Green Building Congress 2018, the next edition of a premier, annual event series devoted to green building movement, is all set to open in the city on November 1.
Comprising a conference, to which over 2,000 national and international delegates are expected, as well as an exhibition, showcasing over 150 innovative green products and technologies, the three-day event of industry body CII’s Indian Green Building Council will be held at HICC here.
Growth target
Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri will inaugurate the Congress which, CII-IGBC leaders said, comes at a time when the movement has gathered momentum and India eyes over 50% growth in green building space by 2022.
IGBC, its Hyderabad Chapter chairman C. Shekar Reddy said on Wednesday, has facilitated India to reach the second spot globally — with over 6.33 billion sq. ft. made up of 4,794 projects — in terms of largest registered green building footprint. In 2001, when IGBC was formed, there was just one building and involved 20,000 sq. ft.
Over the years, the Council has developed 22 rating system for different categories of buildings, facilities and built environment such as commercial, residential industrial as well as educational and healthcare institution structures, railway stations, villages, townships and cities.
Principal Counsellor to CII Godrej GBC M. Anand said the Council would release Net Zero Energy Rating programme, the first such, on the opening day of the Congress. The new rating, like others have four levels of certification — Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum — and assess buildings in terms of their effort to bring down energy demand.
Green Building Congress 2018, Principal Adviser S. Srinivas said, would serve as a forum to propel India achieve 10 billion sq. ft target by 2022 and showcase innovative building products, materials and technologies. The event, returning to Hyderabad after four years, would focus on green and smart cities, affordable housing and healthcare segment.
Speakers at Congress
Besides leading personalities associated with the field, including World GBC Board Chairman Lisa Bate, the Congress is scheduled to be addressed by Prabhu Gaur Gopal Das of ISKCON, Bharatanatyam exponent Leela Samson, author Ang Valerie and Sundaram Climate Institute founder Mridula Ramesh.