CII-IGBC organises first Green Mumbai Summit

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), established by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organised its first Green Mumbai Summit on September 20, 2024 at Colaba. It was attended by senior officials of the Government of Maharashtra; Pasha Patel, Executive Chairman, CM-Environmental Task Force; Parvin Darade, Principal Secretary, Environment Department & Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra as well as core committee members of the IGBC. The event also witnessed the launch of the Green Dossier, a compilation of the work done by CII-IGBC.

The inaugural session focused on the challenges posed by climate change and global warming and how Mumbai, one of the leading cities worldwide, needs to address this serious concern by identifying corrective and timely measures to mitigate the impact.

Pasha Patel set the tone by focusing on bamboo cultivation to tackle climate change and global warming. He also emphasised on the use of ‘green’ steel concept in the construction of buildings and that bamboos should be used as an alternative for coal in power generation.

Pravin Darade mentioned that Mumbaikars are religiously using public transport, and he was hopeful that the metro network once completed, will further help reduce the city’s carbon footprint. He too He urged for the extensive use of bamboo plant in saving the environment.

Vishal Kamat, Chairman, CII Maharashtra State Council, in his special address, said, “CII aims to position itself as a catalyst in shaping Mumbai’s climate-resilient future. The first edition of the Green Mumbai Summit marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between industry, government, and civil society to address Mumbai's unique environmental challenges. Mumbai faces increasing threats from climate change, such as rising sea levels, heatwaves, and urban flooding. CII state council with the support of IGBC chapters, will advocate for resilient infrastructure as the bedrock of sustainable urban growth. The focus will be on creating buildings and infrastructure that can withstand these climate risks.”

The Green Mumbai Summit focused on a number of key issues and challenges related to global warming and climate change and how coastal cities such as Mumbai can be significantly impacted. As sea levels rise due to melting ice caps and glaciers, Mumbai, faces increased flooding and erosion. This can threaten infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods, particularly in low-lying areas.

As sea levels rise and flooding becomes more frequent, communities, especially in slums and informal settlements, may be displaced, leading to social and economic challenges. Again, global warming contributes to more frequent and intense heatwaves. Mumbai can experience extreme temperatures, exacerbating health issues, especially for vulnerable populations.

The Green Mumbai Summit also saw two technical sessions. The first session, chaired by Er. Sonali, Core Committee Member, IGBC Mumbai Chapter focused on the ‘Importance of Sustainability in Building and Built Environment.’ It covered the economic benefits of sustainability, the environmental impact and the role of real estate developers in creating healthier living and working environments that prioritize human well-being.

The second session, chaired by Mamta Rawat, Core Committee Member, IGBC Mumbai Chapter focused on ‘Strategies to Achieve Low Carbon Built Environment,’ which not only requires sustainable design and practices but also depends on the use of eco-friendly products and technologies.

The summit also included a couple of panel discussions where the participants included leading architects, builders and real estate developers. The first panel on ‘Green Residential Communities - A Need of the Hour,’ moderated by Ar. Prashant Sutaria explored the importance of creating sustainable, eco-friendly residential spaces that not only reduce environmental impact but also promote healthier and more resilient living environments for residents. The second panel, discussing the road Mumbai needs to take towards ‘Net Zero Built Environment,’ was moderated by Ar. Sandeep Shikre, Immediate Past Chairman, IGBC Mumbai Chapter.

Collaborative efforts between government bodies, real estate developers, and industries are paving the way for Mumbai to become a model of sustainable living, reducing its environmental impact while enhancing quality of life for its residents.

IGBC encourages innovation in building technologies, materials, and design practices that support net zero goals. It promotes research and development in sustainable building solutions and technologies. It also fosters collaboration among various stakeholders, including industry experts, government bodies, and academic institutions. This collaborative approach helps in sharing knowledge, experiences, and solutions related to net zero buildings.

CII-IGBC’s Mission on Net Zero envisions to achieve 100% net zero embodied carbon by 2050, for new buildings and infrastructure and work towards making all buildings including existing buildings, net zero operational carbon. 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.