Go Green: Mumbai’s Real Estate’s New Motto

In News-Mumbai Is A Leader In Green Building Certification, Says Rating Body

At a glance

1.  Mumbai leads in green buildings

• Mumbai has over 1,700 green building projects.
• These projects cover more than 1,800 million sq ft of eco-friendly built-up space.
• Out of these, 550+ buildings are certified as green.
• 45 buildings have achieved net-zero emissions (they balance all the energy they use with clean sources).

2.  What are green buildings?

These are buildings designed to:

• Use less electricity and water,
• Reduce carbon emissions,
• Be environmentally friendly.

3.  Why is the number of green buildings increasing?

• Government policies give special benefits:
• More FAR (extra construction area) if a building is IGBC-certified.
• IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) is the main rating body for green buildings in India.IGBC has:
• 14.75 billion sq ft of registered green footprint in India
• 17,060+ projects using its rating systems.
• 90% of India’s green buildings follow IGBC standards.

4.  Famous IGBC-certified buildings in the Mumbai Region

Some well-known buildings with green certifications:

• CIDCO Bhavan, Navi Mumbai
• Mumbai International Airport (CSMIA)
• Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation HQ
• Reserve Bank of India building, Fort
• Bombay House (Tata headquarters)
• Many office buildings in BKC

5.  Maharashtra is a national leader

• Maharashtra works closely with CII–IGBC to promote green buildings.
• Cities like Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, and Navi Mumbai are also adopting green building practices.
• The state is seen as a model for sustainable urban development.

6.  Government initiatives that support green buildings

The Maharashtra government has introduced strong policies:

FAR Incentives for IGBC ratings

• Silver rating → 3% extra FAR
• Gold rating → 5% extra FAR Platinum rating → 7% extra FAR

Rules for government buildings

All new government buildings and renovations must follow IGBC’s green building standards.

Urban planning rules (UDCPR 2020)

Integrated township projects must get at least a Silver IGBC rating.

Energy rules (ECBC 2025)

Maharashtra is drafting new energy rules for commercial buildings to meet national net-zero goals.

7.  Impact on India

Maharashtra’s efforts help India become the world’s second-largest green building market.

These green buildings help reduce:

• Carbon emissions
• Energy usage
• Water consumption

This supports India’s goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

8.  Expert statement

CII-IGBC leader M. Anand says Maharashtra’s policies show that sustainability and economic growth can go together, and the state is setting a benchmark for the rest of India.

Reaction

As someone who has resided in and contributed to shaping Mumbai’s built environment for decades, I view the remarkable rise in green buildings not just as a trend but as a historic transition in how we design, build, and envision the future of urban India. If you reside in Mumbai, you must have seen a significant surge of green buildings around. According to the data, Mumbai has over 1,700 green building projects. These projects have covered 1,800 million sq ft of eco-friendly built-up space. This is a sustainable development worth celebrating as a milestone. This shift in mindset has always been the fulcrum of Hiranandani Group's legacy in real estate development, where sustainable urbanism is a pivotal philosophy.

Real estate developers carry both an entrepreneurial and environmental responsibility, which is why the government's policy framework - especially for FAR incentives for IGBC-certified projects is a game changer. It incentivizes responsible developments and encourages the industry to embrace effective sustainable development practices. The real estate Developers fraternity must applaud and implement this thoughtful syncing of policy and purpose.

Hiranandani Group has continuously integrated green technologies since its inception. Whether it's energy-efficient designs or water recycling and urban afforestation, long before sustainability became mainstream. Witnessing the Maharashtra government establishing these principles, from UDCPR 2020 mandates to the upcoming ECBC 2025 framework, reinforces industry’s confidence in the vision of the state ahead.

The interesting fact is that Mumbai already has 1700 green projects aiming for net-zero, which symbolises that everything is achievable when innovation meets intent.

India’s mission to achieve low low-carbon economy by 2070, such a phenomenal contribution from states like Maharashtra becomes crucial. Indian cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Indore, Kochi, and Chandigarh are showing up as national benchmarks for sustainable development.

This initiative is not just about green buildings; rather, it's about redefining India’s urban culture with a promising future. Maharashtra has showcased that sustainability isn't a price to pay; rather, it is a long-term investment in resilience, staying ahead of the curve, and leadership on a global level.

As I reflect on this progression, I am sure that the real estate industry will stay committed to building an environment that serves our citizens, our economy, future generations, and our planet, not just today but tomorrow.