Introduction 

Construction Industry in India is one of the rapidly growing sectors and contributes significantly to the Nation’s economy.  The sector contributes to 10% of India’s GDP. Indian construction sector is growing at a rate of 9.2% as against the world average of 5.5%. The sector is likely to record higher growth in the coming years. India has construction capabilities in the areas of buildings, infrastructure development and highway projects. The growth of construction industry provides impetus to other manufacturing sectors like cement, iron & steel, power, chemicals, etc.,

Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) 

IGBC, which is part of CII-Godrej GBC, has taken on the initiative of promoting the Green Building concept in India. The council is represented by all stakeholders of construction industry -  Corporate, Government & Nodal agencies, Architects, Material manufacturers, Institutions, Media, etc. The activities of the council are steered and guided by the council members headed by Dr. Prem C Jain. The council operates on a consensus based approach and member-driven. The vision of the council is to serve as single point solution provider and be a key engine to facilitate all Green Building activities in India. 

The council has set the following specific tasks: 

• 
  Catalyse registration of 1000 Green Buildings per year by end 2010 
• 
  5000 IGBC Accredited green  building  professionals  by end 2010 
• 
  Tap Green Building materials and equipment market of Rs.15000 Crores by 2010 
• 
  Tap service opportunities for green building consultants in India and other countries  
• Develop LEED India as robust green building rating system
• Enable reduction in cost of constructing green buildings. The ultimate goal is to work towards reducing the cost of Green Buildings as compared to conventional buildings.

Green Building movement in India 

The Green Building movement has gained tremendous momentum during the past 5 years, ever since the Green Business Centre embarked on achieving the prestigious LEED rating for their own centre at Hyderabad. The   ‘Platinum   Rating’   for   the   Green   Business   Centre   building  has sensitized the stakeholders of the construction industry. Today, several corporate and Government organizations are considering Green Buildings in a major way. This has resulted in a spurt in the demand for green materials & equipment. From a humble beginning of 20,000 sq.ft of green footprint in the country in the year 2003, to a staggering 70 million sq.ft till date, green buildings are well poised to reach scalar heights. Today a variety of green building projects are coming up in the country - residential complexes, exhibition centers, hospitals, educational institutions, laboratories, IT parks, airports, government buildings and corporate offices The Indian materials and equipment manufacturers are now faced with a challenge to seriously look at green features to meet the growing demand for Green Buildings.