Abstract
Reducing environmental degradation and providing occupant comfort are the key features of a green building. Green buildings are resource efficient, which save more than 40 per cent water and energy, as compared to conventional buildings. The GRIHA Council provides constant and-holding support and post occupancy performance audits as a unique feature of the GRIHA rating process. Green building may be a modern term but sustainability is an age-old concept and has been ingrained in the Indian culture since always. Over the centuries, various regional styles of construction have evolved in the country governed by the usage pattern, social behaviour and climate. This was done predominantly using locally available materials and hence was inherently sustainable. There has been an increasing trend in the growth of green buildings consistently over the past 3 years. The demand for green certification has significantly increased in the states and municipalities where incentives are being provided to the developers for green constructions. GRIHA is an indigenous rating system developed to suit the local climate and construction practices. The GRIHA Council has also been enhancing its ratings to suit to the changing markets and align with evolving government policies. GRIHA has even been acknowledged as India's own green building rating system, is a tool to evaluate reduction in emission intensity through habitats.

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