Faiza Solanki, a regional technical and business development specialist with the International Finance Corporation, a World Bank Group member, told The Hindu that several banks now offer interest‑rate rebates to developers and homeowners who build green houses, covering both individual residences and commercial projects. She spoke at the CPCL‑The Hindu Sustainability Summit 2026, where a panel on “Real Estate and Sustainability” explored ways to grow the sector without adding environmental debt.
Solanki highlighted the rapid rise in green certification since 2013, noting that even affordable projects such as the Tamil Nadu government’s Thozhi Hostels have received green verification. She said the main obstacle is a lack of awareness about the long‑term benefits. For commercial spaces, resilience to monsoon conditions, reduced labour hours and potential home‑loan reductions can drive interest in green design.
Vishwajit Kumar, managing director of Navin’s Housing, added that many commercial buildings are targeting net‑zero carbon and that tenants are willing to pay a premium for renewable facilities. He contrasted this with residential buyers, who rarely request green features, viewing sustainability as a luxury rather than a necessity. Bharath Kumar Venkatesan of Urbando echoed this sentiment, noting that customers prioritize comfort and convenience over life‑span improvements.
All panelists urged state governments to introduce incentives such as free floor‑space index (FSI) allocations and to run such programmes for a decade to make green construction the norm. They also recalled how traditional village homes used sustainable materials and open courtyards, underscoring the long‑standing heritage of eco‑friendly design. The summit, presented by Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, featured partners including NLC India, Larsen & Toubro, Navin’s, WABAG, Indian Bank, Urbando, State Bank of India, Thermax, Treeni, Chennai Port Authority and the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company.
