India ranks third globally for LEED GBCI in 2023

248 projects were certified for LEED, covering 72.36 million square metres/778.91 million square feet of gross area.

In the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual ranking of the Top 10 Countries and Regions for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in 2023, India held the third position. In the nation, 248 projects totaling 7.23 million gross square metres (GSM) of buildings and other places were certified LEED. With nearly 24 million GSM approved, China led the top 10 rankings for 2023. Canada came in second with 7.9 million GSM. The USGBC annual ranking demonstrates the noteworthy advancements non-US countries and regions have made in implementing resilient, sustainable, and healthy building design, construction, and operations.

The most popular green building certification programme in the world, LEED, is used to rate green buildings, and its achievement and leadership in sustainability are highly acknowledged. The rating system offers a foundation for cost-effective, highly efficient, and healthful green buildings and is accessible for almost all building types.

India’s continuous placement in the top three over the past few years highlights its dedication to reaching the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The rating demonstrates India’s commitment to combating climate change, with a focus on green development and the encouragement of eco-friendly behaviour. The Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), which oversees LEED in India, has been pushing for a quicker national adoption rate for green buildings.

Commenting on this milestone, Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, Managing Director, Southeast Asia & Middle East, GBCI, says, “With India’s rapidly growing urban landscape, the investment in green buildings becomes imperative, which extends beyond resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact; it is a fundamental step towards enhancing the well-being of our communities. India’s consistent presence among the top countries for LEED underscores the dedicated pursuit of sustainable living and the widespread adoption of green buildings. India has committed to achieving the net zero emission target by 2070, demonstrating its active engagement in global climate initiatives.”

Based on data and research on the Gross Square Metres (GSM) of LEED-certified space as of 2023, the list is put together. Despite not being on the list, the United States continues to be the largest market for LEED, with more than 51 million GSM certified annually. The ranking of the top 10 countries is as follows:

India has more than 2,200 buildings total—more than 212 million GSM—that are part of its total commercial developments that are LEED certified. India leads the world in LEED Zero certifications and is a global leader in net zero as well. India had 24 LEED Zero certificates in 2023. Globally renowned as an emblem of distinction, LEED keeps raising the standard for sustainable architecture, urban planning, and community development. For green buildings that are just starting out on their sustainability journey or those who want to confirm net zero performance, LEED offers a route to certification.

The USGBC steers the market towards high-performing buildings through LEED. In 2023, the USGBC unveiled a draft of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) v5 framework for Operations and Maintenance (O+M) as part of its ongoing efforts to establish new standards in the field. Under the LEED v5 framework, it is the first rating system to be made public. 2024 will see the implementation of LEED v5 for Building Design and Construction (BD+C).

For more info visit: https://www.gbci.org/

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