Academy ‘first’ in Hyderabad – IGBC Green Schools Platinum Rating

The Academy is incredibly proud to announce that we were awarded platinum rating certification under the Indian national IGBC Green Schools Rating System last month. Achieving the highest ‘green’ certification level of platinum, we are recognised as a global leader in the Indian green schools movement. A massive ‘thank you’ to the Academy Operations Head, Mr David Roy and his team who worked with faculty and students over the last six months to achieve this milestone in our journey as an Academy centre of education excellence aiming to cultivate leadership through service and stewardship.

"Twenty-first century schools are preparing students for twenty-first century living. It is clear that this critical global mandate must include awareness and responsiveness to the environment. Two of the Academy core values, service and stewardship are expressed in this platinum rating award. Our Academies’ commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in the participation of our faculty, staff and students in the wider Indian Green Schools agenda."
– Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, Head of Academy, Hyderabad 2016

A registration process with the IGBC Green Schools Programme was followed by Academy implementation and monitoring of green policies and practices by our management, staff and students. This included evaluating site planning; sustainable water practices; energy conservation and harvesting; usage of eco-friendly school material; ensuring high indoor environmental quality; health and hygiene; and green education for students and staff. Over the last months, Academy students have initiated numerous projects and activities to reduce institutional usage of plastic; to encourage human–animal coexistence; to enable waste segregation and the adoption of organic farming practices.

“Achieving the prestigious IGBC platinum rating is a clear demonstration of the school’s commitment to make a difference to Mother Earth. This in turn will encourage and inspire young minds to make green as a way of life and also make them green ambassadors for the country. Today, over 20 schools in Indian are IGBC rated green schools and many others are in the pipeline.”
– Sri Rekha Mavulati, Counsellor – Architect, Indian Green Building Council

IGBC Green Schools Committee has conducted school visits and assessment of ‘green buildings’ features, resulting in a credit-based award that has specific non-negotiable mandatory requirements. Mr Jitendra Verma, HR Manager and member of the Academy CSR Working Group, represented the Academy and collected the platinum award plaque and certificate at the CII National Awards function during the 14^th annual Green Building Congress 2016 in Mumbai on 6 October 2016.