IGBC Hosts 2nd Green Mumbai Summit 2025 on Decarbonizing the Built Environment
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), hosted the 2nd edition of the Green Mumbai Summit 2025 at Taj The Trees, Vikhroli, Mumbai. The summit focused on the theme “Advancing Climate Resilience: Decarbonizing the Built Environment,” highlighting the urgency of building a sustainable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient Mumbai.
The event brought together policymakers, urban planners, architects, real estate developers, industry leaders, academia, and sustainability advocates. Discussions centered on strategies to accelerate Mumbai’s efforts toward decarbonizing its built environment, in line with India’s Net Zero mission by 2070 under the Panchamrit Abhiyan. Key focus areas included innovative urban planning, green construction, and integrated climate strategies.
A major highlight was the active collaboration of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). Both bodies presented actionable steps for renewable energy integration, sustainable waste management, green infrastructure projects, and nature-positive urban planning. Their participation underscored a metropolitan-wide commitment to embedding climate resilience into governance and operations through coordinated local action.
Shri. Avinash Kate, Dy. Municipal commissioner, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) spoke about BMC’s Vision for Sustainable Urban Planning and Greening Mumbai. In his address he stressed that “At BMC, our vision for Greening Mumbai is rooted in making sustainable urban planning a reality. We recognize that buildings and real estate contribute significantly to emissions and transforming the new buildings while retrofitting the existing buildings is key to achieving our net zero goals. With the support of IGBC, we are committed to driving low-carbon design, innovative materials, and future-ready development practices, ensuring that Mumbai grows as a greener, healthier, and more livable city for generations to come.”
Dr. Mala Singh, Chairperson, IGBC Mumbai Chapter, emphasized the Indian Green Building Council’s commitment to green Mumbai and accelerating the green building adoption across the country in the coming years. In her opening remarks, she highlighted the importance of integrating sustainability, innovation, and resilience into Mumbai’s urban transformation, noting that the built environment accounts for a significant share of carbon emissions globally. She said, “India is witnessing a transformative shift towards sustainable urbanization, and green buildings are at the heart of this journey. Through the Green Mumbai Summit 2025, we are reinforcing our commitment to accelerate the adoption of green building practices, integrate renewable energy solutions, and enable cities like Mumbai to lead the way in achieving India’s Net Zero goals. Together, we can build urban environments that are not only resilient and resource-efficient but also enhance the quality of life for generations to come.”
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s G/South Ward Office was conferred the IGBC Gold Certification under the Green Existing Buildings Rating System. The plaque was presented by Dr. Mala Singh, Chairperson, IGBC Mumbai Chapter, to Shri Avinash Kate, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, BMC. The office achieved this distinction through sustainable measures such as installing water-efficient fixtures that saved 48% potable water, implementing a 10 KLD on-site Sewage Treatment Plant that treated all wastewater, and harvesting 100% of available roof and non-roof runoff through a 131 m³ rainwater tank. Additionally, the project replaced turf with native vegetation to reduce water demand and installed an on-site solar PV system that catered to 11.1% of its annual energy consumption.
The summit featured a dedicated panel on one of the most pressing urban sustainability issues: “Green Redevelopment in Mumbai.” This session brought together an inclusive spectrum of stakeholders—from architects and real estate developers to environmentalists and community leaders—who explored strategies for revitalizing Mumbai’s aging infrastructure. Panelists highlighted the importance of adopting eco-friendly housing models, resilient water and waste management systems, and designing open, healthy living spaces. Bringing multiple perspectives into one forum was deemed invaluable for creating balanced, actionable redevelopment frameworks that harmonize development imperatives with ecological stewardship and community wellbeing.
Another vital theme was the surge in Net Zero Communities, reflecting the growing momentum to build neighborhoods that are carbon-neutral through sustainable designs, smart technologies, efficient products, community engagement, and circular economy principles. Presentations showcased pioneering projects and real-world case studies demonstrating how such communities enhance climate resilience, reduce emissions, and improve quality of life. This shift toward holistic, low-carbon urban ecosystems in Mumbai signifies a transformative trend toward self-sustaining cities rooted in innovation and sustainability.
Recognizing leadership and innovation in green building practices, the summit awarded 12 IGBC Platinum Certified Buildings across various IGBC rating systems—including projects certified under the IGBC Net Zero rating system. This elite group of buildings represents cutting-edge achievements in energy efficiency, sustainability, and carbon reduction that set benchmarks for the industry. Additionally, 70 founding members based in Mumbai were honored for their unwavering commitment to accelerating the green and net zero building movement in India, symbolizing the collective effort driving this urgent green transition.
In closing, Mr. Chitranjan Kaushik, Co-Chair, IGBC Mumbai Chapter, declared the summit a milestone in fostering partnerships and innovation to accelerate Mumbai’s journey toward becoming a global exemplar of climate-resilient, sustainable urban living.
