India 3rd on List of 'Green Buildings' Countries outside U.S.

WASHINGTON: India has been ranked third on the list of top 10 countries in leadership in energy and environmental design outside America, according to the latest U.S. Green Building Council report.

Canada followed by China occupies the top two slots in the ranking of the top 10 countries for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design outside the U.S.

The report said the list demonstrates the global reach of the movement that is transforming the building environment into healthy, high-performing structures that benefit the planet and its people.

From India ITC Maurya Hotel in New Delhi, built in 1977, Platinum under LEED, was notably mentioned in the report.

"The global community is increasingly recognizing the imperative for action as we combat the extraordinary challenge of worldwide climate change," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of USGBC.

"LEED's success across a wide variety of cultures, climates and communities represents not only a growing recognition of its demonstrated benefits for human health and operational cost savings, but also its unparalleled potential to be part of the solution to a warming planet and rising sea levels," he said.

The ranking of the top 10 countries for LEED outside the US is based on cumulative gross square meters of space certified to LEED in each nation as of April 2014, a statement said.