Introduction
Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of CII, ushered the green building movement in India in 2001 with the mission to build a greener and healthier nation. Initially, the
focus was on individual buildings and office spaces. These certified buildings have become role models in spearheading the movement in India by demonstrating that make good business sense, and that constructing them is technically feasible and economically viable. Today, the entire range of building types including IT parks, industrial parks, convention centres, schools, hospitals and MRTS are going the green way. Understanding this progress and appreciating the fact that each building type is different and needs a unique approach and process, IGBC has launched different rating systems to suit various types of built environment. As a result of its members’ concerted efforts, IGBC has launched 14 green building rating systems including one for campuses. IGBC Rating System for Green Campuses is designed to cater to administrative, educational, healthcare, hospitality and recreational campuses. They are broadly classified into two types – new and existing campuses. Campuses covered under this rating include:

• Multiple buildings with the same functionality
• Multiple buildings with different functionality – mixed use developments
• Buildings owned by a single owner
• Buildings owned by multiple owners
 

Benefits of a Green Campus
A green campus offers a whole range of benefits, tangible and intangible. The most tangible benefi ts are reduced water and energy consumption right from day one of occupancy. Energy savings are in the range of 20 to 30% and water savings to the tune of 30 to 50%. Intangible benefits include health and well-being of the occupants, enhancement of air quality, promotion of biodiversity, additional safety and conservation of scarce natural resources. Thus they address the most important national priorities.
 

India’s First IGBC Rated Green Campus: SBI Staff College, Hyderabad
SBI Staff College in Hyderabad has gained the unique distinction of becoming India’s first IGBC rated green campus; it has achieved the Gold rating. It is a landmark campus – a combination of heritage and contemporary buildings. The campus includes an administrative building, lecture halls and residential quarters for the staff and delegates. The project demonstrates how an existing building, built in early 1970s, can be dovetailed with the latest building structures to become a green campus.
Some of the green features of the campus are:
• Retrofitting of major energy consuming equipment
• 40 kW capacity solar panels
• 100% rain water harvesting
• 64% of landscaped area covered with drought-tolerant species
More than 200 existing trees cover the pathways, providing 100% shaded areas for walking. Further, there is a special focus on enhancing the health and welfare of the occupants and guests. The campus offers facilities like Yoga and meditation hall, gymnasium, outdoor sports, indoor games and parks.

Conclusion
A green campus goes a long way towards enhancing the quality of life, reducing travel time, promoting native species and in the process enabling buildings to contribute
to a greener and healthier India. SBI Staff College has set an example worth emulating, on how an existing campus can set new benchmarks in environmental management.
IGBC aspires that the places we live, study, work, play and commute in, should all go the green way.