GGGI and FICCI Initiate “Master Trainers” Certification to Propel Capacity Building for Low-Carbon Buildings in India

New Delhi, India, January 21, 2025-   The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) successfully concluded the first batch of orientation and certification program titled “Low-Carbon Building Transition for Building Materials Manufacturers & Technology Providers.” This program aims to empower experts across the building ecosystem, enlisting them as training delivery partners under the Asia Low Carbon Buildings Transition (ALCBT) project.

A key component of the ALCBT initiative in India is capacity building which is designed to train over 2,120 individuals. Training participants included government officials, building experts, building owners, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), and financial institutions, in low-carbon tools and sustainable practices. The training will be rolled out in phases, which started with the empowerment of ‘master trainers,’ a group of empaneled experts from the building ecosystem, who will play a vital role in delivering subsequent training sessions.  

This session not only marked the initial rollout of the training program but also served as a platform to showcase the project’s progress over the years, emphasizing its critical role in advancing sustainable development and low-carbon building practices across India and the broader Asia region.

Within India, the project aims to reduce 0.72 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2028 through implementing technical, planning and institutional mechanisms within the building ecosystem. The project will also conduct lifecycle assessments for new and existing buildings while mobilizing finance to scale up the adoption of low-carbon building practices across the country.

About Asia Low Carbon Building Transition (ALCBT) Project

The Asia Low Carbon Buildings Transition (ALCBT) Project seeks to significantly reduce GHG emissions by catalyzing nationwide transitions towards low-carbon buildings. This project is funded by the Government of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI), is being implemented across five Asian countries: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. In India, the project operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and seeks to facilitate nationwide transition towards low-carbon buildings.

 “The construction sector, growing exponentially, is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2047. We must therefore be receptive, innovative, and productive, fostering sustainable growth and mindful consumption.” – Dr. Shailesh Agrawal, Executive Director Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council, MoHUA

 “Given over 70 % of buildings are expected to be built in the coming years, this presents a significant opportunity for India to explore low-carbon options. This includes the use of sustainable building materials and innovative technologies to reduce both embodied and operational carbon emissions.” – Mr. Soumya Garnaik, Country Representative GGGI India

“In the building sector, significant energy is being used in various applications especially cooling. There is a need for further policy push to achieve the NDC goals of the country and the ALCBT project is a great initiative in this regard.” – Ms. Pravati Samal, Director, Bureau Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Government of India

“In its strategy 2030, GGGI emphasizes the scaled transition of buildings and urban infrastructure towards lower carbon economy and this project integrates technical tools, capacity buildings and training, financial pathways and opportunities for scaling up low carbon buildings within a time-bound framework” – Ms. Julie Robles, ALCBT Project Manager at GGGI,

“The partnership targets various initiatives associated with climate mitigation, adaptation, natural carbon sinks, and biodiversity conservation. This strong partnership is about finding common approaches and the best solutions. The capacity building program under the ALCBT project will result in sufficient awareness among all concerned in the building ecosystem.” – Ms. Taina Dyckhoff, Head of Environment Division, German Embassy in India

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For more information, visit:  https://gggi.org and https://alcbt.gggi.org

About Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)

Established in 1927, FICCI is the largest and oldest apex business organization in India. Its history is closely interwoven with India’s struggle for independence, its industrialization, and its emergence as one of the most rapidly growing global economies. A non-government, not-for-profit organization, FICCI is the voice of India’s business and industry. From influencing policy to encouraging debate, engaging with policy makers and civil society, FICCI articulates the views and concerns of industry. It serves its members from the Indian private and public corporate sectors and multinational companies, drawing its strength from diverse regional chambers of commerce and industry across states, reaching out to over 2,50,000 companies. FICCI provides a platform for networking and consensus building within and across sectors and is the first port of call for Indian industry, policymakers and the international business community.