Friends, as we embark into the new year, 2024, filled with optimism and renewed resolve to advance sustainability, I extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to each one of you.

Last year was a significant year for the nation both at national and international levels. The Government of India launched the Green Credit Initiative in the recently concluded UNFCCC COP 28 held in Dubai, UAE. Based on the vision of Mission LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment), the Green Credit initiative intends to encourage voluntary eco-friendly and sustainable actions that will result in issuance of green credits. India also successfully hosted the 18th G20 Summit under its Presidency and unanimously gained positive response from global leaders of world’s greatest economies on the New Delhi Leader’s Declaration. India marked monumental achievements on various other fronts including space, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, science and technology, circular economy, sustainable development etc.

For GRIHA Council, we successfully hosted the annual 15th GRIHA Summit in New Delhi, centred around the theme "Empowering Sustainable and Resilient Communities”. Aligned with the theme, the Summit witnessed deliberations on various aspects of sustainable development and role of empowered communities in sustainability. During the Summit, new publications were released which includes- GRIHA for Interior Spaces, 10th Edition of annual Shashwat Magazine, GRIHA for Existing Schools Manual V3 and GRIHA ’50 Stories- Case Studies’.

Addressing the importance of interior spaces in energy efficiency and occupant well-being GRIHA for Interior Spaces has been developed as a specialized ratings for building interiors. It endorses eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient designs, and innovative sustainability measures, significantly contributing to India's broader green building efforts.

The 10th edition of Shashwat Magazine- ‘Let Nature Be’ was also released during the Summit based on this year’s theme- Empowering Sustainable and Resilient Communities. It encompasses articles, interviews, and testimonials from experts with diverse background s who have significantly contributed to new areas of research in the domain of Sustainability. The GRIHA for Existing Schools Manual V3 is an extension to the innovative GRIHA for Existing Schools rating variant wherein the technical jargons of green building rating have been translated into easy, comprehensible language making it a fun learning interactive and hands-on experience for students and teachers. Based on this rating manual, GRIHA Council will be evaluating 386 Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti schools across India, under which 300 schools are PM Shri Schools-PM Schools for Rising India which will be evaluated for green schools.

Last but not the least, GRIHA ’50 Stories- Case Studies’ book was released that showcases case studies of top-rated, newly constructed projects of GRIHA, SVAGRIHA, Affordable Housing and Large Development ratings across diverse climatic zones of India. It provides comprehensive insights into the initiatives undertaken by the projects to minimize carbon footprint and ecological impact in the built environment.

In the domain of capacity building and outreach, apart from the extensive training programmes on GRIHA rating variants, last year we introduced a new, in-demand and highly relevant training initiative focused on the critical aspects of sustainability-ESG and Corporate Sustainability for professionals in the corporate sector. Based on the positive feedback received, we are currently in the process of planning and scheduling the next version of the training programme, lined up to commence this year.

Another addition to this vertical is GRIHA Green Tour series which was launched last year and is a year-long programme. The participants are taken on site visits to GRIHA registered or rated projects and apprised with the concepts of green building incorporated in the project. So far, we have successfully conducted green tours of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad campus, Bangalore International Centre, Bengaluru & Bestech House, Gurugram. Stay connected for more information on upcoming site visits that will be conducted throughout the year.

In this new year 2024, drawing insights from our past experiences, we are determined to stride on the path of sustainability. Let’s reinstate our commitments, foster innovative ideas, and progress collectively towards realizing the shared vision of building a sustainable and resilient future.