The GRIHA Council, which administers GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) – India’s own green building rating system – inaugurated the 17th edition of its flagship event, The GRIHA Summit, in New Delhi. This year’s theme, ‘Innovate to Act for a Climate Resilient World,’ aims to accelerate scalable climate solutions for India’s built environment by uniting national and international leaders, innovators, and policymakers.
Delivering the inaugural address, Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, highlighted the magnitude of India’s urban transformation. He emphasized that humanity is undergoing one of the largest migrations in history — a shift that will redefine how people live, build, and sustain themselves in the coming decade.
He noted that this rapid urban transition presents challenges of a global nature and a civilizational scale, where every aspect — from buildings and energy to communities — is deeply interconnected. He urged for an inclusive approach to climate action that keeps people at its core. Commending GRIHA Council and TERI for their continued work in sustainability, he added that the ultimate goal of climate action is to create cities that not only endure environmental challenges but also improve people’s quality of life.
Shri Katikithala further stressed that innovation has now become essential for survival. He stated that today’s complex challenges cannot be solved in isolation but require collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and nations. He encouraged stakeholders to develop systems and technologies that make cities more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable, ensuring that innovation delivers measurable benefits for people and communities.
Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI and President of GRIHA Council, in her opening address, called for decisive action in response to the urgent realities of climate change. She noted that innovation must go beyond technology to encompass a shift in mindset — one that promotes radical collaboration and harmony with nature. Drawing inspiration from the COP30 theme of “Global Mutirão” or collective effort, she emphasized GRIHA Council’s commitment to uniting stakeholders and transforming innovative ideas into measurable impact. She envisioned a future where human progress and ecological integrity are fully integrated.
Welcoming the participants, Mr Sanjay Seth, Vice President and CEO of GRIHA Council, described the Summit as a living demonstration of how innovation and collaboration can drive meaningful climate action. He highlighted the role of initiatives like Nirmaan and technologies such as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in uniting the Global North and South under a shared vision of sustainable urban transformation.
In her keynote address, H.E. Ms May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, underscored the shared responsibility of nations in addressing climate change. She noted that sustainable urban development lies at the heart of building a low-emission future. She praised the collaboration between Norway and India in combining Norwegian green technologies with India’s scale and ambition to create cities that exemplify climate resilience and sustainable growth.
As climate risks intensify, the Summit highlighted the vital role of the built environment in determining how societies adapt and thrive. It showcased how innovative thinking, breakthrough solutions, and smarter implementation can transform cities and infrastructure into drivers of climate security and sustainable development. In his special address, Mr Ashish Khanna, Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), highlighted the importance of integrating renewable energy solutions into urban design.
He pointed out that cities account for over 70% of global electricity consumption and two-thirds of global emissions, positioning them at the center of the energy transition. He described how building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) can turn urban surfaces into energy-generating assets and shared ISA’s collaboration with TERI and GRIHA to incorporate BIPV into building codes, strengthen capacity, and promote local manufacturing. He noted that sustainability should be seen not as a constraint but as a foundation for inclusive growth.
During the inaugural session, GRIHA Council launched the GRIHA Infrastructure Rating for Metro Stations — developed in collaboration with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) — to advance sustainability in India’s rapidly expanding metro network. The Council also released “Shashwat: Let Nature Be,” its annual magazine featuring expert articles, interviews, and thought pieces aligned with the Summit’s theme.
A highlight of the event was the GRIHA Rating Awards and Felicitation Ceremony, where outstanding green building projects from across India were recognized for their exemplary achievements in energy efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. The Summit also featured “NIRMAAN,” an exhibition that showcased cutting-edge sustainable materials, technologies, and innovations — reflecting India’s growing leadership in sustainable and climate-resilient urban development.
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