1. The New Reality: Why Environmental Sensitivity Matters
India’s construction and real estate sectors are undergoing a profound shift: green buildings are increasingly seen not as a luxury, but a necessity – be it metros like Pune, or cities like Nashik. This evolution is driven by environmental sensitivity, consumer preferences, regulatory incentives, and forward-thinking developers like Kotibhaskar embracing green building standards. This is driven by a host of factors – all coming together to create the scenario that we now see.
India faces acute urbanization, population growth, and environmental challenges. Conventional construction methods consume vast natural resources and contribute heavily to pollution, waste, and carbon emissions. Buildings in India can account for up to 30–38% of energy consumption and a significant portion of waste and greenhouse gas emissions. With urbanisation projected to bring millions of new urban dwellers in the coming years, the stress on natural resources is unprecedented.
Cities like Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai already face acute water shortages, worsening air quality, and rising urban heat stress. Traditional construction models intensify these pressures. Hence, environmental sensitivity is no longer optional—it is central to responsible urban growth.
How Does Environmentally sensitive construction help?
Often termed “green” or “eco-sensitive”— environmentally sensitive construction addresses these challenges by:
• Reducing the use of non-renewable resources through energy-efficient designs and renewable energy installations.
• Limiting waste generation and promoting recycling.
• Minimizing pollution and resource depletion.
• Creating healthier living spaces for occupants by improving indoor air quality and harnessing natural light and ventilation.
This consciousness is reshaping real estate, as cities and citizens recognize that sustainability ensures not only the planet’s future but also improves quality of life today.
2. IGBC’s Role: Mainstreaming Sustainability
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of CII, has championed sustainable construction since 2001. With over 12.3 billion sq. ft. of registered green projects (IGBC, 2024), India now ranks among the top three nations globally for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in 2023 (GBCI, 2023).
Green building rating systems go beyond energy efficiency. They measure water management, waste reduction, responsible materials use, biodiversity, and occupant health. Importantly, they certify affordable housing, hospitals, factories, and schools—proving that sustainability is not limited to premium residential projects alone, but is accessible across all price brackets. They provide structured frameworks and certifications for evaluating and recognizing green buildings in India.
Green buildings emphasize:
• Water efficiency (30-50% water savings through conservation and recycling).
• Energy efficiency (20-30% energy savings over conventional buildings).
• Pollution reduction.
• Use of sustainable materials.
• Healthy waste management (segregation and recycling at source).
Additionally, Green building certification incentivizes developers by providing:
• Quicker government clearances.
• Financial tokens such as lower interest rates and subsidies.
• Enhanced Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
• Higher property values and faster occupancy clearances.
For developers, partnering with IGBC/ASSOCHAM not only delivers sustainability but also business viability. For buyers and tenants, green building certification is a hallmark of quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.
3. Why Consumers Should Care
For today’s buyers, environmental sustainability translates into personal and financial value:
• Lower Utility Bills: Green buildings certified homes achieve 20–30% energy savings and 30– 50% water savings (WorldGBC, 2023).
• Healthier Living: Better air circulation, reduced toxins, and increased daylight improve occupant well-being.
• Higher Resale Value: Green certifications carry premium demand in secondary markets.
• Sustainable Identity: The young generation prefer sustainable housing that reflects their values.
• Better waste management.
In essence, a green home is a healthier, future-proof investment. Homebuyers are increasingly prioritizing these benefits, looking for sustainability as a standard rather than a luxury or add-on. The notion that green buildings are expensive is rapidly dissolving, as long-term cost savings outweigh the minor upfront cost increase (typically 3-5% higher, but quickly offset by operational savings)
4. Societal Benefits: Beyond Individual Homes
The benefits of green buildings extend to society at large:
• Climate Mitigation: Buildings contribute to 30% of emissions; lowering this is key to India’s 2070 net-zero target.
• Water Resilience: Recycling and rainwater harvesting reduce stress on municipal supplies.
• Urban Livability: Greener neighbourhoods improve community well-being and reduce heat island effects.
• Economic Competitiveness: A robust green building movement attracts sustainable financing and positions India as a global leader in climate-conscious urbanisation.
• Enhanced biodiversity and restoration of green spaces.
• National progress towards ambitious climate goals and reduced carbon footprint.
Every IGBC-certified project contributes to these collective climate goals.
5. Consumer Trends: The Market Speaks
The demand for green buildings in India is surging as both investors and end-users recognize their value. Key trends include:
• Indian youth and urban professionals are increasingly environmentally conscious.
• Global corporations and GCCs (global capability centers) driving demand for sustainable office spaces to meet ESG mandates.
• Tenants willing to pay premium rents for green-certified spaces due to better working/living environments and long-term savings.
• Homebuyers increasingly view green homes as healthier, cost-saving, and future-ready investments, driving faster adoption across metros.
The conclusion is clear: sustainability is becoming a consumer demand, not just a developer’s choice.
6. Kotibhaskar: In Step with Evolving Expectations
Kotibhaskar, a proud IGBC member, has embraced this shift as core strategy, not marketing rhetoric. It is actively aligning itself with these evolving needs by delivering IGBC/ ASSOCHAM-certified projects and incorporating green practices in every facet of design, development, and customer communication. Their initiatives ensure that buyers benefit from healthier lifestyles, lower ownership costs, and higher long-term asset values.
Kotibhaskar’s embrace of IGBC / ASSOCHAM certification underscores their vision for responsible construction—a vision where every project is designed not only for comfort and aesthetics, but also for resource efficiency, environmental care, and future-readiness. By educating homebuyers and incorporating green features as a baseline (not a premium add-on), Kotibhaskar is making sustainability accessible to all its customers.
7. Conclusion: A Necessary Evolution
The real estate industry in India is at an inflection point. Green buildings—once seen as a luxury for the few—are now a necessity for the many, vital for environmental resilience,consumer well-being, social progress, and developer competitiveness. Green buildings standards offer the tools and recognition to drive this change, and developers like Kotibhaskar, at the forefront of this movement among the top builders in Pune, and others are setting the pace.
For homebuyers and investors, a green home is not only an act of personal benefit but one of broader social responsibility. As consumer trends shift, and as the environment demands urgent action, embracing green real estate is the only way forward for a sustainable and prosperous India.
Now, all the more, just a luxury apartment by itself does not always suffice; it needs the key feature of sustainability.
In a nutshell - green buildings are not a luxury—they are rapidly becoming a survival imperative.
• For developers, they future-proof business models.
• For consumers, they deliver financial savings and healthier living.
• For society, they mitigate climate risks and build resilience.
Kotibhaskar’s Green building-aligned approach – ensuring availability of a range of IGBC/ASSOCHAM -certified luxury apartments in Pune, reflects a deeper understanding: real estate must evolve in harmony with environmental and human needs. The homes we build today are the cities we will live in tomorrow—and those cities must be sustainable.
Check out our page on Sustainability for more on how sustainability is at the core of the Kotibhaskar groups vision.
Do navigate to our blog on understanding IGBC Certification as well.