Agenda

• Lighting the Lamp
• Welcome Remarks – Mr. Sanjay Seth, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, GRIHA Council and Senior Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Programme, TERI
• Opening Address – Dr. Vibha Dhawan, President, GRIHA Council and Director General, TERI
• Special Remarks - Smt. Nidhi Pandey*, IIS, Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
• Special Address – Shri. Prashant Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India
• Special Address – H.E. Ms. May-Elin Stener*, Ambassador, The Royal Norwegian Embassy
• Launch of GRIHA Publications
• GRIHA Felicitation Ceremony
• Inaugural Address – Shri. Prem Singh Tamang*, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Sikkim
• Vote of Thanks – Ms. Shabnam Bassi, Deputy CEO & Secretary-cum-Treasurer, GRIHA Council and Director, Sustainable Buildings, TERI
• GRIHA Updates (Video)

Calamities and disasters have become increasingly frequent due to the irreversible environmental impacts caused by human activities. In 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report aptly termed as “Code Red for Humanity”, was a clarion call for urgent action to avert future human-induced catastrophes.

Policies have driven climate action by setting regulations and targets, hence accelerating the transition to a low-carbon development. The Paris Agreement is a key standpoint for climate policies that has driven dialogues and actions to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels; which, in turn, encourages nations to set and meet their own greenhouse gas reduction targets, fostering international cooperation and accountability.

Countries have made conversation-stirring, buzz-creating commitments at global platforms to limit their impact on the environment. However, there are gaps between policies and its full-scale enforcement. This session will examine the impact of existing policies, the challenges faced, and how disaster-struck areas can rebuild resilience, while also exploring strategies to advance climate action in the built environment with policies as a key driver. We are standing on the brink of a climate crisis. A lot has been spoken about ‘To do’s and ‘Not to do’s at various forums and platforms. The time to ‘Act’ is now and here.

• Ms. Bhargavi Rao, Partner, ILK Labs
• Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Adviser and Distinguished Visiting Professor, Centre of Excellence in Disaster Mitigation & Management, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee
• Dr. Debolina Kundu, Director (Additional Charge), National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)
• Mr. Chandra Bhushan, President & CEO, International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST)
• Mr. Krishna S. Vatsa*, Member, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Climate change is upon us, and its escalating impacts are manifesting in the form of unprecedented heat waves sweeping across the globe. Following record-breaking global temperatures in 2024, India faced severe heat waves, with temperatures exceeding 46 degrees Celsius. Rapid urbanization exacerbates the issue of Urban Heat Island – a phenomenon characterized by fewer green spaces, high population density, limited access to cooling, and dense building concentration, that render urban areas significantly warmer than their rural counterparts. Therefore, it becomes crucial to take urgent mitigative measures to address the cause and effect of warmer temperatures.

The session intends to discuss the need for a comprehensive and transformational strategy to cool our cities through planning and design interventions, incorporating cool roof materials and technologies etc. in the built environment.

• Prof. Manju Mohan, Head, Centre for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS), Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
• Prof. Vishal Garg, Dean of Research, Plaksha University
• Ms. Aarti Nain, Advisor, Urban Cooling and Heat Risk Mitigation, UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Dr. Anita Gupta, Head, Climate, Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India

Nature provides a functional ecosystem where all species of Earth use natural solutions to create resilient habitats. However, the tyranny of modern human development has largely focused on drawing only visual inspiration from nature, neglecting functional insights. This oversight has led to structures that often lack the balance and durability inherent in natural systems, resulting in the collapse of infrastructure.

This session will delve into how integrating natural elements into structural designs can enhance both aesthetic appeal, durability, resilience, and well-being of occupants; whilst improving operational performance. It will provide insights into the principles of biophilic design, understand its benefits for human well-being, and showcase examples of executed resilient structures that have successfully incorporated these principles.

• Dr. G Shankar, Founder and Chairman, Habitat Technology Group
• Ar. Suhasini Ayer–Guigan, Principal Architect, Auroville Design Consultants
• Ar. Bijoy Ramachandran, Partner, Hundredhands
• Prof. Hina Zia*, Head (Department of Planning) & Professor (Department of Architecture), Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University)
• Ar. Priyanka Khanna*, Founder, 42MM Architects

The rapid growth of the global population and urban migration is driving increased energy demand, intensifying the impacts of climate change. This necessitates a swift transition to sustainable energy solutions. As the global transition to sustainable energy accelerates, the need for affordable, reliable, and low-emission energy sources has become more dire.

This session will explore key drivers of this transition, such as improving energy access, advancing renewable energy technologies, and promoting sectoral electrification. A focus on enhancing local planning and integrating community engagement into decision-making processes is essential for shaping a more sustainable and equitable clean energy landscape. By fostering collaboration across sectors, we can accelerate the adoption of clean energy systems that meet both environmental and societal needs, ensuring a more sustainable future.

"Mata Bhumi Putroham Prithivyah" - “The Earth is My Mother, and I am Her Son" - serves as a strong reminder of our common responsibility to protect our Mother Earth.

Achieving sustainability is not the responsibility of a single entity but a collaborative effort across various sectors, including governments, corporates, academic institutions, civil society, and communities. Each group of stakeholders has a unique role in driving progress toward a more sustainable future. The dichotomy between adaptation and mitigation, which arguably creates uncertainty at the implementation level, is shaped by the role of the actors involved. In this context, the role played, and impact made by stakeholders from various strata of the society and diverse sectors is critical in accelerating climate action within the built environment.

The session intends to understand the defined role, responsibilities and interests of stakeholders in accelerating climate action. It will address the next steps required to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration, for scaling up sustainable initiatives.

• Mr. Anshul Tewari, Founder & CEO, Youth ki Awaz
• Ms. Urmi A Goswami, Assistant Editor, The Economic Times
• Ms. Sukhgeet Kaur*, DDG (Cost) & Adviser (Energy), Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence
• Ms. Raina Singh*, Lead Specialist, Biennial Report on Global Infrastructure Resilience, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
• Ms. Apurba Mitra*, Partner, ESG, KPMG India
• Mr. Rajesh Jha*, Country Environment & Sustainability Manager, ABB India

The production, transportation, and processing of construction materials significantly contribute to high embodied energy consumption and a substantial carbon footprint. There has been a notable shift in the construction market towards alternative materials like fly ash, slag, and GGBS, etc. These materials are not derived from non-depletable sources and will eventually face availability challenges. Research and innovation are crucial to address the challenge of depleting sustainable materials. This involves exploring new alternatives such as bio-based and recycled materials, advanced technologies like self-healing concrete, and applying the principles of the circular economy.

The session aims to deliberate on the challenges associated with current alternative materials and delve into ongoing research on new, sustainable options, ensuring a resilient and forward-thinking approach to construction in the face of resource depletion. By analysing successful case studies, it will also have to focus on the latest research findings on material performance and sustainability.

• Ar. Trupti Doshi, Co – Founder, The Auroma Group
• Dr. Andrew Minson*, Concrete and Sustainable Construction Director, Global Cement and Concrete Association
• Dr. Sunita Purushottam, Head of Sustainability, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd.
• Mr. Jaxay Shah*, Chairperson, Quality Council of India (QCI)

Resilience in the context of the built environment goes beyond mere structural durability and integrates social and economic dimensions. It reflects the ability of infrastructures and communities to endure, adapt, and recover from adverse environmental, economic, or social impacts. Marginalized and local communities are disproportionately affected by climate change facing challenges such as health hazards, loss of property, unemployment, migration etc. In these dire circumstances, community-based adaptation strategies rooted in local knowledge, experiences, participation are paramount. It is imperative` to ensure the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives of the local communities in climate policies, solutions and infrastructure development.

The session aims to explore the challenges confronting vulnerable communities while providing actionable strategies to foster equity and resource accessibility, thereby enabling a just and resilient transition for the vulnerable communities. The discussion will also dwell on locally led adaptation.

• Mr. Amir Bazaz*, Head, Infrastructure and Climate, Indian Institute for Human Settlements
• Mr. Mohak Gupta, Assistant Program Director - Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency, Development Alternatives
• Ms. Zerin Osho, Director of the India Program, Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD)
• Ms. Nidhi Anand, Head of Programmes, People's Power Collective
• Mr. Jay Rajesh Thakkar, Associate Professor, Faculty of Design and Head of Exhibition, CEPT University

Green economy represents a low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive development. With a focus on access to green finance, technology and investments, it advocates for a macro-economic approach towards sustainable economic growth. It is driven by government, public and private investment such as carbon credit schemes, green bonds, green credit programmes, tax rebates and incentives on green buildings etc. These green investments are enabled and supported through policy reforms and regulatory changes, aiding in building assets (economic growth and infrastructure) that promote reduced carbon emissions through carbon offsetting, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and preserve ecosystem services.

The session seeks to explore such green incentives and financial mechanisms available to diverse stakeholder groups, gain insights into the benefits it offers and its potential impact on the overarching goal of developing a sustainable green economy. The discussion will also highlight the challenges in implementing such frameworks while ensuring transparency and accountability. It will also discuss strategies to raise awareness on these incentives for accelerating the transition to sustainable practices.

• Mr. Saurabh Diddi, Director, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Government of India
• Ms. Neha Khanna, Senior Manager, Climate Finance, Climate Policy Initiative
• Ms. Rachika Sahay, Partner, Argus Partners
• Mr. Jasmeet Singh Bajaj, Founder & Director, Fair Climate Fund
• Mr. Sandeep Sonigra, Managing Director, Orange County Group
• Mr. Satya Pal Singh*, General Manager – Environment, M3M India Private Limited

Existing buildings tend to have a higher operational carbon footprint due to the structures being developed before contemporary energy efficiency standards were implemented. These systems often consume excessive energy, as they were not designed to meet the demands of today’s occupants or climate conditions.

Retrofitting of this exiting stock of buildings becomes imperative and a pivotal strategy for reducing the operational carbon emissions from this ensemble of structures. Common upgradation strategies for effective retrofitting include enhancing insulation, upgrading to energy-efficient windows and HVAC systems, integrating renewable energy, upgrading to low-flow fixtures, etc. By fostering a collaborative dialogue, this session aims to equip attendees with actionable knowledge and tools to transform existing buildings into resilient, energy-efficient spaces that contribute to a sustainable future.

• Mr. Sudheer Perla, Managing Director, Asia, Tabreed and Member, Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE)
• Mr. Aneesh Kadyan, Senior Executive Director, Property Management, Global Commercial Real Estate Services (CBRE)
• Ar. Shamit Manchanda, Founding Partner & Principal Architect, Manchanda Associates
• Ms. Nandita Bhatt, Executive Director (Planning), Airport Authority of India (AAI)
• Mr. Arun Tripathi*, Scientist G, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India
• Mr. Utsav Shah*, Ducon Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Sustainable infrastructure development focuses on creating systems and facilities designed to reduce environmental impact, optimize resource efficiency, integrate technology, and promote social equity. This ensures resilience against climate change by building infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events and adapting to shifting environmental conditions. It also emphasizes community engagement, ensuring that local needs and perspectives are incorporated into planning and decision-making processes.

Given the urgent need to rethink traditional infrastructure considering climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity, it is essential to leverage the transformative potential of smart technologies. These innovations enhance precision, efficiency, and safety while ensuring accessibility and affordability. By fostering dialogue among architects, urban planners, policymakers, and community leaders, this session aims to generate actionable insights and collaborative strategies for creating ecological balance; and fostering economic growth and social well-being, ultimately contributing to the creation of livable, equitable, and thriving communities.

• Ms. Parul Agarwala, Country Programme Manager, India at UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)
• Mr. Sanjay Kumar Mishra*, Deputy Secretary (Smart Cities), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India
• Mr. Hemant Bherwani, Senior Scientist, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)
• Ms. Hari Chandana Dasari, IAS, Special Secretary to Government, Roads and Buildings Department, Government of Telangana
• Mr. Rajendra Ratnoo, IAS, Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)

• Welcome Address – Mr. Sanjay Seth, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, GRIHA Council and Senior Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Programme, TERI
• Opening Remarks – Dr. Vibha Dhawan, President, GRIHA Council and Director General, TERI
• Special Address – Shri. Katikithala Srinivas*, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India
• Valedictory – Shri. Sarbananda Sonowal*, Minister, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India
• Felicitation Ceremony:
  • Award of GRIHA Ratings
  • GRIHA Exemplary Awards
  • GRIHA Design Competition Award
• Vote of Thanks – Ms. Shabnam Bassi, Deputy CEO-cum-Secretary & Treasurer, GRIHA Council & Director, Sustainable Buildings, TERI