Global Conclave on Sustainable Construction to Tackle Climate Challenges

KOLLAM:
As Kerala strives to build a more resilient and sustainable future, the UL International Conclave on Sustainable Construction kicked off today at the Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction (IIIC) in Chavara, Kollam. While inaugurating the three-day Conclave, the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, emphasised the need for development that leaves no one behind—a core principle of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The Chief Minister highlighted Kerala’s commitment to inclusive growth, environmental responsibility, and multifaceted measures to combat the challenges posed by climate change.

The Conclave brings together a distinguished group of national and international experts to discuss sustainable construction practices and policies. Part of the Uralungal Society’s centenary celebrations, it aims to tackle Kerala’s unique climate challenges while shaping development strategies that are both eco-friendly and resilient to future environmental shifts.’

Notable participants include Mark Goldman, Director of ESRI Denver Industries Solutions, USA; Prof. Narayanan Neithalath, University of Arizona, USA; Prof. Pat Rajeev, Chair, Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Swinburne University, Australia; Dr. Manoranjan Parida, Director of CSIR-CRRI; Dr. L. P. Singh, Director of NCCBM; and Prof. Koshy Varghese, IIT Madras among others from prestigious academic institutions worldwide.

The conclave will feature experts from leading construction firms, including Joseph Martin, Senior Director of ESG Platform at PwC India; Amit Barde, Head of Precast at Larsen & Toubro; Kalyan Vaidyanathan, Business Development Director at Bentley Systems India; and Manoj Verman, Tunneling and Rock Engineering Expert from ISRM Commission on Hard Rock Excavation. Prominent Kerala figures such as Dr. Jayakumar, former MD and CEO of the
Vizhinjam Port Project, will also contribute their insights.

The conclave will include four panel discussions, seven technical sessions, and parallel skill-development workshops. The opening day features a panel discussion on ‘Building Today with Tomorrow: Strategic Insights on Sustainable Infrastructure as the Pillar for a Developed and Resilient India and Kerala’, moderated by Srikanth APV, Director of Global Operations, Singapore Arcadis. Esteemed speakers such as Dr. Jayakumar, Joseph Martin, and Prof. Abhilash S. Nair of IIM Kozhikode will present their views.

A panel discussion titled ‘Innovation in Low Carbon Materials and Design: Challenges and Opportunities’ will feature experts like Dr. Sivakumar Kanthaswamy from L&T Construction, Dr. R. Manikandan from Dalmia Cements, Dr. L. P. Singh, Prof. Pat Rajeev, and Prof. Narayanan Neithalath.

The event is organised in collaboration with esteemed institutions such as Arizona State University, IIT Madras, NIT Calicut, and NICMAR University, and is part of a series of international conferences to mark the centenary celebrations of the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society.