How to achieve net zero certification for your building?

et zero buildings, which generate as much energy as they consume, are an essential part of the green building movement, which aims to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. As such, many green building certification programs have emerged to recognize and support the development of these structures.

In India, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) offers the Net Zero Energy Buildings rating system to certify buildings that generate as much energy as they consume, and the US Green Building Council (USGBC) offers LEED Zero certification programs for net zero energy, carbon, water, and waste. These certifications recognize buildings that have achieved sustainability benchmarks beyond those required for standard green building certification.

Indian companies are increasingly embracing net zero buildings as a way to reduce their carbon footprint and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. One example is the Wipro campus in Hyderabad, which achieved a net zero energy balance through a combination of energy-efficient design, renewable energy sources, and intelligent building systems. The building features a solar photovoltaic array, a geothermal cooling system, and efficient LED lighting, which contribute to its impressive energy savings.

LEED Zero Carbon certification recognizes buildings that have achieved net zero carbon emissions from energy consumption over a 12-month period, through a balance between the amount of carbon emitted and the amount of carbon avoided or offset. This can be achieved through the use of renewable energy sources, as well as through energy-efficient design and building operations.

LEED Zero Energy certification recognizes buildings that have achieved a source energy use balance of zero over a 12-month period, by generating enough energy on-site to offset the energy consumed. This can be achieved through the use of solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources, as well as through energy-efficient building design and operations.

LEED Zero Water certification recognizes buildings that have achieved a potable water use balance of zero over a 12-month period, by capturing and treating wastewater on-site and using it for other purposes to reduce the need for more potable water. This can be achieved through the use of rainwater harvesting systems, wastewater treatment systems, and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

LEED Zero Waste certification recognizes buildings that have achieved the Platinum level of GBCI’s TRUE Certification, by diverting at least 90% of waste from landfills and incineration. This can be achieved through the implementation of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs, as well as through the use of composting and other waste diversion strategies.

In line with the growing demand for net-zero buildings, GRIHA has recently introduced a Net Zero Energy and Net Zero Water certification. The aim of these certifications is to encourage and recognize buildings that produce as much energy or water as they consume, through various strategies including the use of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient systems, and rainwater harvesting techniques.

To achieve the Net Zero Energy certification, a building must meet the following criteria:

• The building must be designed to achieve a minimum of 4-star GRIHA rating
• The building must generate as much energy on-site as it consumes on an annual basis
• The energy generated on-site must be from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and biomass
• The building must have a minimum of 80% of the roof area available for installation of renewable energy systems
• The building must comply with all local regulations and standards for renewable energy systems.

Similarly, to achieve the Net Zero Water certification, a building must meet the following criteria:

• The building must be designed to achieve a minimum of 4-star GRIHA rating
• The building must offset the total water consumption by an equal amount of rainwater harvesting and/or recycled water
• The building must have a minimum of 50% of the roof area available for rainwater harvesting
• The building must comply with all local regulations and standards for rainwater harvesting and recycled water systems.

In conclusion, net zero buildings are becoming increasingly popular as a way to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. The IGBC, GRIHA, and USGBC offer certification programs to recognize these buildings and encourage their development. Indian companies are embracing net zero buildings as a way to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, as evidenced by the Wipro campus in Hyderabad. Achieving net zero certification requires a combination of energy-efficient design, renewable energy sources, and sustainable building operations, and can be an important step towards achieving a more sustainable future.