The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), a part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), hosted the second edition of the Green Mumbai Summit 2025 at Taj The Trees in Vikhroli, Mumbai. The summit focused on the theme “Advancing Climate Resilience: Decarbonizing the Built Environment,” underlining the urgent need for Mumbai to adopt sustainable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient practices in response to increasing environmental challenges.
The event brought together a diverse group of participants including policymakers, urban planners, architects, real estate developers, industry leaders, academics, and sustainability advocates. Discussions centered on strategies to help Mumbai accelerate decarbonization efforts in its buildings and infrastructure to meet India’s Net Zero target by 2070, as outlined in the Panchamrit Abhiyan. The summit highlighted innovative urban planning, sustainable construction methods, and integrated climate strategies as key elements for achieving these goals.
A significant aspect of the summit was the collaboration between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). Their involvement demonstrated a shared commitment to promoting green infrastructure, integrating renewable energy, improving waste management, and adopting nature-positive urban planning. Both municipal bodies presented specific actions being taken to incorporate climate resilience into local governance, showing how coordinated efforts across the Mumbai metropolitan area can contribute to long-term sustainability.
The inaugural session featured several key figures, including Shri Avinash Kate, Deputy Municipal Commissioner of BMC; Mr. Krunal Negandhi, a member of the Chief Minister’s Task Force on Environment and Climate Change; Mr. Thomas Fritzsche, Founder and Head of Design at Thomas Fritzsche Architects; Dr. Mala Singh, Chairperson of IGBC Mumbai Chapter; Mr. Chitranjan Kaushik, Co-Chair of IGBC Mumbai Chapter; and Mr. M Anand, Deputy Executive Director of IGBC. Together, they set the tone for the summit and officially launched its second edition.
During his address, Shri Avinash Kate spoke about BMC’s vision for sustainable urban planning and greening the city. He noted that buildings and real estate are significant contributors to emissions and emphasized the importance of transforming both new developments and existing structures to meet net zero objectives. He added that with IGBC’s support, BMC is committed to adopting low-carbon design, innovative construction materials, and forward-looking practices to make Mumbai a greener and healthier city for future generations.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Mala Singh highlighted IGBC’s dedication to accelerating green building adoption across India. She stressed the need to integrate sustainability, innovation, and resilience into Mumbai’s urban development, noting that the built environment accounts for a large share of global carbon emissions. She emphasized that India’s move toward sustainable urbanization places green buildings at the center of this transformation and that summits like this reinforce IGBC’s mission to promote renewable energy solutions and sustainable practices to achieve India’s Net Zero goals.
The BMC G/South Ward Office was awarded IGBC Gold Certification under the Green Existing Buildings Rating System. The plaque was presented by Dr. Mala Singh to Shri Avinash Kate. The office achieved this recognition through a series of sustainable initiatives, including the installation of water-efficient fixtures that saved 48 percent of potable water, a 10 KLD on-site sewage treatment plant that processed all wastewater, and a rainwater harvesting system with a 131 cubic meter tank to capture all rooftop and non-rooftop runoff. The project also replaced turf with native vegetation to reduce water usage and installed a solar photovoltaic system that supplied 11.1 percent of its annual energy demand.
One of the summit’s key discussions focused on green redevelopment in Mumbai. A dedicated panel brought together architects, real estate developers, environmentalists, and community leaders to discuss strategies for upgrading the city’s aging infrastructure. The session emphasized eco-friendly housing, efficient water and waste management systems, and the creation of open, healthy living spaces. The inclusion of multiple perspectives was seen as essential for creating redevelopment frameworks that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability and community well-being.
Another important topic addressed was the rise of net zero communities, which represent a growing trend of developing carbon-neutral neighborhoods. Presentations showcased pioneering projects and real-world examples of communities that incorporate sustainable design, smart technologies, efficient products, community participation, and circular economy principles. These examples demonstrated how such communities can reduce emissions, improve climate resilience, and enhance quality of life.
The summit also recognized outstanding achievements in green building practices. Twelve buildings certified as IGBC Platinum under various rating systems, including the IGBC Net Zero rating system, were honored for their leadership in energy efficiency, sustainability, and carbon reduction. In addition, 70 founding members from Mumbai were acknowledged for their ongoing commitment to driving the green building and net zero movement in India.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Chitranjan Kaushik described the summit as a significant milestone in building partnerships and fostering innovation to advance Mumbai’s progress toward becoming a global example of sustainable and climate-resilient urban living. The Green Mumbai Summit 2025 marked an important step forward in strengthening climate resilience within Mumbai’s built environment and advancing the vision of a greener, healthier, and more sustainable city for the future.
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