Introduction:
Curbing greenhouse emissions is arguably the world’s key global governance challenge. The real estate industry is a significant contributor to the global warming due to extensive emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the energy use in buildings. It is estimated to account for about 40% of the energy used. Increasing demand for housing and office space in developing countries like India is expected to further push up energy consumption from the buildings sector.
According to The Fourth Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), there is a global potential to reduce approximately 29 percent of the projected baseline emissions from residential and commercial buildings by 2020 and 31 percent from the projected baseline by 2030 at a net negative cost. The IPCC report compared the energy savings potential of the building sector with that of other economic sectors and found that the building sector has the greatest potential among all sectors, in all countries, and at all cost levels. Therefore, there is an imperative need for the industry to develop sustainable building technologies and move towards low-carbon buildings.
The Government of India has launched various initiatives to encourage investment in climate change mitigation aimed at lowering the carbon footprint and achieve urban development in compliance with low carbon initiatives. The “National Action Plan on Climate Change” is a key initiative in this direction and enlists eight strategic missions including ‘National Mission on Sustainable Habitat’, and ‘National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency’ outlining existing and future policies and programs addressing climate mitigation and adaptation.
Successful urban development would entail cross-sectoral communication and participation at the city, state and central levels. It is with this background and as part of the ‘RICS Climate Change Conference Series’, RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), in partnership with Oxford Brookes University, UK and CASLE (Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy), is organizing an International Conference on “Moving towards Low-Carbon Buildings in India” on 20th December 2010 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
A unique panel of international experts, key stakeholders including policymakers from the central and state governments, and industry leaders would be present at this forum and focus on finding new approaches towards achieving a lower carbon footprint for the real estate and construction sector.
Key Benefits:
In the backdrop of these facts and issues, it becomes vital for the property and construction industry – and the practitioners therein – to engage as fully as possible in the discussion about moving towards low-carbon buildings. This conference seeks to indulge in stimulating knowledge sharing which concerns the extent to which related professions use relevant information, tools and techniques to achieve the key objectives of sustainable development.
Armed with immense knowledge and practical experience of the expert panelists leading the sustainability movement across multiple disciplines, this conference provides an opportunity for turning ideas of sustainability into practical action.
Industry participants will be taken through the issues from an Indian perspective, important tools and techniques, recommendations for bringing about changes and most importantly relevant examples and case studies, from India and abroad, that will enrich us with food for thought for a much wider application in our respective professions.
Who Should Attend?
The conference will enlighten a wide spectrum of practitioners with different perspectives on how their business environment can benefit from sustainable development and recommend possible approaches and solutions.
- Investment: Investors are a major force for change in the built environment, particularly since they concentrate on long term growth of their portfolios. They are well placed to develop strategies for urban sustainability and innovative ways of measuring ‘sustainable performance’.
- Design: Architects, urban designers and consultants all have important functions in the creation of a sustainable built environment. From the design of energy efficient buildings through to the creation of engaging urban spaces, this group is well placed to influence the broader change.
- Development and Construction: Similarly, developers contribute to longer term urban sustainability by developing greener buildings using eco friendly material.
- Consulting: Management and consulting companies can become more aware of how they can influence urban sustainability.
- Policymakers, Academicians and Researchers: The vast body of knowledge and investigative research papers can hardly be overlooked. Government and policy makers have also acknowledged, initiated measures and pledged support towards sustainable development and this would therefore serve as a medium for possible enhancements by linking research, practice and policies.
