AR. PRAVEEN SOMA is the Principal Counsellor at the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), where he has been pivotal since 2010 in advancing India’s green building movement. He has facilitated over 1,000 green building projects across India, contributing significantly to the nation’s sustainable infrastructure. As a key figure in developing IGBC’s Green Homes Rating System, he has influenced a substantial portion of India’s green building footprint. An IGBC Accredited Professional and trained assessor, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from SPA, JNTU, Hyderabad. Ar. Soma is also a prominent speaker, regularly contributing to the Green Building Congress and other sustainability forums.
As Principal Counsellor at CII, how do you see the organization’s efforts influencing the adoption of green building practices across India, especially through the certification of over 9000 eco-friendly products?
- CII’s Impact on Green Buildings: Since its inception in 2001, CIIGreen Business Centre (CIIGBC) has been a pioneer in the green building movement. India’s first Platinum-rated green building was established in 2003, achieving NetZero Energy status by 2018. This
initiative has inspired over 14,000 projects spanning 13 billion sq. ft., demonstrating tangible benefits such as energy and water savings, waste reduction, and increased adoption of renewable energy. Today, IGBC holds over 92% market share among all green-rated projects in India, covering 35+ rating typologies. - CII GreenPro’s decade of Impact: Since its launch in 2015, CII GreenPro has certified over 10,000 ecolabeled products across 40+categories, spanning building materials, consumer goods, and industrial products. GreenPro’s life cycle assessment-based certification has helped reduce 7.5 million tonnes of CO2 in the last three years and has contributed to the creation of over 200,000 green jobs. Today, developers, corporations, and public works departments (PWDs) actively adopt green procurement strategies, lowering embodied carbon footprints and promoting a circular economy
With 30 IGBC Rating Systems shaped under your leadership, what key criteria have evolved over the years, and how do these ratings address the unique environmental challenges of different building typologies?
- The 35 IGBC rating systems have evolved into tailored sustainability frameworks, addressing the unique needs of residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects while setting high sustainability 99 benchmarks. These rating systems not only align with national codes such as ECBC, NBC, and UPC-1 but also exceed them by 20-30%.
- Net Zero Leadership: IGBC pioneered Net Zero standards with the launch of Net Zero Energy in 2018, Net Zero Water in 2019, Zero Waste to Landfill in 2022, and Net Zero Carbon in 2024. Currently, IGBC is collaborating on 150+ Net Zero projects, driving
sustainability across these domains. - Climate-Responsive Sustainability: IGBC’s criteria have evolved to incorporate India’s diverse climatic zones, ensuring region-specific strategies for energy efficiency, water conservation, and resource optimization.
- Expanding Sustainability Goals: IGBC ratings now encompass carbon neutrality, occupant wellbeing, and net-zero objectives, aligning with global sustainability standards and enhancing the built environment’s resilience.
- Future-Ready Innovations: By integrating advanced technologies, IGBC frameworks promote smart building solutions, renewable energy adoption, and circular economy principles, paving the way for next-generation sustainable developments.
Can you walk us through the importance of the GreenPro Ecolabel Certification, and how it contributes to ensuring that products used in green buildings meet stringent ecological standards?
GreenPro Ecolabel Certification: Driving Sustainability in Building & Manufacturing GreenPro Ecolabel Certification, a Type 1 Ecolabel based on ISO 14024, serves as a crucial tool for promoting sustainable products in the building and manufacturing industries. It offers third-party assurance that a product meets stringent ecological standards, strengthening the green building ecosystem. Many leading green building rating systems, including IGBC, recognize GreenProcertified products, enabling builders and architects to select materials that align with sustainability benchmarks. GreenPro follows a lifecycle assessment approach, evaluating a product’s raw materials, manufacturing processes, usage, and disposal to ensure minimal environmental impact.
Certified products are:
- Free from hazardous substances
- Designed for lower carbon footprints
- Manufactured using sustainable resources GreenPro-certified materials contribute to energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and environmental footprint reduction, making them a preferred choice for sustainable construction. Global Recognition & Circular Economy Impact GreenPro fosters international collaborations and export opportunities, supporting Net-Zero and Circular Economy Goals. By promoting lowcarbon and circular economy principles, the certification encourages the use of eco-friendly materials and responsible manufacturing practices, driving the transition to a more sustainable future.
How do you envision the future of green buildings in India? What trends, such as Net Zero Energy buildings or water waste management, do you see gaining traction in the coming decade?
- The Future of Green Buildings in India: Key Trends
- Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs): NZEBs, which generate renewable energy to fully offset their energy consumption, are gaining momentum, driven by IGBC certifications and government sustainability initiatives.
- Water Conservation & Waste Management: With rising water scarcity, buildings will increasingly adopt rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and reuse systems, supported by IGBC’s Net Zero Water certification.
- Smart & Sustainable Materials: The use of adaptive materials that enhance energy efficiency, insulation, and durability will continue to grow. The shift towards recyclable, locally sourced, and low-carbon materials will redefine sustainable construction practices.
- Policy & Market Transformation: Strengthened government regulations, financial incentives, and corporate ESG commitments will accelerate the green building movement across the country, fostering widespread adoption of sustainability initiatives.
In your opinion, how should architectural education evolve to better prepare the next generation of architects to integrate sustainability into their designs from the outset?
Architectural education must evolve to position sustainability as a core principle, rather than an afterthought. Future architects should be trained to integrate environmental responsibility into design from the outset. This requires a shift from conventional approaches to a holistic, sustainability driven framework that prepares architects for a greener future.
- Key Areas of Evolution:
- Sustainability as a Core Principle: Embedding climate-responsive design, circular economy principles, and resource efficiency into the curriculum. Sustainability should
Architectural education must evolve to position sustainability as a core principle, rather than an afterthought. Future architects should be trained to integrate environmental
responsibility into design from the outset. be a core part of architectural learning, with energy-efficient design, material selection, and waste management forming the foundation of a student’s design approach - Hands-on Learning & Real-World Application: Encouraging green building certifications, energy modeling, and site-specific sustainable solutions through practical projects.
- Focus on Passive Design: Architectural education should emphasize natural lighting, passive cooling, and ventilation, helping students design buildings that reduce energy consumption using natural resources.
- Technological Integration: Leveraging advanced tools such as parametric design, AI-driven optimization, and BIM for energyefficient architecture.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Fostering cooperation with environmental scientists, urban planners, and policy experts for comprehensive, sustainable solutions.
- Policy & Ethics Awareness: Educating students on green building codes, carbon neutrality goals, and ethical responsibilities in sustainable development.
- Adapting to New Technologies: With advancements in AI, BIM, and sustainable materials, architectural education must evolve to equip students with modern tools for efficient and eco-conscious design. By embedding sustainability from the foundation of architectural education, future architects can design buildings that are not only aesthetically compelling but also environmentally responsible, resilient, and regenerative.
What challenges and opportunities exist in integrating green building practices into affordable housing projects, and how can we make sustainability accessible to all socioeconomic segments?
- Cost Constraints and Initial Investment: Green building practices often involve higher upfront costs for sustainable materials and technologies, which can be a challenge for affordable housing developers working within tight budgets.
- Long-Term Savings and Government Incentives: Despite the initial cost, green buildings offer longterm savings through energy efficiency, reduced utility bills, and
water conservation. Government incentives, tax rebates, and green building certifications can help offset these costs for developers. - Low-Cost Sustainable Materials and Prefabrication: Utilizing affordable, sustainable materials like locally sourced or recycled products, and adopting modular or prefabricated construction methods, can make green building practices more accessible without compromising on quality or cost.
- Community Engagement and Education: Educating low-income communities on the benefits of sustainable housing, such as lower utility bills and healthier living environments, can increase demand for green homes and help residents embrace sustainability.
- Policy and Financing Support: Governments should introduce policies that offer financial incentives, green building certifications, and accessible financing options, making it easier for developers to build affordable, sustainable homes for all socioeconomic segments.
How do effective project management and construction practices contribute to the sustainability of a building project, and what key strategies should be implemented to ensure long-term environmental stewardship?
- Effective project management ensures efficient resource management by optimal use of materials, energy, and water, reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact.
- By adopting sustainable construction practices such as using eco-friendly materials, low-emission equipment, and efficient site operations, carbon emissions can be reduced, enhancing long-term sustainability.
- Through waste and water conservation practices such as implementing recycling programs, rainwater harvesting, and efficient plumbing systems, construction waste is reduced, and responsible water use is promoted.
- Project management involves quality control and collaboration by ensuring proper execution, regular monitoring, and stakeholder training, which improve building performance, extend lifespan, and foster environmental responsibility.
What role does policy advocacy play in advancing green building initiatives, and how can closer collaboration between industry stakeholders drive the green building movement forward more effectively?
- Policy Advocacy for Green Buildings: Strong policies and regulations help drive sustainable construction by setting environmental standards, offering incentives, and ensuring compliance with green building practices.
- Industry Collaboration for Impact: Closer collaboration among architects, developers, policymakers, and technology providers fosters innovation, promotes knowledge sharing, and accelerates the adoption of sustainable solutions.
