IGBC Conclave Outlines Vision for Green and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure in Kerala
Kochi, August 11, 2026: The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organized the second edition of the IGBC Green Kochi Conclave 2026 in Kochi to deliberate on advancing healthier, greener, and climate-resilient infrastructure. Held under the theme “Sustainable Well-being | Green Healthcare | Climate Resilient Infrastructure,” the conclave brought together policymakers, healthcare leaders, architects, developers, sustainability experts, and industry stakeholders. The discussions explored how sustainability can extend beyond environmental performance to improve occupant well-being, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and enhance resilience into Kerala’s rapidly evolving built environment, IGBC said in a press release.
Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala, APM Mohammed Hanish (IAS), said, “Achieving the milestone of 600 IGBC-certified projects is a testament to Kerala’s unwavering leadership in sustainable urban development. To further accelerate our vision of a climate-resilient, net-zero future, the Government of Kerala is committed to enhancing policy and financial incentives for green building projects across all residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. We look forward to engaging in detailed discussions with the IGBC team to formalize these progressive frameworks and establish a benchmark for green construction nationwide.”
The inaugural session featured perspectives from government, healthcare, and industry leaders, followed by panel discussions on future-ready healthcare infrastructure, sustainable design, green technologies, and resource efficiency. Experts shared practical insights into improving patient comfort, operational efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and strengthening resilience across healthcare facilities and urban infrastructure.
President, Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO), Dr. Lallu Joseph, said, “Healthcare infrastructure today must deliver far more than clinical excellence. Hospitals of the future must be designed to promote patient wellbeing, enhance caregiver productivity, reduce environmental impact and remain operational during climate-related disruptions. Sustainable healthcare facilities not only improve patient outcomes but also significantly reduce lifecycle costs and carbon emissions. The discussions at this conclave reinforce the need to embed sustainability into every stage of healthcare planning, design and operations.”
With Kochi’s growing urban footprint and coastal context, the conclave highlighted the importance of climate-responsive planning. Discussions explored how green healthcare facilities, wellness-centric buildings, advanced technologies, and resilient design strategies can contribute to healthier communities across Kerala.
National Chairman, IGBC, C Shekar Reddy, said, “To meaningfully advance India’s target of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070, our focus must pivot decisively toward greening the rapidly emerging Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, ensuring sustainable practices uplift every level at the bottom of the pyramid. I strongly urge all key industry bodies—including CREDAI, IIA, CAHO, and IIID—to actively champion this movement among their members, drive grassroots awareness, and jointly accelerate the expansion of green building standards into every corner of the nation.”
Chairman, IGBC Kochi Chapter, K. Lava, said, “As infrastructure development expands rapidly across Kerala, IGBC sees a vital opportunity to ensure this progress is not only economically productive, but also inherently sustainable and climate-resilient. Given that Kerala is increasingly vulnerable to extreme climate events, our buildings and infrastructure must be engineered to withstand these adverse environmental conditions while advancing long-term ecological balance.”
Highlighting the tangible impact of sustainable development across diverse sectors in Kerala, several flagship projects were formally felicitated at the event. Welcare Hospital in Kochi achieved the IGBC Platinum Rating under the Green Healthcare Facilities system, while the Reserve Bank of India’s Staff Quarters in Kochi earned the top-tier IGBC Platinum Rating under the Green Service Building category. Additionally, five State Bank of India (SBI) branch projects across the state were recognized with Gold and Silver IGBC ratings. These felicitations took place in the presence of Past National Chairman, V Suresh; Co-chair, IGBC Kochi chapter, Ar Lalichan Zacharias; and Chairman, CII Kerala State Council, Joseph Michael Kallivayalil.
The conclave reaffirmed IGBC’s commitment to supporting Kerala’s transition toward a greener built environment through capacity building, policy advocacy, and industry collaboration. Adding further momentum, the event hosted the ‘Green Crusaders’ registration drive, which successfully brought and felicitated 50 new projects accounting for 1.3 crore square feet of built-up area into the IGBC green fold. Director, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd., M P Ramnavas, and CEO, Waynad Redevelopment Project, Rakesh, felicitated these crusaders alongside other dignitaries. The event concluded with the IGBC Green Crusaders Awards and networking interactions.
