India Secures Global Leadership Position
India Emerges as a Green Building Powerhouse in 2025: India ranked second globally outside the United States in total LEED-certified building space in 2025. The ranking was released by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the global authority behind LEED ratings.
India recorded nearly 16 million gross square meters (GSM) of certified green building space. This achievement positions India among the fastest-growing sustainable real estate markets worldwide.
Static GK fact: The United States remains the global leader in LEED-certified space, while China ranked ahead of India among non-US countries.
Milestone Year for Global Green Construction
In 2025, more than 7,500 commercial projects worldwide received LEED certification. These projects collectively covered around 147 million GSM of certified space.
This surge indicates a structural shift in global construction practices. Developers increasingly integrate energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and sustainable materials into mainstream real estate projects.
Static GK Tip: LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a globally recognized green building rating system.
India’s Expanding Green Footprint
India’s performance reflects deeper alignment with climate action commitments and sustainable urban planning. Green certification is no longer confined to premium corporate office spaces.
Industrial facilities, warehousing hubs, hospitality projects, retail centres, and educational institutions now actively pursue LEED ratings. This sectoral diversification shows that sustainability has become a core investment strategy.
Static GK fact: India is a signatory to the Paris Agreement (2015), committing to reduce emissions intensity and promote sustainable development.
Rise of LEED Operations and Maintenance
A key trend driving India’s rise is the growth of LEED Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M) certifications. Unlike new construction ratings, LEED O+M focuses on improving the environmental performance of existing buildings.
This includes energy conservation, water efficiency, waste management, and lower carbon emissions. The emphasis on retrofitting signals a shift from one-time certification to continuous sustainability compliance.
This approach strengthens long-term operational efficiency and enhances asset valuation in competitive real estate markets.
Why LEED Certification Matters
LEED certification evaluates projects across parameters such as energy performance, water usage, indoor environmental quality, sustainable materials, and innovation in design.
Green-certified buildings generally report lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact. They also improve occupant health and productivity, which makes them attractive to multinational corporations and institutional investors.
The ranking confirms that green real estate is no longer a niche trend in India. It is becoming central to the country’s urban transformation and infrastructure modernization strategy.
Static GK Tip: The concept of sustainable development was globally emphasized during the Rio Earth Summit (1992), which laid the foundation for modern environmental governance.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
India Emerges as a Green Building Powerhouse in 2025:
| Topic | Detail |
| Global Ranking 2025 | India ranked second outside the United States in LEED-certified space |
| Certified Area | 16 million gross square meters |
| Global Projects Certified | Over 7,500 projects in 2025 |
| Total Global Certified Space | 147 million GSM |
| Leading Organization | US Green Building Council |
| Key Certification Trend | Growth in LEED Operations and Maintenance |
| Major Competitor | China ranked ahead among non-US nations |
| Global Leader | United States leads overall LEED rankings |
