Advertisement
When should a housing society in Mumbai start considering re...
From GST on JDAs to SEBI’s REIT reclassification and the S...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
India ranked second globally, after Mainland China, for LEED-certified real estate space outside the United States, according to data released by the US Green Building Council and GBCI. The ranking reflects India's growing focus on sustainability, with around 16 million gross square metres of certified space. Globally, over 7,500 LEED-certified commercial projects were recorded last year. India's performance was driven mainly by higher adoption of LEED for Operations and Maintenance, indicating a shift towards improving energy efficiency in existing buildings across multiple real estate segments.
India has emerged as the second-largest market globally, after Mainland China, for LEED-certified real estate spaces outside the United States, reflecting the growing focus on sustainable construction and operations across the country. Data released by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) places India just behind China in terms of total certified built-up area recorded last year. Advertisement
USGBC, which develops the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, along with Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), released its annual list of the top 10 countries and regions outside the United States for LEED adoption. While the US continued to lead globally with over 50 million gross square metres of LEED-certified space, Mainland China secured the top position outside the US, followed by India. Vietnam entered the top 10 list for the first time, indicating wider adoption across emerging markets.
Globally, LEED certification continued to expand, with more than 7,500 commercial projects certified during the year, covering over 147 million gross square metres of space. A notable trend during the year was the increased uptake of LEED for Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M), highlighting a shift towards improving energy efficiency and operational performance in existing buildings rather than focusing only on new developments.
India's rise to second place was largely driven by this growing preference for LEED O+M certifications. The country recorded higher certification activity in operational buildings compared to new construction and interior projects, signalling that asset owners and occupiers are prioritising long-term efficiency, cost control, and performance optimisation.
In terms of total certified area, Mainland China reported more than 26 million gross square metres of LEED-certified space, while India accounted for around 16 million gross square metres. This gap reflects China's early and large-scale adoption, though India's momentum has remained steady in recent years.
The Indian real estate market continues to expand rapidly, with sustainability standards now extending beyond office developments. New projects across industrial manufacturing, warehousing, hospitality, retail, and educational institutions are increasingly adopting LEED norms, underlining the broader acceptance of green building practices across asset classes.
Source PTI
FAQ
Q1. What is India's global position in LEED-certified real estate space?
India has ranked second globally, after Mainland China, for LEED-certified real estate space outside the United States. The ranking, released by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), reflects India's steady progress in adopting globally recognised sustainability standards across its real estate sector. It also indicates growing awareness among developers, occupiers and investors about environmentally responsible building practices.
Q2. How much LEED-certified space does India currently have?
India accounts for around 16 million gross square metres of LEED-certified real estate space. Although this is lower than Mainland China's certified area of over 26 million gross square metres, the figure highlights consistent growth in certification activity. India's performance shows that sustainability adoption is no longer limited to select premium projects but is becoming mainstream across major urban markets.
Q3. What global trends were observed in LEED certification last year?
Globally, more than 7,500 commercial projects received LEED certification during the year, covering over 147 million gross square metres of built-up area. A notable trend was the increasing preference for certifying existing buildings under LEED for Operations and Maintenance, reflecting a shift toward improving energy efficiency, water usage, and operational performance of already-occupied assets.
Q4. What drove India's rise in LEED rankings?
India's strong ranking was largely driven by higher adoption of LEED for Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M). Building owners and occupiers are increasingly focusing on upgrading existing assets to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and meet sustainability commitments. This shift suggests a maturing market where long-term asset performance is prioritised over only new green construction.
Q5. Which real estate segments in India are adopting LEED standards?
While office buildings continue to account for a significant share of LEED-certified space, adoption is expanding across other segments such as industrial manufacturing units, warehousing and logistics facilities, hospitality projects, retail spaces, and educational institutions. This broader uptake highlights the growing relevance of sustainability across diverse real estate asset classes.
Q6. What does this ranking indicate for India's real estate market going forward?
India's position as the second-largest LEED market outside the US indicates a clear shift toward sustainable development and operations. Continued adoption of green standards is expected to support lower lifecycle costs, improved asset value, better tenant demand, and stronger alignment with global environmental, social and governance expectations in the real estate sector.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
