14^th GRIHA Summit Updates

Newsletter

At the onset, GRIHA Council wishes all its patrons and their dear ones a very happy new year 2023, filled with abundance, joy and prosperity.

The 14th GRIHA Summit concluded in December 2022, and here’s a brief summarization of what comprised the 2-day event.

14th GRIHA Summit: Towards Net Positive Habitats

Inaugural, Rating Awards of 5-star Rated projects & Launch of “Shashwat – Let Nature Be”

To set the stage for the 14th annual GRIHA Summit that was scheduled on 15th – 16th December 2022, an inaugural was organized on 14th December 2022 at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. The welcome address was delivered by Mr. Sanjay Seth, Vice President & CEO, GRIHA Council and Senior Director, Sustainable Habitat Programme, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The occasion was graced by H.E. Mr. Freddy Svane, Ambassador, Royal Danish Embassy, New Delhi who delivered the Inaugural Address. He commended GRIHA for its tireless efforts towards establishing sustainable habitats and emphasized on the next course of action which is to focus on “green habitants” or towards sustainable behavioral changes. The 9th edition of GRIHA Council’s annual magazine “Shashwat – Let Nature Be” was launched during the Inaugural and all the 5-star rated projects of the current year across all GRIHA rating variants, along with the first GRIHA Water Positive Certification project were awarded their rating plaques, followed by the vote of thanks by Ms. Shabnam Bassi, Deputy CEO, Secretary & Treasurer, GRIHA Council.

Opening Session, Rating Awards of 4-star Rated projects & Launch of JAN GRIHA Manual

The summit formally commenced on 15th December 2022 with the ribbon-cutting of the GRIHA exhibition by Ms. Leena Nandan, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India. Dr. Vibha Dhawan, President, GRIHA Council and Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) unfurled the Opening session with her welcome address. Mr. Sonam Wangchuk, Founding Director, Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) shared his experiences and portrayed the image of current scenario of Ladakh due to global warming in his special remarks. Mr. Sharman Joshi, Renowned Indian Film Actor in his special address his experience of constructing his house using sustainable building materials, with Bamboo being the focus of attention. Mr. Shailesh Ranjan, Head – Business Planning, Operations & Technical, Asahi India Glass Ltd (AIS) in his special remarks mentioned about the sustainable products AIS is working around. Ms. Leena Nandan graced the occasion with her Keynote Address, beautifully stitching up the different aspects of sustainability in the built environment. The JAN (Jan Awas Nirman) GRIHA Certification manual was also launched during the session by our honourable dignitaries and all the 4-star rated projects of the current year across all GRIHA rating variants were awarded their rating plaques. Mr. Sanjay Seth concluded the session with his vote of thanks.

Valedictory Session and Rating Awards of 3-star Rated projects

The opening address by Dr. Vibha Dhawan set the tone for the Valedictory Session that was held on 16th December 2022. Mr. Arvind Subramanian, Managing Director & CEO, Mahindra Lifespaces and Mr. Manoj K Rustagi, Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer, JSW Cement delivered their special addresses. H.E. Dr. Ralf Heckner, Ambassador, Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi, India delivered the Valedictory address. All the 3-star rated projects of the current year across all GRIHA rating variants, GRIHA exemplary awards and a 2000-Smart-Cities-Association project were awarded their rating plaques. Mr. Sanjay Seth brought the curtains down on the 14th GRIHA Summit with his Vote of Thanks.

Signing of MoUs

GRIHA has developed long-standing associations with multiple stakeholders working towards the common goal of implementing sustainable and low carbon footprint buildings over the years. This year two Memorandums of Understanding were signed during the Valedictory, one with Life Insurance Corporation of India and the other with 2000-Watts-Smart-Cities Association to promote sustainable habitats.

MoU with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

MoU with 2000-Watt Smart Cities Association

Plenary Tracks & Thematic Tracks

The theme of the summit aimed at reversing the effects of human activities on the environment by reducing emissions and focus on the biodiversity affected on the journey of economic development. There were 5 Plenary tracks and 12 Thematic tracks that aimed at creating a roadmap for ‘Net Zero Habitats’ for India as a developing nation. All the sessions saw some thought-provoking presentations and talks by the eminent speakers and rippled conversation-stirring interactions between the delegates and the speakers.

From reviewing alternative technologies in terms of their feasibility and applicability to adopting behavioral changes, sessions aimed at focusing on transformational action to reduce emissions and avoid the breaching of dangerous temperature thresholds and potential irreversible tipping points. The synergy the vernacular and modern practices of built environments to achieve the targets of carbon free and net zero buildings were deliberated upon. Experts from different industries were brought together to deliberate on ways to reduce carbon emissions, increase carbon sequestration and take the net positive habitat movement to the general masses.

The sessions saw an interesting mix of topics from different industries, which was the aim of the summit to break sectoral silos and forge cross-sectoral partnerships, which in true sense, will be the step Towards Net Positive Habitats.

An overview of the tracks can be found in our website. Details of all the sessions shall be shortly updated in the following link https://www.grihaindia.org/grihasummit/

Preludes

As a lineup to the main event, a series of events were hosted. A Nukkad Natak competition was organized to involve children, who are the future decision-makers and consumers of services, to spread awareness and instill environmental consciousness in them from a young age. The winners of this competition were felicitated on 16th December 2022 and given an opportunity to perform in front of the dignitaries to further encourage them.

Other events were of technical nature, which were organized in collaboration, one with USGKnauf and the other with One Click LCA. A site visit to a GRIHA registered project - Atal Akshaya Urja Bhawan, New Delhi - was also arranged to give the participants a live understanding of upcoming green buildings.

Cultural Evening

The event concluded with a cultural evening that showcased performances of amalgamation of various Indian contemporary and transcultural forms.

GRIHA Council extends its wholehearted gratitude to all our sponsors and event partners for their continued support.

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14th GRIHA Summit Updates

14^th GRIHA Summit Updates