Building a Sustainable Chennai: IGBC's E3 Event Drives Green Building Practices

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) organized the E3 event on April 27, 2024 in Chennai, India. The purpose of the event was to promote sustainable development in Chennai and beyond. The event was held in collaboration with CREDAI. With a mission that transcends conventional boundaries, IGBC weaves together the elements of Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jal), Fire (Agni), Air (Vayu), and Space (Akasha) into a tapestry of sustainable design principles.

In collaboration with CREDAI, IGBC's initiative is poised to pave the way for millions to find purposeful work in a greener, more sustainable future, aligning closely with IGBC's mission while celebrating CREDAI's 25 years anniversary. At the heart of IGBC's endeavor lies the belief that by harmonizing Energy, Earth, and Expanses, environments can be cultivated to nurture both humanity and the planet. Encouraging green buildings goes beyond mere construction; it fosters an entire ecosystem of sustainability where allied industries such as renewable energy, sustainable materials manufacturing, and green technology development thrive. 

This vibrant gathering consisted of industry pioneers, policymakers, and advocates such as Chief Guest, Mr. G S Sameeran, IAS, Joint Commissioner (Works), Greater Chennai Corporation, Guest of Honor, Mr. Sridharan Swaminathan, National VP, South Zone, CREDAI, Dr. T Arul, Executive Committee, CREDAI, Chennai, Ar. C N Raghavendran, Managing Director, CRN & Past Chairman IGBC – Chennai Chapter, Ajit Kumar Chordia, Chairman, IGBC – Chennai Chapter, Mr. Mahesh Anand, Co-Chairman, IGBC – Chennai Chapter, Mr. Sampath Kumar, Senior Counsellor, CII – IGBC and Mr. K V Sreedatta, Associate Counsellor, IGBC Secretariat, who discussed on Chennai's journey towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Mr. Sridharan Swaminathan, National VP, South Zone, CREDAI, emphasized, "Green buildings foster an ecosystem of sustainability, and is not just about its construction. They catalyse allied industries like renewable energy and green technology, creating job opportunities in various roles. CREDAI's initiative, aligned with IGBC, aims to create a greener, more sustainable future, celebrating CREDAI's 25 years anniversary and registering projects that integrate these norms."

In today's urban landscape, optimizing space utilization and extending the lifespan of buildings are paramount considerations. Beyond technological advancements and sustainable materials, the local context plays a crucial role in green building initiatives. The emphasis shifts towards constructing buildings capable of outliving their typical tenure, embracing flexibility in design and functionality.

Mr. G S Sameeran, IAS, Joint Commissioner (Works), Greater Chennai Corporation shared his thoughts saying, “Green buildings, not only reduce environmental impact but also benefit communities, emphasizing the need for society-wide integration of sustainable practices beyond government mandates. This holistic approach ensures buildings serve both their immediate purpose and contribute positively to the environment and society in the long term”. He also highlighted the importance of optimizing space and prolonging building lifespans in today's urban landscape. He stressed the significance of local context in green building initiatives, advocating for flexible designs and functionality.”

Central to the event's agenda, Mahindra World City received a Platinum Plaque for its exemplary commitment to green practices, under the IGBC Green Township Rating System. Urbanrise, a Founding Member of IGBC, was recognized for joining the Green Building Movement and showcase their unwavering dedication to sustainable development.

In the spirit of collaboration and innovation, the event fostered enriching discussions with a technical session on critical themes such as Addressing the Urban Heat Island Effect & Urban Landscaping and Planning, Exploring Sustainable Architectural Planning & Low-carbon Design Materials for enhanced daylighting & ventilation and Understanding IGBC Standards, Energy Saving Methodologies, and the transition towards Net Zero. 

As Chennai progresses towards a sustainable future, IGBC remains at the forefront, championing green development and paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.

About the Indian Green Building Council: 

IGBC was established by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in 2001 to actively promote the Green Building concept in India. The Council is represented by all stakeholders of the construction industry comprising corporate, government, and nodal agencies, architects, product manufacturers, institutions, and more. The Council also closely works with governments, the World Green Building Council, and bilateral and multilateral agencies to promote green building concepts in India. 

With a Green Building footprint of 11.62 billion sq ft, and with over 13,560 projects adopting IGBC’s 32 rating systems, the Green Building movement in India has been advancing at a rapid pace and transforming India into one of the global leaders in green built environment. IGBC’s current stakeholder ecosystem consists of 29 Local Chapters across the nation, 7100+ Accredited Professionals (IGBC APs), and 360+ student chapters.