Is Green Certified the Same as Green Built?

As the construction industry moves toward sustainability, material selection plays a crucial role in shaping a greener future. While certifications and regulations provide important benchmarks, they don’t always capture the full picture of a material’s environmental impact.

Steel, for instance, is durable, endlessly recyclable, and can be well-suited for Net Zero buildings; yet its advantages are often overlooked in green building frameworks. Advancing sustainable construction requires a broader assessment approach.

SSMB dives into the conversation with industry experts to understand where certification requirements and real-world construction practices align and where they don’t. The aim is to uncover gaps in material assessments, lifecycle considerations, and on-site implementation, especially when it comes to materials like steel.

Beyond the Label
When asked what makes construction sustainable, Kalyan Chakrawarthy, Associate Vice President, Phoenix Group, shares a valuable perspective, “There are two important things to consider when talking about sustainability in construction. First, the whole idea is to use resources efficiently, whether materials or manpower, without wasting them. The goal is to make sure resources are available for their intended purpose rather than being used unnecessarily.”

He adds that a truly sustainable solution is one that maximises efficiency at every stage. When it comes to steel structures and green buildings, this has been a key point in many discussions.

Steel contributes significantly to this cause from a design perspective in multiple ways. According to Gokulamurali KN, Regional Head, Edifice Consultants Pvt Ltd, “Its strength-to-weight ratio leads to more efficient use of materials, reducing the overall environmental impact. Steel is durable, with a long lifespan that minimises the need for repairs and replacements. It is recyclable and promotes the circular economy by enabling the reuse of materials. Steel can be used in energy-efficient designs, helping to create low-energy, high-performance buildings. The modular and prefabricated nature of steel components reduces construction waste and time.”

By incorporating steel effectively into building designs, architects and designers can meet both sustainability and performance goals, pushing buildings closer to achieving Net Zero and carbon-neutral objectives.

Rahul Bahl, Managing Director, Krishna Buildestates Pvt Ltd, shares a similar opinion, “It can be reused indefinitely without degrading, reducing construction waste and minimising environmental impact. Additionally, advancements in prefabrication and modular steel structures help optimise material use, cut down on-site waste, and lower overall carbon footprints.”

Another major advantage is the ability to create large, open spaces. Priya Daniel, Founder and Principal Architect, Five Scale Design, adds, “Steel makes it possible to design column-free structures, offering way more flexibility in how spaces are used. Plus, it is extremely durable; steel buildings can last for centuries, cutting down on the need for frequent renovations or rebuilds. That resilience is why steel is often used in areas prone to natural disasters and extreme conditions, ensuring long-term sustainability.”

Adding to this, Dr Ponni Concessao, Co-founder and Principal Architect, Oscar, Ponni & Rahul Architects, shares her experience, “After graduating from Cornell University, I worked on steel buildings in the US. In my opinion, steel construction is quick, efficient, and highly sustainable since old steel from buildings can always be recycled. While you may not achieve 100 per cent efficiency in recycling, it is still a more sustainable option overall. When I moved to India, I had to adapt to reinforced concrete (RC) construction, as it was the predominant method. However, after nearly 30 years in practice, I see a shift.”

The common denominator across all the views has been steel’s recyclability, Chakrawarthy emphasises, “It is 98 per cent recyclable. That means nearly all of it can be reused in different forms, with only about 2 per cent going to waste. This aligns with the concept of a circular economy, which is widely followed in Europe but not yet mandatory in India. However, it’s only a matter of time before similar regulations come here, requiring projects to consider material reuse. From that perspective, steel is one of the most sustainable building materials out there.”

The scenario is changing. Clients are increasingly opting for steel construction for two key reasons. First, its faster turnaround time accelerates project completion, ensuring a quicker return on investment (ROI). Second, India previously had a shortage of experienced steel consultants and structural engineers, leading reinforced concrete (RC) specialists to discourage its use.

Dr Concessao highlights, “When I first arrived in India 30 years ago, steel was largely an unknown factor, especially in Chennai. But today, due to its ROI benefits and sustainability, steel is steadily gaining acceptance as a core construction material. That said, I would like to see this shift happen at a faster pace. One of the challenges, particularly in South India, is the limited number of contractors and consultants well-versed in steel construction. This has slowed both adoption and execution.”

A challenge that Chakrawarthy points out is while steel is highly recyclable, its production does have a higher carbon footprint compared to some other materials. “But once it’s manufactured, he adds, “it can be reused over and over without losing its properties. Sustainability is also about how long a material lasts and how many times it can be repurposed. Unlike concrete, which often ends up as waste, steel remains useful throughout its lifecycle.”

An important factor is how well steel works with other materials. Priya Daniel adds, “It can be combined with sustainable materials to create hybrid solutions, leading to even more innovative and efficient designs. On top of that, steel’s prefabrication capabilities make construction much more efficient. Since most of the fabrication happens off-site, there is less waste on-site, and the overall building process moves faster. This helps shorten project timelines, making steel a smart choice.”

She states that as steel production processes continue to evolve towards lower carbon footprints, the role of steel in green building design will only become more central to creating sustainable and resilient built environments.

Certification vs Reality
Steel provides several advantages that support sustainable construction, but whether current sustainability certifications and standards fully account for these benefits remains a consideration. And the extent to which certification requirements align with real-world practices also continues to be an area of discussion.

Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI) administers the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in India, providing a comprehensive framework for evaluating sustainable building practices. LEED v4.1, emphasises a holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing materials and resources, energy efficiency, and environmental impact.

Steel aligns well with these sustainability objectives. P Gopalakrishnan, Managing Director, Southeast Asia and Middle East, GBCI, says, “The LEED framework acknowledges the role of materials like steel in achieving green building goals, particularly through credits related to life cycle assessment and responsible sourcing. However, as the industry evolves, there is an ongoing need to ensure that certification systems fully capture the advancements in steel production and its contributions to sustainable construction.”

Bahl adds, “Certifications tend to prioritise operational efficiency over material lifecycle impacts, making it harder to get credit for materials with long-term sustainability benefits, such as steel. Procuring certified sustainable materials can be difficult and sometimes cost-prohibitive. Some sustainable innovations, such as AI-driven material optimisation, are not yet fully recognised within rating systems, despite their measurable reductions in resource consumption.”

For Concessao’s part, the on-ground reality looks a tad different, “Most of our buildings have been green-certified. We have been fortunate to work with clients who not only talk about sustainability but also implement green measures effectively. However, there are also clients who seek green certification but don’t follow through with execution. We don’t encourage such projects. Either commit fully and implement sustainability measures properly, or don’t pursue certification at all.”

She adds, “Some projects start with a goal of achieving a platinum rating, and clients often realise later that platinum certification is expensive; it requires full solar panels and other advanced sustainability measures.”

Calling a spade a spade, Daniel adds, “Certifications often function as a checklist, which can sometimes lead to greenwashing, where buildings add superficial ‘green’ features just to earn points rather than making a meaningful environmental impact. In some cases, buildings are rewarded for having certain features rather than their actual long-term performance.”

Embodied carbon can account for up to half of a building’s total lifetime emissions. “So, if certifications do not factor that in,” she adds, “they do not fully reflect a building’s true sustainability. Some of these standards were developed years ago, and while newer ones have improved, many widely used certifications have not kept pace with the latest sustainability concepts. They also do not always consider the broader social or community impact of a project.”

Concessao also cautions against directly comparing India to Western countries, “In India, everything is a function of time. New ideas aren’t immediately adopted; people observe how others implement them before they follow suit. There is often a herd mentality when it comes to innovation.”

Using steel structures in a building can help achieve LEED and IGBC credits, especially under categories like Materials and Resources, Energy Efficiency, and Indoor Environmental Quality, but it depends on how steel is integrated and its overall sustainability. Gokulamurali states, “Steel is highly recyclable, durable, and can contribute to energy efficiency, all of which are valued by green building certifications. Therefore, it can definitely help a project earn more points, but it is the specific design and implementation strategies that determine the actual impact on the green building rating.”

To truly address these challenges, it is important to stay updated on evolving sustainability standards and focus on long-term impact rather than just achieving certifications. As the industry moves toward decarbonisation, both certification frameworks and building designs will need to adapt to genuinely impactful green measures.

Steel vs Other Materials: What’s the Best Path to Net Zero?

Closing the Gap
To enhance the evaluation of steel within India’s sustainability certifications, several measures should be adopted. Gopalakrishnan suggests incorporating advanced Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), “Mandate detailed LCAs that consider the entire lifespan of steel products, from raw material extraction through production, use, and end-of-life recycling. This comprehensive approach would highlight steel’s recyclability and its reduced embodied energy over time.”

India’s steel ministry has introduced a classification system for ‘green steel,’ defining categories based on carbon emissions per metric tonne of production. For instance, steel produced with emissions below 1.6 tonne per tonne is classified as ‘five-star green-rated steel.’ Integrating these classifications into sustainability frameworks would encourage the use of low-emission steel in construction projects.

He also adds that as industries innovate, sustainability frameworks must periodically revise material credits to reflect current best practices and technological advancements, ensuring materials like steel are evaluated based on their latest environmental performance.

Daniel further adds, “When it comes to steel, I think it is crucial to develop a uniform, low-emission or sustainable steel standard. This would help reduce uncertainty and build trust across the entire sector. Establishing clear, fixed-system approaches for measuring emissions, ones that account for all emissions within a well-defined boundary, regardless of ownership or production methods, would also be a big step forward.”

Bahl adds that the integration of AI-driven optimisation in steel design is one of the most exciting advancements in sustainable construction. “Recognising its potential,” he says, “KBE has partnered with Vertical Performance Structure, an AI-powered design firm, to develop more efficient and cost-effective steel structures. This collaboration allows us to reduce material usage, lower costs, and enhance structural performance, making steel an even more viable option for sustainable building.

It is recommended to design steel components for easy disassembly and reuse, extending their lifespan, contributing to more sustainable construction. Prefabricated steel elements also improve resource efficiency by reducing material waste and ensuring precise usage. Additionally, advancements in low-carbon steel production, prefabrication, and modular construction are redefining how steel is used in architecture, making the process more efficient and environmentally responsible.

In addition, incorporating multiple assessment methods would allow for a more comprehensive evaluation of circular interventions. Techniques like material flow analysis and LCA are essential for accurately measuring resource efficiency and environmental impact.

Daniel points out promoting responsible sourcing practices is key, “Supply chain transparency plays a huge role in ensuring that steel production remains both environmentally sound and ethically responsible. By implementing these changes, we can create better systems for assessing and incentivising the production of green steel, ultimately leading to a lower environmental footprint.”

A Stronger Standard
Circular economy principles are pivotal in steel-intensive construction, emphasising the continual use and reuse of materials to minimise waste and resource consumption.

Bahl stresses, “Recyclability and circular economy principles should be given greater weight in certification systems. Steel, for instance, offers near-infinite recyclability, yet current frameworks often prioritise operational energy efficiency over embodied carbon reductions. A more balanced approach, considering both initial impact and end-of-life reuse, would create a more holistic sustainability standard.”

Concessao agrees, “It is a fundamental principle of green building certification. Durability and life cycle are crucial, yet people don’t focus on the life cycle aspect as much as they should. During the planning stage, everyone is complacent, but when it’s time for execution, suddenly there’s a rush to incorporate more measures. The same applies to steel; its recyclability is a key factor, and it directly ties into life cycle assessment.”

LCA looks at multiple stages of a product’s life, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to transportation, usage, and eventual disposal. This comprehensive approach provides a much more accurate picture of a product’s true environmental footprint. Prioritising recyclability and LCA would also optimise resource use, reduce waste, and ultimately lead to cost savings while improving sustainability. Encouraging a circular economy is key to this transition.

Daniel states, “The ‘cradle-to-grave’ assessment ensures that sustainability is considered at every step, rather than just focusing on operational efficiency. Transparency in scoring is also essential. Certification programs should clearly communicate how much weight they assign to different sustainability factors.”

Gokulamurali suggests a few ways that green certification criteria can account for this; adding that LEED is regularly updated to stay aligned with advancements in sustainable construction and building technologies. The LEED v4.1 update, for example, introduced changes to better address issues such as climate change, embodied carbon, and material transparency.

Looking ahead, he says, “LEED v5, which is expected in the near future, may focus even more on the life-cycle impacts of building materials, which would directly benefit steel, especially if manufacturers adopt lower-carbon processes and recycling techniques. The ongoing trend of increasing emphasis on embodied carbon and circularity could result in higher points for steel when it’s sourced and used sustainably.”

IGBC also periodically updates its rating systems to reflect emerging trends in sustainability. The IGBC Green New Buildings rating system has undergone several revisions to enhance its focus on energy efficiency, resource optimisation, and carbon reduction.

In the future, IGBC may introduce more credits for sustainable steel practices, such as energy-efficient steel manufacturing or reuse of steel components, aligning with India’s sustainable development goals. It is likely to recognise innovations in steel design that contribute to more resilient and energy-efficient buildings, especially with the growth of modular construction and prefabricated systems.

Gokulamurali shares, “If steel continues to evolve as a more sustainable material, these building systems will likely receive additional recognition in updated point systems. Therefore, as steel becomes more sustainable, buildings using it will likely gain more green points in future certifications. Keeping an eye on updates to LEED and IGBC rating systems will be important to understand exactly how these changes will affect steel’s role in green building certifications.”

Incentivising Innovation
Collaboration among developers, policymakers, and certification bodies is essential for achieving sustainable outcomes.

Chakrawarthy says, “I strongly believe that steel as a construction technology should receive some level of government incentives to encourage wider adoption and bring more players into the market. Other factors, such as improved machinery and better resource management, can also drive greater adaptability within the industry. While financial incentives for steel construction may currently account for only 2-3 per cent of overall government support, the market potential is enormous.” Steel projects are constantly working to meet tight deadlines while managing resource constraints, and many in the industry are striving to overcome these challenges.

Gopalakrishnan insists, “There is a need to develop consensus-driven sustainability standards that are consistently applied across regions, ensuring all stakeholders operate with a common understanding of sustainable practices. Regular dialogues between developers, policymakers, and certification bodies can facilitate the sharing of best practices, address challenges, and align objectives towards common sustainability goals.”

Chakrawarthy goes on to add, “I see a strong trend toward modular construction and standardised approaches, though traditional construction methods don’t always accommodate this shift. Encouraging modular techniques could be one of the most effective ways for the government to support the industry.”

“Additionally, the entire supply chain benefits when steel construction is promoted. As more suppliers enter the market, along with technological advancements and skilled professionals, it strengthens the industry as a whole. A government mandate or broader acceptance of steel construction as a preferred technology could further accelerate this progress.”

Policymakers can encourage sustainable construction by offering incentives such as tax benefits, grants, or expedited permitting for projects that meet or exceed green certification standards. Additionally, collaboration between certification bodies and policymakers can facilitate training programs that equip developers and construction professionals with the expertise needed to implement advanced sustainable building techniques effectively.

Using green hydrogen in steel production can significantly cut down environmental impact. Daniel hails it as a game-changer in decarbonising the industry, “Another important step would be forming a dedicated national team to help agencies implement green steel procurement, making it easier to integrate sustainable practices into large-scale projects.”

She goes on to add, “There’s also a strong case for channeling more R&D funding into electrifying the steelmaking process. At the same time, we need to push for wider adoption of recycled steel in new construction projects. While India is already making strides in this direction, setting clear benchmarks for emission reduction and developing contextual sustainability standards, rather than simply adopting global ones, would be a more effective approach. Given India’s unique climate, resources, and industry dynamics, we need frameworks that reflect local realities rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model.”

Of course, global best practices can serve as inspiration, but true success lies in tailoring solutions to the country’s own context. A well-integrated, holistic design approach will be key to making this shift. Additionally, enhancing energy efficiency across the entire steel production process is critical. Setting performance-based targets with a tiered approach can encourage innovation while ensuring practical implementation.

Weighing recyclability and lifecycle assessment more heavily could certainly push the building industry toward more sustainable practices in a broader sense, encouraging the use of materials with a lower overall environmental impact. It would drive more responsible material choices, push for innovation in recyclability, and help buildings reduce their long-term ecological footprints.

While there are challenges to integrating these factors into green certifications, the long-term benefits for both the industry and the planet could be significant. The green building points system could be enhanced for steel buildings in the near future, especially as sustainability concerns become more prominent.

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