From November 3rd to 4th, New Delhi will host the 17th GRIHA Summit, bringing together global leaders under the compelling theme ‘Innovate to Act for a Climate Resilient World.’ This significant event aims to spearhead scalable climate solutions specifically tailored for India’s rapidly evolving built environment.
Hosted by the esteemed GRIHA Council, the summit promises an enriching experience with more than 50 distinguished speakers. These experts will lead discussions across four plenary and four technical sessions, complemented by three dynamic exhibition pavilions showcasing groundbreaking innovations, as confirmed by the organizers.
Central to the discussions will be the exploration of robust policy frameworks, cutting-edge technological advancements, effective market mechanisms, and collaborative partnerships. The ultimate goal is to enhance the resilience of our cities, critical infrastructure, and communities against the impacts of climate change.
A lineup of influential figures is expected, including Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; May-Elin Stener, the Ambassador of Norway; Ashish Khanna, Director General of the International Solar Alliance; and Sanjay Kulshrestha, CMD of HUDCO. Adding a touch of celebrity, renowned actor Gulshan Grover will be the distinguished Guest of Honour at the valedictory ceremony.
Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI and President of the GRIHA Council, emphasized the critical role of innovation. She stated, ‘As we reimagine the growth of our cities and the evolution of our infrastructure, innovation must be the guiding principle at every stage, from initial design to final execution.’
Dhawan further highlighted that the 17th GRIHA Summit will spark conversations around embedding resilience, efficiency, and circularity as core tenets of sustainable development. She firmly believes that ‘only through collective commitment and relentless innovation can we create living spaces that truly nurture both humanity and our planet.’
Echoing this sentiment, Sanjay Seth, Vice President & CEO of the GRIHA Council, remarked, ‘We are at a pivotal moment where climate action must transition from mere intent to tangible implementation, and from ambition to concrete action. The built environment holds immense potential as a catalyst for low-carbon, resilient, and inclusive growth. Our collaborative endeavors today will undeniably shape a low-carbon, adaptable, and inclusive future for all.’
Across the two-day event, leading subject experts will explore India’s journey towards inclusive, low-carbon development. Key areas of focus include ensuring energy security, integrating climate education (pedagogy), building robust and resilient infrastructure, and empowering communities through climate action initiatives.
Specialized thematic sessions will address vital topics such as climate-smart water management, the development and application of low-carbon building materials, innovative solutions for improving urban air quality, and the implementation of circular economy principles.
The impressive roster of speakers also features Anil Razdan, former Power Secretary; Leena Nandan, former Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Yevgeniya Pozigun, a senior associate at Zaha Hadid Architects; Daniel Joseph Whittaker from Singapore University of Technology and Design; Peter Graham, CEO of the Global Buildings Performance Network; TERI’s R.R. Rashmi; and Saurabh Kumar, Vice President of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet.
Additionally, the Summit will host the ‘Nirmaan Exhibition,’ a dedicated space to display cutting-edge sustainable technologies and products. Highlights will include a demonstration of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) facades and a gallery featuring entries from an architectural design competition.
A significant launch at the event will be a new publication titled ‘GRIHA Infrastructure Rating for Metro Stations.’ Developed in partnership with BMRCL, this framework aims to standardize and evaluate the environmental performance of metro stations across the country.
The Summit will culminate in the prestigious GRIHA Rating Awards and Felicitation Ceremony, recognizing outstanding 4-Star and 5-Star projects in sustainable construction. As a prelude to the main event, a ‘Green Building Tour’ was organized on November 1st, offering participants an exclusive visit to Uttarakhand Niwas in New Delhi, a 5-Star GRIHA-rated project that exemplifies sustainable design principles.
It’s important to note that GRIHA, which stands for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, is India’s very own green building rating system. It was collaboratively developed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Officially recognized by the Government of India as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCC, GRIHA offers a robust framework for assessing and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all types of habitats.