Relevance for UPSC (GS Paper III – Environment and Sustainable Development)

The 17th edition of the GRIHA Summit, held in New Delhi (3–4 November 2025), was organized by the GRIHA Council with the theme “Innovate to Act for a Climate Resilient World.” The summit brought together policymakers, researchers, and industry experts to explore how the built environment—including buildings, transport hubs, and infrastructure—can transition from being a major emitter to a driver of low-carbon and inclusive growth.

Key Highlights

• Discussions focused on energy efficiency, sustainable construction materials, water conservation, circular economy in cities, and air quality improvement.
• Launch of new initiatives:
  • GRIHA Infrastructure Rating for Metro Stations, developed in collaboration with metro authorities to promote sustainable urban transport infrastructure.
  • JAN GRIHA, a framework for affordable and sustainable housing, bringing green practices to large-scale residential projects.
• The summit emphasized moving “from intent to implementation” and “from ambition to action,” encouraging tangible steps toward climate resilience.

Significance for India and Governance

• The built environment accounts for a significant share of global energy use and carbon emissions, making it a crucial focus for mitigation efforts.
• The summit outcomes align with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 13 – Climate Action), and the national target of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.
• It demonstrates how public policy, finance, and technology can converge—through incentives for green construction, sustainable housing finance, and updated building standards—to support India’s urban and climate goals.

Key Takeaways

• Green building practices are becoming mainstream in India’s development strategy.
• Frameworks like GRIHA ratings integrate climate sensitivity into housing, infrastructure, and city planning.
• Collaborative governance and innovation are key to balancing growth with sustainability.

One-line wrap:  India’s 17th GRIHA Summit marks a decisive shift from climate ambitions to actionable innovation—making sustainability a cornerstone of future infrastructure.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question:

Which of the following statements about the GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) system is/are correct?

1. It is an Indian green building rating system developed jointly by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
2. It applies only to residential buildings and excludes infrastructure projects.
3. It has been linked to sustainable housing finance and policy incentives.

Select the correct code:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2
C. 1 and 3
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: C