Lodha Net Zero Urban Accelerator Lodha Net Zero Urban Accelerator

This webpage is optimized to save energy

RMI-Lodha Sustainability Conclave

Building a better tomorrow: India’s Net Zero Urban Accelerator

We believe the achievement of sustainability and net-zero goals will require an ecosystem-wide effort in terms of leadership, partnerships, and knowledge exchange. A year ago we launched the Lodha Net Zero Urban Accelerator, in collaboration with RMI India Foundation, as a pioneering initiative with an overarching goal to make net-zero the new normal for the built environment.

The first RMI-Lodha Sustainability Conclave was held on the 13th and 14th of Sept’23. The two inspiring days were filled with insightful discussions, riveting ideas, and collaborative spirit. This transformative event brought together over 200 passionate visionaries, all committed to reshaping the future of India's built environment and accelerating our journey towards a net-zero carbon future.

The Conclave Livestream

Excerpts from the Opening Address

Amory Lovins, Cofounder & Chairman Emeritus, RMI and Abhishek Lodha, MD & CEO, Lodha delivered the opening address, detailing out Lodha’s sustainability approach and the role that the RMI-Lodha Sustainability Conclave will play in realising that vision.

“With some attention and some passion, it’s highly possible for India to be the leader when it comes to the transition of the built environment. We should all be committed to taking all our learnings and sharing them with each other so this transition happens in the smartest and fastest possible way.” - Abhishek Lodha

“One of India’s unique sources of advantage is that you are building so much and it’s far easier to build things right than to fix them later.” – Amory Lovins

First Year Digest & Action Pathways

The first year digest ‘Gateway to India’s Built Environment Dymaxion’ was launched along with a talk on the centrality of climate risks, significance of built environment and snapshots of work done on the Lodha Net-Zero Urban Accelerator in year one

  Gateway to India's Dymaxion

Fireside Chat: Pioneering the path to Net-Zero

An engaging fireside chat exploring collaborative strategies and policy innovations for a sustainable built environment

Fireside chat with Mr. Abhishek Lodha & Mr. Amory Lovins.

Moderator: Ms. Manisha Natarajan.

Plenary Discussion: Blueprint to Reality

The discussion touched on policy and supply chain strategies for net-zero transition in the built environment

Plenary discussion panellists: Mr. Ashish Pande, Dr. Jon Creyts, Mr. Manoj Rustagi, Mr. Nilesh Kane, Mr. Sanjay Sudhakaran.

Moderator: Mr. Lee Polisano.

Breakout Sessions on the 4 focus areas of the Accelerator:

  • Embodied Carbon
  • Passive Design & Thermal Comfort
  • Clean Energy
  • Clean Mobility

Eminent Voices:

“The timing couldn't be more ideal for the RMI-Lodha Sustainability Conclave. Our collective quest to achieve net-zero emissions is vitally important, and Lodha's Palava City project, influenced by the groundbreaking work of the Rocky Mountain Institute, stands as a global benchmark, embodying cost-effective, efficient solutions and holistic design principles. As India embarks on this transformative journey, this event, boasting a diverse array of participants from the construction industry and interconnected supply chain partners, assumes great significance. I extend my gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of this endeavour.“ - Dr. Brian Motherway, Head-Energy Efficiency, International Energy Agency (IEA)

“The RMI-Lodha Sustainability Conclave addresses one of the issues close to my heart, how we move the real estate sector to net-zero in the years to come. This is a huge challenge. We all know that the buildings sector by itself is probably the largest contributor to GHG emissions in the economy. Approximately a third of India's emissions come from the buildings sector. I hope this Accelerator provides the kind of moves that it takes for you and I to invest in energy-efficient and net-zero buildings” - Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, International Solar Alliance (ISA)

“It’s an honor to be at this conclave with esteemed partners to promote the decarbonization and efficiency of India’s built environment. India’s real estate market has immense potential for sustainable buildings and efficient built environment practices. RMI is thrilled to have been a partner on the ambitious Palava City project, a living lab for the Lodha Net-Zero Urban Accelerator, which is setting an example not only in India but for the rest of the world.” - Dr. Jon Creyts, CEO, RMI