USGBC Announces Expanded Support for LEED Green Building Program in India

NEW DELHI, June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the creator and administrator of LEED, announced today it was expanding its support of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the popular global green building program, in India.

"The uptake of LEED across the globe has been extraordinary," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. "Because LEED buildings save energy, water and precious resources, they are our first line of defense in the worldwide fight to slow the impacts of climate change and promote wellness. The multinational architectural, engineering and construction companies that are leading the building boom around the world were early adopters of LEED in the U.S., and they are now applying LEED's principles and benefits in more than 150 countries. USGBC wants to provide significant support that can underpin this strong growth."

India ranks third globally for countries outside of the U.S. with the most LEED-certified space, with nearly 12 million square meters, according to a report released by USGBC last month.

Fedrizzi outlined four key initiatives that have been launched:

1) LEED is evolving to be a truly global rating system by providing local and regional paths for projects to achieve certification. These alternative compliance paths take into account regional climate, geography, land use laws and more. India will now have a seat at the LEED International Roundtable, the USGBC group responsible for driving the international development and applications of LEED.

2) In an effort to strengthen global consistency of the LEED rating system, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) will now manage certification of projects to all LEED rating systems in India, including assuming responsibility for LEED India certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). IGBC will continue to provide support to LEED India projects already in the system, but all new projects will come under the auspices of GBCI for certification services. 

3) With this move, the entire suite of LEED rating systems will now be available in India, including LEED v4, the latest update to the rating system that codifies performance goals through a continuing relationship with LEED throughout the life cycle of the building.

4) To support this increase in the LEED offerings in India, USGBC is establishing a hub in New Delhi to provide in-country support to LEED project teams, including education, technical support and customer service.

"We want to meet our customers where they are and provide local and regional support that makes the continuing use of LEED seamless," said Mahesh Ramanujam, chief operating officer, USGBC. "In addition to our own staff, we are significantly expanding our relationships in the region with other global organizations and service providers with whom we can explore the joint development and promotion of education and events, such as manuals and training modules, workshops and design charrettes, meetings, and conferences. We're also looking to collaborate around green schools, resilient communities, affordable housing and human health issues in LEED to help support our vision of green buildings for everyone within a generation."

Ramanujam noted that India has a leadership role in the efforts to transform the built environment into one that enhances the quality of life for all its citizens. "High performing buildings should be a mark of pride for India. With my home country's new forward-looking leadership under Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi, who has made sustainability a key value of his new administration, we are excited for LEED to play a key role in supporting that vision."

LEED is the world's most widely used and recognized rating system guiding the design, construction, operations and maintenance of green buildings. To date, project teams in more than 150 countries and territories have implemented LEED in their building projects, taking advantage of its global, regional and local applicability to create structures that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions; create healthier indoor environments for workers, students and community members; and lower utility bills for building owners through reduced energy and water use.

About LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification system is the world's foremost program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of green buildings. Every day, 1.7 million square feet (158,000 square meters) of space is certified using LEED in more than 150 countries and territories. LEED seeks to optimize the use of natural resources, promote regenerative and restorative strategies, maximize the positive and minimize the negative environmental and human health consequences of the construction industry, and provide high-quality indoor environments for building occupants. In addition, more than 56,000 residential units have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system, with more than 90,000 more homes registered. Learn more at USGBC.org/LEED and review the Foundations of LEED development process.

About GBCI

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) is a third-party organization that provides independent oversight of professional credentialing and project certification programs related to green building. GBCI is committed to ensuring precision in the design, development, and implementation of measurement processes for green building performance (through project certification) and green building practice (through professional credentials and certificates). Established in 2008 to administer certifications and professional designations within the framework of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® Green Building Rating Systems™, GBCI continues to develop new programs and offer the marketplace validation that building certifications and professional designations have met specific, rigorous criteria. Learn more at GBCI.org.

About the U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org, explore the Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG) and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Contact : Jacob Kriss
Media Specialist, USGBC
[email protected]
+1-202-595-3992

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