Sustainable Building Standards
JGU builds to sustainable standards and keeps improving them. New buildings follow the approved building plan and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) norms, and the university is working towards IGBC Green Campus certification for the whole campus.
Building Compliance
JGU's campus was built to comply with the building plan approved by the Department of Town and Country Planning. Excavated soil is reused for backfilling and landscaping, and treated water is used during construction. IGBC norms were followed, and opaque walls in air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned spaces have thermal insulation. Construction uses precast RCC, fly ash bricks and structural steel, which cause less pollution and need less water than conventional construction.
Existing Buildings
The Energy Efficient Band Renovations Policy requires energy-efficiency retrofits of existing buildings, including cool roofs, efficient lighting and HVAC, and sub-metering, and the campus uses 100% LED lighting and rooftop solar generation.
Annual Green Audits
The university reports its progress in energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management and green initiatives, including rainwater harvesting, LED lighting, waste segregation and renewable energy use. The latest green audit report, published in 2024, analysed energy, water, waste management and green initiatives through on-site evaluations, and its recommendations guide further reductions in environmental impact. NAAC-mandated energy, environment and green audits each received a satisfactory assessment.
Sustainable Building Standards Policy
Policy Details
- Policy Name: Sustainable Building Standards Policy
- Year Reviewed: 2026
1. Purpose and Principles
1.1 The policy makes sure that every new building and major renovation reduces its use of energy, water and materials, supports health and comfort, and follows a recognised standard.
1.2 It supports SDG Targets 11.3, 11.6 and 11.b.
2. Scope and Definitions
2.1 The policy covers design, procurement, construction, commissioning and renovation of academic, residential and service buildings.
2.2 A sustainable standard means a national or recognised green building norm, with IGBC as the reference for JGU.
3. Policy Statement
3.1 New buildings comply with the plan approved by the Department of Town and Country Planning and follow IGBC norms.
3.2 Designs use thermal insulation in the envelope, daylight, efficient lighting and HVAC, and provision for rooftop solar.
3.3 Construction favours precast RCC, fly ash bricks and structural steel, reuses excavated soil on site and uses treated water.
3.4 Landscaping uses water-efficient and native planting, and construction avoids loss of trees.
3.5 Building design includes universal access, with ramps, accessible washrooms and elevators with Braille signage.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
4.1 Estates and Projects ensure the design brief and contractors follow the policy.
4.2 The Office of Sustainability reviews designs and verifies compliance.
4.3 Contractors comply with specifications and report materials and water use.
5. Procedure
5.1 The design brief states the standard to be followed. The Office of Sustainability reviews the design before approval and the building after completion.
5.2 Site selection follows the Brownfield Development Policy.
5.3 Energy and water use are sub-metered after completion.
6. Existing Buildings
6.1 Existing buildings are retrofitted under the Energy Efficient Band Renovations Policy.
7. Audit and Certification
7.1 The university commissions annual green audits and takes part in the NAAC-mandated energy, environment and green audits.
7.2 The university is working towards IGBC Green Campus certification for the whole campus.
8. Monitoring and Review
8.1 The Office of Sustainability reports on compliance and audit findings each year.
8.2 The policy is reviewed at least once every two years and was last reviewed in 2026.
