GRIHA, an acronym for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, is the National Rating System of India. GRIHA is a Sanskrit word meaning – ‘Abode’. Human Habitats (Buildings) interact with the environment in various ways. Throughout their life cycles, from construction to operation and then demolition, they consume resources in the form of energy, water, materials, etc. and emit wastes either directly in the form of municipal wastes or indirectly as emissions from electricity generation. GRIHA attempts to minimize a building’s resource consumption, waste generation, and overall ecological impact to within certain nationally acceptable limits / benchmarks.

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.

GRIHA is a rating tool that helps people assess the performance of their building against certain nationally acceptable benchmarks. It will evaluate the environmental performance of a building holistically over its entire life cycle, thereby providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a ‘green building’. The rating system, based on accepted energy and environmental principles, will seek to strike a balance between the established practices and emerging concepts, both national and international. The guidelines/criteria appraisal may be revised every three years to take into account the latest scientific developments during this period.

The Context and Development

Internationally, voluntary building rating systems have been instrumental in raising awareness and popularizing green design. However, most of the rating systems devised have been tailored to suit the building industry of the country where they were developed.

TERI took the responsibility of popularizing green building by developing a tool for measuring and rating a building's environmental performance in the context of India's varied climate and building practices.

This tool has been adopted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. This tool, by its qualitative and quantitative assessment criteria, is able to ‘rate’ a building on the degree of its ‘greenness’. The rating would be applied to new building stock of varied functions – commercial, institutional, and residential.

The challenges

The Indian building industry is highly de-centralized with people and/ or groups engaged in design, construction, equipment provision, installation, and renovation working together. Each group may be organized to some extent, but there is limited interaction among the groups, thus disabling the integrated green design and application process.

Hence, it is very important to define and quantify sustainable building practices and their benefits. It is also important to separate the role of different participants in ensuring that the building consumes minimal resources over its entire life cycle and leaves behind a minimal environmental footprint.

Basic features

The system has been developed to help ‘design and evaluate’ new buildings (buildings that are still at the inception stages). A building is assessed based on its predicted performance over its entire life cycle – inception through operation. The stages of the life cycle that have been identified for evaluation are:

• Pre-construction stage (intra- and inter-site issues like proximity to public transport, type of soil, kind of land, where the property is located, the flora and fauna on the land before construction activity starts, the natural landscape and land features)
• Building planning and construction stages (issues of resource conservation and reduction in resource demand, resource utilization efficiency, resource recovery and reuse, and provisions for occupant health and well being). The prime resources that are considered in this section are land, water, energy, air, and green cover.
• Building operation and maintenance stage (issues of operation and maintenance of building systems and processes, monitoring and recording of energy consumption, and occupant health and well being, and also issues that affect the global and local environment.

The benefits

On a broader scale, this system, along with the activities and processes that lead up to it, will benefit the community at large with the improvement in the environment by reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, reducing energy consumption and the stress on natural resources.

Some of the benefits of a green design to a building owner, user, and the society as a whole are as follows:

• Reduced energy consumption without sacrificing the comfort levels
• Reduced destruction of natural areas, habitats, and biodiversity, and reduced soil loss from erosion etc.
• Reduced air and water pollution (with direct health benefits)
• Reduced water consumption
• Limited waste generation due to recycling and reuse
• Reduced pollution loads
• Increased user productivity
• Enhanced image and marketability

Rating System

GRIHA rating system consists of 34 criteria categorized under various sections such as Site Selection and Site Planning, Conservation and efficient utilization of resources, Building operation and maintenance, and Innovation points. Eight of these 34 criteria are mandatory, four are partly mandatory, while the rest are optional. Each criterion has a number of points assigned to it. It means that a project intending to meet the criterion would qualify for the points. Different levels of certification (one star to five stars) are awarded based on the number of points earned. The minimum points required for certification is 50.

The criteria have been categorised as follows:

1. Site planning

A) Conservation and efficient utilization of resources

Objective:

To maximize the conservation and utilisation of resources (land, water, natural habitat, avi fauna, and energy) conservation and enhance efficiency of the systems and operations.

Criteria 1: Site Selection:

Commitment:

Site plan should be in conformity to the Development Plan/Master Plan/UDPFI guidelines (mandatory). Site should be located within ½ km radius of an existing or planned and funded bus stops, commuter rail, light rail or metro station or the proposed site is a brownfield site (to rehabilitate damaged sites where development is complicated by environmental contamination, reducing pressure on undeveloped land).

POINT: 1   [Partly Mandatory]

Criteria 2: Preserve and protect the landscape during construction/compensatory depository forestation.

Commitment:

Proper timing of construction, preserve top soil and existing vegetation, staging and spill prevention, and erosion and sedimentation control. Replant, onsite, trees in the ratio 1:3 to those removed during construction.

POINTS: 5 [Partly Mandatory]

Criteria 3: Soil conservation (till post-construction).

Commitment:

Proper top soil laying and stabilization of the soil and maintenance of adequate fertility of the soil to support vegetative growth.

POINTS: 4

Criteria 4: Design to include existing site features.

Commitment:

Minimize the disruption of natural ecosystem and design to harness maximum benefits of the prevailing micro-climate.

POINTS: 2 [Mandatory]

Criteria 5: Reduce hard paving on-site and /or provide shaded hard- paved surfaces.

Commitment:

Minimize storm water run-off from site by reducing hard paving on site.

POINTS: 2 [Partly Mandatory]

Criteria 6: Enhance outdoor lighting system efficiency.

Commitment:

Meet minimum allowable luminous efficacy (as per lamp type) and make progressive use of a renewable energy -based lighting system.

POINTS: 3

Criteria 7: Plan utilities efficiently and optimize on-site circulation efficiency.

Commitment:

Minimize road and pedestrian walkway length by appropriate planning and provide aggregate corridors for utility lines.

POINTS: 3

B) Health and well being

Objectives:

To protect the health of construction workers and prevent pollution.

Criterion 8: Provide at least, the minimum level of sanitation/safety facilities for construction workers.

Commitment:

Ensure cleanliness of workplace with regard to the disposal of waste and effluent, provide clean drinking water and latrines and urinals as per applicable standard.

POINTS: 2 [Mandatory]

Criterion 9: Reduce air pollution during construction.

Commitment:

Ensure proper screening, covering stockpiles, covering brick and loads of dusty materials, wheel-washing facility, and water spraying.

POINTS: 2 [Mandatory]

2. Building planning and construction stage

A) Conservation and efficient utilization of resources

Objective:

To maximize resource (water, energy, and materials) conservation and enhance efficiency of the system and operations.

Water

Criterion 10: Reduce landscape water requirement.

Commitment:

Landscape using native species and reduce lawn areas while enhancing the irrigation efficiency, reduction in water requirement for landscaping purposes.

POINTS: 3

Criterion 11: Reduce building water use.

Commitment:

Reduce building water use by applying low-flow fixtures, etc.

POINTS: 2

Criterion 12: Efficient water use during construction.

Commitment:

Use materials such as pre-mixed concrete for preventing loss during mixing. Use recycled treated water and controls the waste of curing water.

POINT: 1

Energy: end use

Criterion 13: Optimise building design to reduce the conventional energy demand.

Commitment:

Plan appropriately to reflect climate responsiveness, adopt an adequate comfort range, less air-conditioned areas, daylighting, and avoid over-design of the lighting and air-conditioning systems.

POINTS: 6 [Mandatory]

Criterion 14 Optimise the energy performance of the building within specified comfort limits.

Commitment:

Ensure that energy consumption in building under a specified category is 10%–40% less than that benchmarked through a simulation exercise. Ensure that thermal comfort in non air conditioned spaces is within specified limits.

POINTS: 12

Energy: embodied and construction

Criterion 15: Utilization of fly ash in the building structure.

Commitment:

Use of fly ash for RCC (reinforced cement concrete) structures with in-fill walls and load bearing structures, mortar, and binders.

POINTS: 6

Criterion 16: Reduce volume, weight, and time of construction by adopting an efficient technology (e.g. pre-cast systems, ready-mix concrete, etc.).

Commitment:

Replace a part of the energy-intensive materials with less energy intensive materials and/or utilize regionally available materials, which use low energy/energy-efficient technologies.

POINTS: 4

Criterion 17: Use low-energy material in the interiors.

Commitment:

Minimum 70% in each of the three categories of interiors (internal partitions, panelling / false ceiling / interior wood finishes / in-built furniture door / window frames, flooring) from low energy materials/finishes to minimize the usage of wood.

POINTS: 4

Energy: renewable

Criterion 18: Renewable energy utilization.

Commitment:

Mandatory provide renewable energy system with capacity equivalent to 1% of connected load for lighting and space conditioning. Meet energy requirements for a minimum of 5% of the internal lighting load (for general lighting) or its equivalent from renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass, fuel cells, etc). Energy requirements will be calculated based on realistic assumptions which will be subject to verification during appraisal.

POINTS: 5 [Partly Mandatory]

Criterion 19: Renewable energy - based hot- water system.

Commitment:

Meet 20% or more of the annual energy required for heating water through renewable energy based water-heating systems.

POINTS: 3

B) Recycle, recharge, and reuse of water

Objective:

To promote the recycle and reuse of water.

Criterion 20: Waste- water treatment

Commitment:

Provide necessary treatment of water for achieving the desired concentration of effluents.

POINTS: 2

Criterion 21: Water recycle and reuse (including rainwater).

Commitment:

Provide wastewater treatment on-site for achieving prescribed concentration, rainwater harvesting, reuse of treated waste water and rainwater for meeting the building’s water and irrigation demand.

POINTS: 5

C. Waste management

Criterion 22: Reduction in waste during construction.

Commitment:

Ensure maximum resource recovery and safe disposal of wastes generated during construction and reduce the burden on landfill.

POINTS: 2

Criterion 23: Efficient waste segregation.

Commitment:

Use different coloured bins for collecting different categories of waste from the building.

POINTS: 2

Criterion 24: Storage and disposal of waste.

Commitment:

Allocate separate space for the collected waste before transferring it to the recycling/disposal stations.

POINTS: 2

Criterion 25: Resource recovery from waste.

Commitment:

Employ resource recovery systems for biodegradable waste as per the Solid Waste Management and handling Rules, 2000 of the MoEF. Make arrangements for recycling of waste through local dealers.

POINTS: 2

D. Health and well-being

Objective:
 
To ensure healthy indoor air quality, water quality, and noise levels, and reduce the global warming potential. Use of low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints/ adhesives / sealants.

Criterion 26: Use of low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints/ adhesives / sealants.

Commitment:

Use only low VOC paints in the interior of the building. Use water – based rather than solvent based sealants and adhesives.

POINTS: 4

Criterion 27: Minimize ozone depleting substances.

Commitment:

Employ 100% zero ODP (ozone depletion potential) insulation; HCFC (hydro chlorofluorocarbon)/ and CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) free HVAC and refrigeration equipments and / halon-free fire suppression and fire extinguishing systems.

POINTS: 3 [Mandatory]

Criterion 28: Ensure water quality.

Commitment:

Ensure groundwater and municipal water meet the water quality norms as prescribed in the Indian Standards for various applications (Indian Standards for drinking [IS 10500-1991], irrigation applications [IS 11624-1986]. In case the water quality cannot be ensured, provide necessary treatment of raw water for achieving the desired concentration for various applications.

POINTS: 2 [Mandatory]

Criterion 29: Acceptable outdoor and indoor noise levels.

Commitment:

Ensure outdoor noise level conforms to the Central Pollution Control Board–Environmental Standards–Noise (ambient standards) and indoor noise level conforms to the National Building Code of India, 2005, Bureau of Indian Standards, Part 8–Building Services; Section 4–Acoustics, sound insulation, and noise control.

POINTS: 2

Criterion 30: Tobacco and smoke control.

Commitment:

Zero exposure to tobacco smoke for non-smokers, and exclusive ventilation for smoking rooms.

POINTS: 1

Criterion 31 Universal accessibility

Commitment:

To ensure accessibility and usability of the building and its facilities by employees, visitors and clients with disabilities

POINTS: 1

3. Building operation and maintenance

Objective

Validate and maintain ‘green’ performance levels/adopt and propagate green practices and concepts.

Criterion 32: Energy audit and validation.

Commitment:

Energy audit report to be prepared by approved auditors of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Government of India.

POINTS: Mandatory

Criterion 33: Operation and maintenance protocol for electrical and mechanical equipment.

Commitment:

Ensure the inclusion of a specific clause in the contract document for the commissioning of all electrical and mechanical systems to be maintained by the owner, supplier, or operator. Provide a core facility/service management group, if applicable, which will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the building and the electrical and mechanical systems after the commissioning. Owner/ builder/ occupants/ service or facility management group to prepare a fully documented operations and maintenance manual, CD, multimedia or an information brochure listing the best practices/do’s and don’ts/maintenance requirements for the building and the electrical and mechanical systems along with the names and addresses of the manufacturers/suppliers of the respective system.

POINTS: 2 [Mandatory]

4. Innovation

Criterion 34: Innovation points.

Four innovation points are available under the rating system for adopting criteria which enhance the green intent of a project, and the applicant can apply for the bonus points. Some of the probable points, not restricted to the ones enumerated below, could be

1. Alternative transportation
2. Environmental education
3. Company policy on green supply chain
4. Life cycle cost analysis
5. Any other criteria proposed by applicant

POINTS: 4 [Beyond 100 points]

Scoring points for GRIHA

GRIHA is a guiding and performance-oriented system where points are earned for meeting the design and performance intent of the criteria. Each criterion has a number of points assigned to it. It means that a project intending to meet the criterion would qualify for the points.

GRIHA has a 100 point system consisting of some core points, which are mandatory to be met while the rest are optional points, which can be earned by complying with the commitment of the criterion for which the point is allocated. Different levels of certification (one star to five stars) are awarded based on the number of points earned. The minimum points required for certification is 50. Buildings scoring 50 to 60 points, 61 to 70 points, 71 to 80 points, and 81 to 90 points will get one star, ‘two stars’, ‘three stars’ and ‘four stars’ respectively. A building scoring 91 to 100 points will get the maximum rating viz. five stars.