New MOU to support Kerala’s Decarbonization efforts

At the presentation of the MOU L to R – Mr Gautam Nagar, India Country Manager, GBPN; Dr Sunita Purushottam, Board Chair, GBPN; Mr B.V. Subhash Babu, Registrar, EMC (representing Mr Harikumar, Director EMC); and Ms Aafsha Kansal, India Project Manager, GBPN

GBPN signs landmark agreement to advance sustainable building practices in Kerala, South India

GBPN and the Energy Management Centre (EMC), Kerala have joined forces to  drive decarbonization and energy efficiency in the state’s building sector, signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The event took place at the prestigious International Energy Festival of Kerala (IEFK) 2025 held in the state’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram, on Feb 7 & 8. GBPN also presented a high-impact panel session, bringing together experts to explore actionable strategies for a more sustainable built environment.

Dr Sunita Purushottam, Board Chair, GBPN, said that the partnership marked a crucial step in accelerating Kerala’s journey towards energy-efficient, climate-responsive buildings.

“Through our technical advisory support, we aim to support EMC Kerala with the necessary tools to implement digital solutions, policy frameworks and roadmaps that promote sustainable construction and urban planning,” Dr Purushottam said.

The MOU was signed by Dr R Harikumar, Director, EMC and Dr Sunita Purushottam, Chairperson, GBPN Board, closely supported by Mr Dinesh Kumar A.N, Joint Director, EMC. The MOU was presented at the event by Mr Subhash Babu B. V, Registrar, EMC.

A Partnership for Sustainability 

Kerala’s culture has traditionally encouraged sustainability in all aspects, according to Gautam Nagar, acting Country Manager for GBPN India. 

“Kerala is very progressive in adopting decarbonization initiatives and setting ambitious goals for a sustainable and healthier future,” Mr Nagar said. 

“The absence of dedicated technical support systems and stakeholder capacity gaps often delays the implementation of these initiatives. With this partnership, GBPN and EMC Kerala have set the stage for a transformative shift toward a zero-emission built environment in the state” 

Under the MOU, GBPN will provide technical advisory support to EMC on key areas of collaboration including:

Digitalize to Decarbonize: Assisting in the development, implementation, and refinement of an automated platform for Energy Conservation Building Codes for residential and commercial buildings. The platform will also aid EMC list energy experts, making it easier for builders to access professionals to design compliant buildings, strengthening compliance and market adoption.

Health-Climate Nexus: GBPN will assist Kerala in integrating Healthy Building Guidelines into state frameworks, focusing on sustainability and energy efficiency. This effort will also contribute to a policy brief supporting the upcoming Kerala Urban Policy.

Support for Local Bodies’ Net-Zero Roadmaps: GBPN will support the designing of a decarbonization roadmap template for Kerala’s urban and rural local bodies, ensuring they are equipped to implement sustainable building practices effectively.

Speaking at the event, Mr Dinesh Kumar, Joint Director, EMC said that people were looking for a one-stop solution that provided information as well as offering practical tools to enhance energy efficiency in buildings. 

“A single, accessible platform can simplify the process significantly. An app-based model that allows users to design their buildings in advance can make a huge difference,” Mr Kumar said. 

“Homeowners and developers don’t want to go from consultant to consultant, incurring hefty fees. They already have a vision for their spaces—they just need the right technology to support and guide them in making informed, energy-efficient choices.”

Scaling Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Panel session L to R – Ms. Aafsha Kansal, GBPN Manager; Dr Sunita Purushottam, GBPN Chairperson; Mr. Nizamudeen A, IAS, Director General, KILA; Mr Ashok Lall, GBPN Changemaker and Principal, ABLA; Mr Selvarasu Maru, Green Building Consultant and Kerala Cell Lead; Mr Dinesh Kumar, Joint Director, EMC

At IEFK 2025, GBPN also presented an engaging panel session to discuss real-world pathways for building decarbonization in Kerala.

GBPN’s participation at IEFK 2025 demonstrated its commitment to enabling collaborative, bottom-up decarbonization strategies through:

Building Local Capabilities: Providing stakeholders with the knowledge and resources to implement sustainable solutions.

Bottom-up Approach: Promoting transparent, stakeholder-driven initiatives to accelerate adoption.

Evidence-based Solutions: Demonstrating successful case studies to encourage widespread implementation.

Addressing Challenges Holistically: Offering policy guidance, technical expertise, and capacity-building support to overcome barriers.