India: Green Building Congress joins BWI’s pledge of healthy and safe workplaces in extreme heat

The 21st edition of the Green Building Congress, hosted by the India Green Building Council, took place in Chennai, Tamil Nadu State, from 23 to 25 November 2023. Themed 'Advancing Net Zero – Buildings & Built Environment,' the event drew the participation of nearly 5,000 delegates from various countries. TKTMS, an affiliate of BWI and a member of the union-led Construction and Real Estate Industry Coalition (CRIC), was represented by Ponkumar Ponnuswamy and five other delegates.

Apart from addressing workers' issues related to climate change and green buildings, TKTMS presented the BWI Manifesto to the IGBC during the Green Building Congress on 25 November. The manifesto, focusing on healthy and safe workplaces for migrant workers in extreme heat and the climate crisis, was jointly signed by the President of TKTMS and the Vice-President of IGBC. The Chennai Chapter President of IGBC, Ajit Chordia, and Vice President Mahesh Anand received the manifesto, demonstrating their commitment to working together to achieve its goals and safeguard construction workers from extreme heat and adverse weather conditions caused by climate change.

Ponkumar Ponnuswamy, President of TKTMS and CRIC, and Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, emphasised, "Occupational health and safety hazards have intensified with the worsening of climatic events, significantly impacting the well-being and productivity of workers. Therefore, all measures and policy interventions should promote decent work and healthier, safer work practices. When framing guidelines for climate change mitigation, workers' rights, especially for vulnerable groups such as migrant laborers, should be prioritised. We endorse BWI’s focused campaign on climate justice, particularly heat stress, and are pleased that the BWI Climate Manifesto received a positive response at the IGBC Congress."

The participation of TKTMS and CRIC in this event reaffirms their commitment, aligning with the IGBC, following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on July 27, 2023. The MoU aims to foster cooperation among stakeholders, encourage regular interactions, facilitate the exchange of information, conduct joint training programs, and advocate for government policies and programs promoting green and sustainable buildings.