IGBC drives cultural sustainability at Green Kochi Conclave 2025

The IGBC’s Green Kochi Conclave 2025 brought together significant stakeholders to promote culturally rooted, climate-resilient design for Kerala’s sustainable development.

The CII Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) successfully organised the Green Kochi Conclave 2025 on Friday, July 4, at the Hotel Holiday Inn in Kochi. The conclave, themed “Tharavadu to Tomorrow: Weaving Kerala’s Heritage into a Sustainable Built Environment,” provided a unique opportunity for policymakers, planners, architects, developers, academics, and sustainability advocates to shape Kerala’s urban future through climate-resilient and culturally rooted design.

Kerala has emerged as a significant contributor to India’s green building movement, with over 460 IGBC-registered projects totalling 49 million square feet in the residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. Some notable platinum-rated projects are Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, RBI Kochi, Kannur International Airport, IOCL’s Calicut office, and Club Mahindra Ashtamudi. Other notable breakthroughs include Net Zero Water certification for Shoba City in Thrissur, as well as gold ratings for Lulu Mall in Thiruvananthapuram and Vismayam, Kerala’s first IGBC-rated home. The IGBC Kochi Chapter continues to conduct awareness and outreach programs, which are supported by collaborations like the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) to promote sustainability in state-funded infrastructure projects.

The inaugural session featured key addresses from V Suresh, Chairman, Policy Advocacy & Government Relations, IGBC; Mr. Joseph Michael Kallivayalil, Vice Chairman, CII Kerala State Council; Ar B R Ajit, Past Chairman, IGBC Kochi Chapter; K Lava, Chairman, IGBC Kochi Chapter; Ar Lalichan Zacharias, Co-Chair, IGBC Kochi Chapter; and M Anand, Deputy Executive Director, IGBC. The day’s workshops focused on crucial themes such as low-carbon building, green certifications, urban mobility, renewable energy, water efficiency, the circular economy, and incorporating ESG principles into real estate and infrastructure projects.

Giving the keynote address, V Suresh, Chairman of Policy Advocacy & Government Relations, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), said, “With 13 states across India offering policy incentives for IGBC-certified green buildings, Kerala is setting a strong example by providing up to a 50 percent reduction in one-time building tax, a 1 percent reduction in stamp duty, and a 20 percent reduction in property tax. These measures reflect the state’s proactive approach to sustainable development. I encourage all stakeholders to participate in the IGBC Green and Net Zero Building Movement and help shape a greener, climate-resilient India.”

Joseph Michael Kallivayalil, Vice Chairman of the CII Kerala State Council, in his address stated, “Kerala is steadily advancing its green building movement. The growing adoption of sustainable practices reflects the state’s commitment to reducing environmental impact and enhancing quality of life through energy-efficient, resource-conscious design. The IGBC Kochi Chapter plays a vital role in this progress through active awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and collaborations such as its partnership with the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) to promote green infrastructure across the state.”

K Lava, Chairman, IGBC Kochi Chapter, welcomed the dignitaries and set the stage. In his opening remarks, he said, “The Green Kochi Conclave 2025, themed ‘Tharavadu to Tomorrow—Weaving Kerala’s Heritage into a Sustainable Built Environment’, brings together key stakeholders to chart a greener future for the state. Supported by the Government of Kerala, the event highlights the role of green technologies, Net Zero buildings, and eco-friendly infrastructure in addressing climate challenges and urban growth. Kochi, as a coastal city, is positioned as a model for sustainable urban development. The conclave aims to transform Kerala’s built environment through collaboration, policy influence, and a shared commitment to sustainability rooted in cultural heritage.”

Participating in a panel discussion on Resilient Kerala: Integrated Strategies for Water, Energy and Waste, R. Harikumar, Director of the Energy Management Centre, Government of Kerala, emphasised the state’s commitment to climate-conscious development. The seminar showcased successful case studies and innovations from Kerala, including those from Kochi Metro and Cochin International Airport, which were pioneers in integrating green techniques on a large scale.

M P Ramnavas, Director (Projects) at Kochi Metro Rail Limited, participating in the panel discussion on “Accelerating Kerala’s Green Transition—A Pathway to Sustainable Growth,” shared how sustainable transit infrastructure can catalyse climate-friendly urban growth. Manu G, Airport Director of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), reflected on the airport’s remarkable journey, highlighting it as a shining example of Kerala’s leadership in sustainability. CIAL holds the distinction of being the world’s first fully solar-powered airport.

In his closing remarks, Ar. Lalichan Zacharias, Co-Chair of the IGBC Kochi Chapter, focused on the road ahead. He said, “The Green Kochi Conclave 2025 sets the stage for a collective push towards sustainable urban development in the state. It brings together policymakers, professionals, and partners to explore practical solutions and innovations in green building, resource management, and climate resilience. With Kochi as the focal point, the conclave emphasises the importance of preserving cultural identity while advancing environmentally responsible growth, making it a dynamic forum for ideas, partnerships, and impactful action.”

Emerging topics covered by panel discussions and technical workshops included green financing, net-zero energy buildings, sustainable hospitality, ESG-aligned development, and heritage-sensitive architecture. The event also provided a networking opportunity for developers, green product makers, consultants, and government agencies to work together on Kerala’s next phase of sustainable growth.

The Green Kochi Conclave was well-attended, with over 20 notable speakers from construction, urban planning, design, and public infrastructure. Industry executives, including V Suresh, Chairman, Policy Advocacy and Government Relations, IGBC; BR Ajit, MD of Asset Homes; and representatives from Saint-Gobain, UltraTech, and Lulu Tech Park, discussed sustainable innovation in the built environment.

Key industry associations such as CREDAI Kerala, the Indian Institute of Architects Cochin, IIID, and ISHRAE provided support for the event, which was sponsored by UltraTech Cement, Saint-Gobain, LuminX, Doors & More, Simpolo, and Asian Paints.

As Kerala experiences significant urbanisation, the IGBC Green Kochi Conclave 2025 emphasised the necessity of retaining cultural identity while planning for the future. It concluded with a collective call to action, pushing stakeholders throughout the ecosystem to hasten the transition to climate-resilient, energy-efficient, and inclusive built environments.

For more details, visit: https://igbc.in/