RabindraNovember 20, 2024: – CII – IGBC, Annual 22nd edition of the GREEN BUILDING CONGRESS 2024, Asia’s largest conference & expo on green built environment, that promotes sustainable building practices and technologies concluded in Bengaluru last week. The Green Building Congress called for further policy reforms to achieve India’s goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030, including universal net metering, removing solar capacity limits, and reducing wheeling and green tariffs. It also urged updates to building codes to align with green & Net Zero norms, reducing costs for energy and water use. The three-day Conference and Expo brought to fore the progress of sustainable building practice so far in the country. Nationwide there has been the greening of an impressive 12.816 billion square feet of built-up area through 14,680 registered projects adopting IGBC GREEN and Net Zero standards. The impact of these projects goes beyond sustainability to inspire innovation and community development, with over 150 projects already achieving the net–zero status. Among the states in India, Karnataka has been one of the significant contributors to India’s green and net zero building movement. The state boasts a registered green footprint of 1 billion square feet, with more than 1,120 projects aligning with IGBC’s green building standards. Karnataka ranks among the top four states in renewable energy development, with an installed capacity of 22.37 GW as of October 2024. Bengaluru, as the host city of this year’s IGBC Green Building Congress, reinforced its position as a hub for green innovation and sustainability leadership.
This flagship event was the only event supported by WorldGBC in India. 18 Green Building Councils from across the globe supported and shared similar goals to develop a unified strategy to help achieve Net Zero goals and engage stakeholders from the building and construction industry. The event highlighted the critical role of collective action, cross-border partnerships, and shared innovation in delivering impactful solutions to address climate change.
Commenting on the success of the 22nd Green Building Congress, Mr B Thiagarajan, National Chairman, Indian Green Building Council, said, “This year’s Green Building Congress, aimed at advancing green building practices and creating actionable strategies for sustainable urban development. It is a critical step towards achieving the national goal of sustainable growth. By bringing together industry experts, policymakers, and practitioners, the event served as a platform to exchange ideas, showcase innovative solutions, and strengthen collaborative efforts. Over the course of three days, it has played a pivotal role in setting the groundwork for accelerating progress towards greening and ensuring a more sustainable future for India.”
Mr C Shekar Reddy, National Vice Chairman, Indian Green Building Council said, “The Expo at Green Building Congress 2024, featured 150 exhibitors showcasing advanced Net Zero products and technologies, has witnessed 7,000+ visitors that raised awareness and built confidence among stakeholders to embrace Net Zero solutions. I urge all industry associations in the building and construction sector—CREDAI, NAREDCO, BAI, IIA, ICI, IIID, ISHRAE, and others—to collaborate and work towards the shared vision of a green and sustainable future for India, paving the way for a Net Zero nation.”
Speaking about the event, Dr Chandrashekar Hariharan, Chairman, IGBC Bangalore Chapter said, “The Green Building Congress that returned to Bengaluru after 18 years, has been a milestone in shaping India’s sustainability journey. The future of urban development lies not just in constructing buildings, but in creating spaces that are resilient, sustainable, and integrated with nature. This event exemplifies our collective determination to drive sustainable development and make net zero a reality.”
Commenting on the Green Building Congress, Ar Anup Naik, Co-Chair IGBC Bangalore Chapter said, “At a time when our cities are expanding at an unprecedented rate, the opportunity to build with purpose has never been more critical. Green building is not just a trend—it’s a necessity, one that requires us to rethink how we design, build, and live in our urban spaces. By embracing sustainability at every level, from materials to energy, we not only enhance the quality of life today but also lay the foundation for a thriving tomorrow.”
The third day of the Green Building Congress convened experts, policymakers, and innovators to spotlight pathways for achieving a sustainable, net–zero future. Through the day, speakers emphasized that achieving net–zero goals requires robust policy frameworks and regulatory support. Sessions like “Renewables for Buildings and Built Environment” and “Enabling Policies and Regulations for Achieving Net Zero” explored how government initiatives, public-private partnerships, and financial incentives can accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices.
Larsen & Toubro’s Chennai Technology Centre – 4 made history at the Green Building Congress by becoming the first to receive the IGBC Net Zero (Design) Certification for Net Zero Energy, Carbon, Near Net Zero Water, and Zero Waste to Landfill. The Green Building Congress 2024 also featured IGBC Green Your School Competition with an overwhelming response of 400+ Schools across the country along with IGBC Green Design Competition, themed “Vibrant Urban Voids: Endless Possibilities,” encouraging students to transform neglected urban spaces into vibrant public areas. The Green Building Congress felicitated IGBC Green Champions, IGBC Performance Challenge Award, IGBC Senior Fellow and IGBC Fellow Awards. These are leading organizations who have delivered outstanding results in the area of GREEN BUILDINGS. This is one of the highest honours bestowed by IGBC upon the leaders of the green building movement in India. IGBC also felicitated 21 winners of the IGBC Performance Challenge Award for Green Buildings & Built Environment 2024. This award is given to IGBC certified green building projects which continue to maintain the facility as green. Also, CII IGBC bestowed 6 IGBC Senior Fellows and 23 IGB Fellows awards to corporate leaders who are playing an important role in leading the NET ZERO and Green Buildings movement in India.
An important aspect of this event was the EXPO where visitors could pick and choose to get the touch and feel of green products and technologies for their homes, offices, and buildings. This year’s Green Building Congress showcased 1,000 green building products and technologies, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate and innovate towards a more sustainable future for the city.
The Green Building Congress brought together a diverse group of attendees, including architects and designers, builders and developers, corporate and academia, representatives from the government and international agencies and green product manufacturers.
CII IGBC’s Mission on Net Zero envisions all green field projects should go net zero carbon by 2030, and both green and brown field projects should go net zero by 2050. Its Net Zero Carbon Rating System promotes the use of low-embodied carbon materials and technologies and on-site or off-site renewable energy sources, and adherence to a Whole Building Life Cycle Analysis. The rating system addresses projects in both ‘Design & Construction’ and ‘Operations’ phases. This approach allows tailored strategies for minimising or eliminating carbon emissions at different project stages.
