9th GRIHA Summit 2017: Plenary Session 1 - Cost of Sustainability

Green building movement started about two decades back across the globe. The movement was triggered by the extravagant use of resources in modern buildings and it was imperative to curb the wasteful consumption. So, the initial programmes targeted the affluent section of buildings such as commercial buildings. Simultaneously, technology also grew towards more efficient solutions which were at times more expensive than the conventional options. This created a perception that sustainability comes at a cost. The word "sustainability" has woven itself into marketing and branding strategy such that companies use it to market themselves.

But, considering the current challenges faced by humanity all over the world, sustainability is not an option; it is indeed the only way forward. This session will deliberate upon the cost of sustainability for affordable construction. In times when the economy is recovering and budgets are tight, corporate focus on sustainability can begin to drift because of the myth that sustainability is an unproven cost. Organizations must effectively balance short term investment toward proven sustainability measures while driving a vision and strategy of evolving their business for future environmental and social conditions. This session will deliberate upon the cost of sustainability for affordable construction.