Blending & shortlisting indicators from existing sustainability rating systems in Indian context

Abstract

The meaning of sustainability in today’s world varies from place to place, region to region and person to person. In such a scenario the absolute or standard parameters used by various sustainability rating systems cannot stand accurate in a geographically, climatically and socially diverse nation like India. In such cases some buildings which have considerably low impact on the environment are unable to get green rating certification due to the rigidity in existing rating systems. Also occupants in different regions have contrasting perceptions about the relative importance of various sustainability indicators. The opinion of local people with idea about sustainability can be the key in defining affective sustainability practices as and local people have the minutest knowledge about their surroundings and their needs. This article attempts to identify, blend and shortlist optimum sustainability indicators in Indian context by studying the existing popular rating systems (LEED, GRIHA and IGBC). It also aims towards ranking the relative importance of the 7 major domains of sustainability indicators with help of qualitative research methodology.