fulfill the defined
criteria and achieve a certain number of points to be certified.
1. GRIHA
GRIHA, an acronym for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, is the National
Rating System of India. It has been conceived by TERI and developed jointly with the
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India. It is a green building
'design evaluation system', and is suitable for all kinds of buildings in different climatic
zones of the country. Going by the old adage what gets measured, gets managed,
GRIHA attempts to quantify aspects such as energy consumption, waste generation,
renewable energy adoption, etc. so as to manage, control and reduce the same to the best
possible extent.
2. LEED-INDIA
LEED-INDIA is the Indian counterpart of United States Green Building Councils LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). It is led by the Indian Green Building
Council (IGBC) in India. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDINDIA) Green Building Rating System is a nationally and internationally accepted
benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green
buildings..
Specific LEED-INDIA programs include:

Bibliography
http://www.legrand.com/EN/green-building-the-components_12940.html
http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/
http://www.grihaindia.org/
http://www.igbc.in/site/igbc/tests.jsp?event=22869

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Examples

1. CII-Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad Platinum rating

2. ITC Centre, Gurgaon Platinum rating