Need to assess the potential of nature-based solutions and green technologies to facilitate green recovery: Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change

December 10, New Delhi: Making a definitive pitch for climate finance for developing countries to ensure their transition to green economy, Mr Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Minister of Labour and Employment, emphasised that climate change and environment policies have been the mainstay of India's development strategy.

Mr Yadav was delivering the keynote address at The GRIHA Event 2021, the annual flagship programme of the GRIHA Council, on Friday, December 10. "Effective local institutions are instrumental to enhance climate resilience and enable low-carbon growth... There is a need to engage in a sector-wise deep dive to assess the potential of nature-based solutions and green technologies in facilitating a green recovery," said Mr Yadav. GRIHA variants, he noted, pushed the market towards enhanced resource efficiency. The Union Minister presented the GRIHA Exemplary performance awards, and also awarded the 4-and 5-star rated GRIHA Projects.

Held on the theme 'Restoring Green Economy', the event was a platform to generate a dialogue on taking decisive steps to go beyond the conventional GDP and measure it inclusive of green development.

Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General- TERI, and President, GRIHA Council, in her welcome address, emphasised the need for the building industry to redefine their design and construction principles to contribute to a greener economy in India. "It is now time to implement multiple strategies simultaneously, including afforestation to serve as a carbon sink, energy demand reduction and installing renewable energy," she said.

In his special remarks, H.E. Mr Freddy Svane, Ambassador, Royal Danish Embassy in India, highlighted the Green Strategic Partnership signed by the Hon'ble Prime Ministers of Denmark and India to speed up economic recovery, accelerate green growth and create new jobs in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the event, H.E. Mr Hans Jacob Frydenlund, Ambassador, Royal Norwegian Embassy in India, underscored the global efforts required to enable developing countries to accelerate their transition to renewable energy.

Mr Sanjay Seth, Chief Executive Officer, GRIHA Council, elaborated on how the GRIHA Council evolved during the pandemic to introduce new protocols to combat the challenges of the lockdown. The organization, he observed, developed online interactive sessions for stakeholders, carried out their rating process online and succeeded in growing the project registrations during the pandemic.

A new version of the Simple Versatile Affordable GRIHA rating - SVAGRIHA V3, which analyses the impacts of small developments on environment and climate, as well as the latest edition of 'Shashwat' magazine and the GRIHA Product catalogue dashboard were launched at the event. An MoU between GRIHA Council and Govardhan Ecovillage was signed for rating their upcoming projects under different GRIHA variants.

About GRIHA Council

Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) Council is an autonomous, not for profit society established to promote and administer the development of sustainable buildings and habitats in India through the GRIHA rating. GRIHA has been acknowledged as India's own green building rating system. The tool evaluates reductions in emission intensity through habitats. GRIHA is a part of mitigation strategy for combating climate change in India.

About TERI

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is an independent, multi-dimensional research organization, with capabilities in policy research, technology development, and implementation. Headquartered in New Delhi, TERI has regional centres and campuses in Gurugram, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Mumbai, Panaji, and Nainital, supported by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, sociologists, economists, engineers, administrative professional and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

For further details, contact:
Sumit Bansal – sumit.bansal@teri.res.in
P Anima – animap@teri.res.in
Akash Deep – akashdeep@grihaindia.org
Apeksha Patil – apeksha.patil@grihaindia.org