CII’s Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) hosted the 19th edition of ‘Green Building Congress’ on 18, 19 & 20 November 2021. The 3-day conference was held virtually on CII HIVE platform. The theme was ‘Net Zero Buildings & Built Environment’.
Delivering the opening address, H.E. Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said: “The COP26 Conference at Glasgow was momentous as it sought to set the world on the path of achieving Net Zero. Over 90% of world’s economies are now covered by Net Zero pledges. The discussion is no longer on ‘if’ but on ‘when’ and ‘how’ countries will achieve Net Zero.”
Also gracing the event was Shri Jayant Sinha, Member of Parliament, Former Minister of State for Finance, and Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Government of India. Sharing his views, he said: “Keeping the 1.5 degrees of global warming within control is vital as warming beyond 1.5 degree would lead to irreversible environmental damages. To achieve India’s commitment to become Net Zero by 2070, we need to make urgent transitional changes in the fuel used for power generation; in fact, power generation should be completely switched to renewable sources. Transportation and all mobility systems must switch over to electric and other low emitting fuels. Green hydrogen for Industrial applications should be encouraged in a large way, and most importantly, carbon pricing and fossil fuel taxing are vital as they will lead to fiscal transition from fossil fuel.”
“Once this market transition takes place on a large scale, Net Zero will actually lead to a Net Positive Impact for India, as a greener India will lead to more job creations and a much higher GDP,” added the Minister.
Jamshyd N Godrej, Past President, CII & Chairman, CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, voicing his appreciation of the event, said: “The Green Building Congress has always been a platform to promote and facilitate the green building movement in the country. Green Buildings are a huge opportunity to slow down a rapidly warming earth. Action by businesses to promote and use green buildings will be a competitive advantage for decades.”
Sharing his views, V Suresh, Chairman IGBC, said: “The Green Building Movement in India is growing from strength to strength. The Green Building Congress 2021 is India’s flagship event on Green Buildings and Green Built Environment. Given the global focus on climate change and India’s commitment at COP26, the theme of the event has been aptly selected to address Net Zero buildings & the built environment.”
The Green Building Congress 2021 featured a 3-day virtual conference and a 30-day online expo that showcases the latest green building technologies, green products, and services. It is supported by WorldGBC and 18 countries through their respective Green Building Councils. Countries include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Chile, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Peru, Philippines, Poland, South Korea Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Uganda, and Vietnam. United Kingdom is the partner country for Green Building Congress 2021, adding further impetus to the Conference.
Green Building Congress saw discussions on an array of subjects on the green built environment by more than 80 eminent speakers, including 20 international speakers, which offered delegates a unique opportunity to learn about international best practices in green buildings.
The virtual expo showcases more than 500 green products and the latest trends and technologies. Delegates can visit the stalls virtually from 18 Nov – 17 Dec 2021 on CII HIVE Platform and learn about the emerging green building products.
Green Building Congress 2021 is supported by media partner MGS Architecture.
To visit the Virtual Expo on Green Building Products & Technologies, log on to www.greenbuildingcongress.com
