LESSON 3.6 — Sustainability and Green Building
A. Standard Map
| Topic | Governing Source | Exam Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable development — Brundtland | WCED, Our Common Future (Brundtland Report), 1987 | Year; definition; WCED chair |
| Triple bottom line | Elkington, J. (1994/1997) | Three dimensions: economic, social, environmental |
| SDGs — 17 goals | UN, 2015; target 2030 | Count; SDG 11; MDGs → SDGs transition |
| Green building — definition | IGBC; GRIHA; standard practice | Energy, water, material, site performance |
| GRIHA rating | TERI / Ministry of New and Renewable Energy; GRIHA v2019 | 100 points; 31 criteria; five-star; India-specific |
| LEED certification | USGBC; IGBC India version | 110 points; 4 tiers; Energy category = 33 pts |
| BREEAM | BRE, UK; 1990 | World’s first green building rating; Pass to Outstanding |
| CASBEE | Japan, 2001 | BEE score = quality / load |
| ECBC 2017 | Bureau of Energy Efficiency; Energy Conservation Act 2001 | Commercial buildings ≥ 100 kW; prescriptive vs WBP |
| Energy Conservation Act | Ministry of Power, 2001 | Legal basis for ECBC; BEE established |
B. Mechanism in Words
- Conventional buildings consume large quantities of energy, water, and materials while generating waste and pollution throughout their lifecycle.
- A green building reduces these impacts across all three resource streams (energy, water, materials) while maintaining or improving occupant health and comfort.
- Rating systems such as GRIHA and LEED provide a standardised, third-party-verified framework for measuring and certifying green building performance.
- ECBC establishes the minimum energy performance standards that all new commercial buildings must meet — effectively making a baseline level of green performance mandatory.
- Sustainability in a broader sense requires development that meets present needs without compromising future generations — a principle that guides urban planning, infrastructure investment, and building design simultaneously.
C. Core Concept Explanations
C1. Sustainable Development — Brundtland and SDGs
The Brundtland Definition:
The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), chaired by Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, published Our Common Future in 1987. It defined sustainable development as:
“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.“
Two embedded principles:
1. The priority of essential needs — especially of the world’s poor
2. The concept of ecological limits imposed by technology and social organisation
Triple Bottom Line (TBL):
Coined by John Elkington (1994, popularised 1997 in Cannibals with Forks):
| Dimension | Focus | Key concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental (Planet) | Protection of natural systems | Ecosystem health, biodiversity, pollution, resource efficiency, climate |
| Social (People) | Human wellbeing and equity | Housing, health, education, accessibility, cultural preservation |
| Economic (Profit/Prosperity) | Viable livelihoods | Employment, affordability, resource productivity, long-term viability |
From MDGs to SDGs:
| Framework | Year | Goals | Target year | Orientation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) | 2000 | 8 goals | 2015 | Primarily developing countries |
| SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) | September 2015 | 17 goals | 2030 | All nations universally |
Exam Anchor: MDGs = 8 goals (2000–2015). SDGs = 17 goals (adopted September 2015; target 2030). SDG 11 = Sustainable Cities and Communities — most directly relevant to architecture and planning. SDG 13 = Climate Action; SDG 15 = Life on Land.
C2. What Makes a Building Green
Green building performance spans five resource domains:
| Domain | Target metrics | Common strategies |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 30–50% reduction vs conventional baseline | Passive design; efficient HVAC/lighting; solar PV; energy metering |
| Water | 30–60% reduction | Low-flow fixtures; rainwater harvesting; greywater recycling; native planting |
| Materials | Embodied energy and carbon reduction | Local sourcing; recycled content; certified timber; low-VOC materials |
| Site | Ecological impact minimisation | Compact footprint; preserve existing vegetation; permeable paving; UHI mitigation |
| Indoor environment quality | Occupant health and comfort | Daylighting ≥ 2% Daylight Factor; thermal comfort within PMV ±0.5; low indoor air pollutants |
Indian studies (IGBC; TERI) indicate certified green buildings achieve 30–50% energy savings and 30–60% water savings compared to conventional equivalents.
C3. GRIHA — India’s National Rating System
GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) was developed by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It is India’s national green building rating system, specifically calibrated to Indian climatic zones, material availability, and construction practices.
GRIHA key numbers:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Developed by | TERI (adopted as national rating by MNRE) |
| Points | 100 points |
| Criteria | 31 criteria |
| Rating | Five-star (1★ to 5★) |
| Current version | GRIHA v2019 |
GRIHA star thresholds:
| Points | Rating |
|---|---|
| 25–40 | ★ (1 Star) |
| 41–55 | ★★ (2 Star) |
| 56–70 | ★★★ (3 Star) |
| 71–85 | ★★★★ (4 Star) |
| 86–100 | ★★★★★ (5 Star) |
GRIHA criteria sections (with approximate point allocation):
| Section | Points |
|---|---|
| Site planning | 8 |
| Construction management | 9 |
| Energy | 20 ← largest section |
| Occupant comfort and wellbeing | 10 |
| Water | 15 |
| Sustainable building materials | 14 |
| Solid waste management | 7 |
| Socio-economic strategies | 5 |
| Performance monitoring and verification | 8 |
| Innovation | 4 |
Source: GRIHA v2019, TERI/MNRE.
Exam Anchor: GRIHA = 100 points, 31 criteria, five-star rating. Energy section is the largest at 20 points. GRIHA is India’s national system, developed by TERI.
C4. LEED — Global Standard and India Adaptation
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1998. In India, LEED is administered and adapted by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
LEED for New Construction — point structure:
| Category | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Location and Transportation | 16 |
| Sustainable Sites | 10 |
| Water Efficiency | 11 |
| Energy and Atmosphere | 33 ← largest category |
| Materials and Resources | 13 |
| Indoor Environmental Quality | 16 |
| Innovation | 6 |
| Regional Priority | 4 |
| Total | 110 |
LEED certification tiers:
| Tier | Points |
|---|---|
| Certified | 40–49 |
| Silver | 50–59 |
| Gold | 60–79 |
| Platinum | 80–110 |
Source: IGBC Green New Buildings Rating System (Version 3.0); USGBC LEED v4.
Exam Anchor: LEED = 110 points; Platinum ≥ 80 points. Energy and Atmosphere = 33 points (30% of total). LEED was established in 1998 by USGBC; India uses IGBC-adapted version.
C5. Other Major Rating Systems
| System | Country | Year | Distinctive feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| BREEAM | UK | 1990 | World’s first green building rating system; Pass → Good → Very Good → Excellent → Outstanding |
| CASBEE | Japan | 2001 | BEE score = Environmental Quality / Environmental Load; quality-to-load ratio distinguishes it from point-based systems |
| Green Mark | Singapore | 2005 | Calibrated for tropical climates; mandatory for new public buildings |
| Green Star | Australia | 2003 | Lifecycle assessment emphasis; used alongside NABERS for operational ratings |
| NABERS | Australia | 1999 | Rates actual operational performance using measured data — not design intent |
Exam Anchor: BREEAM = 1990 = world’s first green building rating system. LEED = 1998 = US origin, globally adopted. GRIHA = 2005 = India’s national system. CASBEE distinguishes itself by measuring quality-to-load ratio (BEE = Built Environment Efficiency).
C6. ECBC 2017 — Energy Conservation Building Code
Legal basis: Energy Conservation Act, 2001 (Ministry of Power, Government of India). This Act established the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
Applicability: Commercial buildings with:
– Connected electrical load ≥ 100 kW, OR
– Contract demand ≥ 120 kVA
What ECBC regulates:
| Element | Regulation |
|---|---|
| Building envelope | Maximum U-values for walls and roofs; maximum SHGC for fenestration; maximum WWR 40% |
| Lighting | Maximum Lighting Power Density (LPD) by space type (W/m²) |
| HVAC | Minimum equipment COP/EER; duct insulation; controls |
| Renewable energy | Minimum solar water heating provision |
Two compliance pathways:
| Path | Method | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Prescriptive | Each component independently meets specified maximums (U-value, SHGC, LPD) | Simple; no simulation required; but less design flexibility |
| Whole Building Performance (WBP) | Simulate proposed building; compare annual energy use against a reference building meeting prescriptive requirements; proposed ≤ reference | Allows trade-offs between components; requires energy simulation |
ECBC 2017 climate zones (same 5-zone NBC system):
Composite, Hot-dry, Warm-humid, Temperate, Cold.
Source: ECBC 2017, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India.
Exam Anchor: ECBC = commercial buildings ≥ 100 kW connected load. Legal basis = Energy Conservation Act 2001. Administered by BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency). Two paths: Prescriptive vs Whole Building Performance (WBP).
C7. Embodied Energy and Lifecycle Thinking
Embodied energy: The total energy consumed in extracting, processing, manufacturing, and transporting a building material or component, before it is used in construction.
| Material | Approximate embodied energy (MJ/kg) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | 155–215 | Very high; energy-intensive smelting |
| Steel | 20–35 | High; recycled content reduces by ~60% |
| Glass | 12–15 | Moderate |
| Fired clay brick | 3–4 | Low-moderate |
| Concrete (ready-mix) | 1–2 | Low per kg; large quantities used |
| Fly ash brick | ~0.5–1.0 | Low; industrial by-product |
| Compressed earth block | ~0.1–0.4 | Very low; local material |
| Bamboo | ~0.5 | Very low; rapidly renewable |
Reducing embodied energy is achieved by: selecting low-embodied-energy materials; using recycled content; sourcing locally; designing for durability and adaptability.
Lifecycle costing considers: Initial (capital) cost + Operating cost + Maintenance cost + End-of-life (demolition/recycling) cost. Green buildings have higher initial costs (~2–5%) but lower lifecycle costs through reduced energy and water bills.
D. Design/Parameter Table
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Brundtland Report year | 1987 | WCED |
| SDGs — count | 17 | UN (adopted September 2015) |
| SDG target year | 2030 | UN |
| MDGs count | 8 | UN (2000–2015) |
| SDG 11 | Sustainable Cities and Communities | UN |
| GRIHA — developer | TERI | MNRE |
| GRIHA — total points | 100 | GRIHA v2019 |
| GRIHA — criteria | 31 | GRIHA v2019 |
| GRIHA — rating | 5-star system | GRIHA v2019 |
| GRIHA 5-star threshold | 86+ points | GRIHA v2019 |
| GRIHA energy section | 20 points (largest) | GRIHA v2019 |
| LEED established | 1998, USGBC | USGBC |
| LEED India | IGBC | IGBC |
| LEED total points | 110 | IGBC/USGBC |
| LEED Platinum threshold | ≥ 80 points | IGBC/USGBC |
| LEED Energy & Atmosphere | 33 points (30% of total) | IGBC/USGBC |
| BREEAM established | 1990 (world’s first) | BRE, UK |
| ECBC applicability | ≥ 100 kW connected load | ECBC 2017 |
| ECBC legal basis | Energy Conservation Act 2001 | Ministry of Power |
| ECBC administered by | BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) | Ministry of Power |
E. Common Confusions
| Confusion | Correct Distinction |
|---|---|
| GRIHA is the same as LEED | GRIHA is India’s national system developed by TERI — calibrated to Indian conditions. LEED is a US-developed system used globally, adapted for India by IGBC. They use different point structures and benchmarks. |
| BREEAM and LEED are the same age | BREEAM was founded in 1990 (world’s first). LEED was founded in 1998. BREEAM is older by 8 years. |
| CASBEE works like LEED (total points) | CASBEE uses a ratio of environmental quality to environmental load (BEE = Built Environment Efficiency). It does not sum points to a total — it divides quality by load. A fundamentally different scoring logic. |
| ECBC applies to all buildings | ECBC applies to commercial buildings with connected load ≥ 100 kW. Residential buildings are not currently covered by ECBC (though some states have extended it). |
| Brundtland definition is from 1992 | Brundtland Report = 1987 (Our Common Future, WCED). The Rio Earth Summit was 1992 — a separate milestone. |
| SDGs were adopted in 2000 | SDGs were adopted at the UN General Assembly in September 2015. The MDGs were adopted in 2000. |
F. Exam Traps
| Trap | Incorrect Assumption | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|
| T28 | “LEED is India’s national green building rating” | India’s national rating is GRIHA (TERI; MNRE). LEED is a US-origin system used globally and adapted for India by IGBC — it is not India’s national standard. |
| T29 | “GRIHA has 100 criteria” | GRIHA has 31 criteria worth 100 points. The 100 refers to total points, not the count of criteria. |
| T30 | “LEED Platinum = 100 points” | LEED Platinum = ≥ 80 points out of 110. 100 is the points total for GRIHA, not the LEED Platinum threshold. |
| T31 | “BREEAM was launched in 1998 alongside LEED” | BREEAM was launched in 1990 — the world’s first green building rating system. LEED launched in 1998. |
| T32 | “ECBC applies to residential buildings” | ECBC applies to commercial buildings with connected load ≥ 100 kW. Residential buildings (homes, housing) are not currently under ECBC mandate. |
| T33 | “SDGs replaced MDGs in 2015 with 8 goals” | SDGs replaced MDGs with 17 goals (not 8). MDGs = 8 goals; SDGs = 17 goals. |
G. Answer-Writing Cues
For GRIHA vs LEED:
“GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) is India’s national green building rating system, developed by TERI and adopted by MNRE. It awards up to 100 points across 31 criteria with a five-star rating, and is specifically calibrated to Indian climatic zones, material availability, and construction practices. LEED, developed by USGBC in 1998 and adapted for India by IGBC, awards up to 110 points across multiple categories with Platinum certification at 80+ points. Both systems weight energy performance most heavily — GRIHA’s energy section is its largest (20/100); LEED’s Energy and Atmosphere category carries 33/110 points.”
For Brundtland and SDGs:
“Sustainable development was defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in the Brundtland Report (1987) as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The United Nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015 with a target year of 2030, replacing the 8 Millennium Development Goals. SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities — is the most directly relevant goal for architecture and urban planning.”
H. PYQ Linkage Note
| Topic | Exam Appearance | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Brundtland Report year | GATE, UPSC-CPWD | MCQ: “Brundtland Report was published in ___” |
| SDGs count and target year | GATE, UPSC-CPWD | MCQ: “How many SDGs?”; “SDG target year is ___” |
| SDG 11 | GATE, UPSC-CPWD, ISRO | MCQ: “SDG 11 is ___” |
| GRIHA — developer and system | GATE, UPSC-CPWD | MCQ: “India’s national green rating is ___” |
| GRIHA points and criteria | UPSC-CPWD, state PSC | MCQ: “GRIHA has ___ points and ___ criteria” |
| LEED Platinum threshold | UPSC-CPWD | MCQ: “LEED Platinum requires minimum ___ points” |
| BREEAM — year and origin | UPSC-CPWD | MCQ: “World’s first green rating system is ___” |
| ECBC applicability | GATE, UPSC-CPWD | MCQ: “ECBC applies to buildings with connected load ≥ ___” |
| Prescriptive vs WBP compliance | UPSC-CPWD | MCQ: distinguish the two pathways |
I. Mini-Check — Lesson 3.6 (5 Questions)
Q1 (MCQ): India’s national green building rating system, developed specifically for Indian climatic zones and construction practices, is:
(A) LEED (B) BREEAM (C) GRIHA (D) CASBEE
A1: (C) GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment), developed by TERI and adopted as India’s national rating by MNRE. LEED (A) is US-origin (USGBC/IGBC); BREEAM (B) is UK; CASBEE (D) is Japan.
Q2 (MCQ): The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in:
(A) 2000 (B) 2012 (C) September 2015 (D) 2020
A2: (C) September 2015. The MDGs were adopted in 2000 (8 goals; target 2015). SDGs replaced them in September 2015 (17 goals; target 2030). The 2012 Rio+20 conference discussed sustainable development but did not adopt the SDGs.
Q3 (NAT): A building targeting LEED Gold certification requires a minimum of 60 points. Its current score is: Location & Transport = 12, Sustainable Sites = 7, Water = 8, Energy = 24, Materials = 10, Indoor EQ = 12, Innovation = 4. Does it achieve Gold? What additional points are needed for Platinum?
A3:
– Current total = 12 + 7 + 8 + 24 + 10 + 12 + 4 = 77 points
– LEED Gold threshold = 60–79 → 77 ≥ 60 → YES, achieves Gold ✓
– Platinum threshold = 80 points
– Additional points needed for Platinum = 80 − 77 = 3 more points
Q4 (MCQ): BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is significant in the history of green building rating because:
(A) It was the first system to introduce the LEED point structure
(B) It was the world’s first green building rating system, established in 1990
(C) It was developed in India as the precursor to GRIHA
(D) It was introduced in 1998 alongside LEED
A4: (B) BREEAM = world’s first green building rating method; launched by BRE, UK, in 1990 — eight years before LEED (1998).
Q5 (MSQ): Which of the following statements about ECBC 2017 are correct? Select all that apply.
(A) ECBC applies to commercial buildings with connected electrical load ≥ 100 kW
(B) ECBC is administered by BEE under the Energy Conservation Act 2001
(C) ECBC applies to all residential buildings in India
(D) The prescriptive compliance path requires each component to individually meet code maximums
(E) The Whole Building Performance path allows trade-offs between components provided overall energy use is no greater than the reference building
A5: (A), (B), (D), and (E).
– (A) ✓ ≥ 100 kW connected load or ≥ 120 kVA contract demand.
– (B) ✓ BEE administers ECBC under Energy Conservation Act 2001.
– (C) ✗ ECBC applies to commercial buildings only — not residential housing.
– (D) ✓ Prescriptive = each component meets individual code maximums.
– (E) ✓ WBP = whole-building energy simulation vs reference; trade-offs allowed.