Net-Zero Buildings–The Future of India’s Built Environment

Climate change, caused by carbon emissions, poses significant hazards to all life forms. If not managed, it has the potential to endanger the globe. The UN Environment Program claims that 37% of annual global carbon emissions are generated by the construction sector. Thus, realty players must take stringent actions to adopt sustainable building practices.

Over the next two decades, India is expected to double its built space as urban areas will likely accommodate 70% of urban infrastructure. Hence, it is high time the country made its built environment sustainable.

India being a developing country faces the challenges of mega infrastructure development while adhering to environmental responsibility. Nevertheless, its construction sector is striving hard to construct a future-sensitive climate.

A net zero-carbon built environment consumes as much energy as it produces. It utilises renewable energy sources and sustainable materials to reduce energy consumption.

The World Green Building Council emphasises that all buildings have to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. It is a highly demanding task for India as the rates of urbanization are relatively fast, and construction work projections are ever-increasing.

According to experts, 70% of the buildings which will exist in India by 2030 are still under construction. This indicates the urgency of adopting net-zero principles.

At the Glasgow Climate Summit of 2021, India came out with its “Panchamrit” vision, which includes ambitious climate goals such as reducing carbon intensity to 45% from the 2005 level, increasing non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030, meeting 50% of the energy requirements with renewable sources, and reducing carbon emissions by 1 billion tons by 2030.

Another sustainable building project is Eco Niwas Samhita. It has fixed energy efficiency criteria for the built environment of households. In contrast, the Energy Conservation Building Code, or ECBC, addresses features of commercial buildings.

Furthermore, the government is promoting eco-friendly development through several star ratings such as the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment).

Challenges in Achieving Net-Zero Construction in India

Despite having a proper policy framework, the execution of net-zero construction in India still faces several challenges. The high cost of sustainable building materials and energy-efficient technologies is the primary hurdle.

Though sustainable methods bring long-term savings, most ignorant developers prefer traditional methods as they incur lesser initial investment.

Many green certifications such as GRIHA and LEED have been introduced but have not been widely adopted. Moreover, it is tough to track embodied carbon emissions today because the industry lacks standardized data collection mechanisms or reporting methodologies.

Net-Zero Construction Strategies

The time has come for India to focus on surefire strategies to achieve a net-zero built environment. For instance, energy-efficient building design can reduce energy demand through passive design elements, including natural ventilation, daylighting, and insulation. High-performance glass, cool roofs, and efficient HVAC systems also help reduce buildings’ operational carbon footprint.

The building designs must also incorporate solar and wind energy. Rooftop solar panels, solar water heaters, and microgrids can help buildings generate clean energy.

Likewise, low-carbon materials, including fly ash bricks, recycled steel, and bamboo, can be used to reduce buildings’ embodied carbon. Sustainable building materials like rammed earth and compressed stabilized earth blocks with a low environmental footprint can also be used.

Importance of Waste Reduction and Circularity

Construction waste can be recycled and reused to minimise the impact on the landfill. Prefabricated and modular construction techniques can ensure minimal waste and optimal resource utilisation.

These methods can reduce material waste besides contributing to lower energy consumption during construction.

Smart Integration– AI & Digital Technologies

AI and digital technologies can help optimise energy consumption, design better buildings, and manage waste efficiently. Predictive analytics can facilitate the early detection of inefficiencies so as to improve energy management.

Likewise, Advanced simulations and AI-driven modelling can enable architects and engineers to design buildings with enhanced energy efficiency.

Public-Private Collaboration

Collaboration between the government and private stakeholders is a necessity in ensuring sustainable construction. Incentives such as tax benefits, subsidies for green buildings, and stricter regulatory compliance may accelerate adoption.

Also, governments can establish policies and frameworks that encourage private entities to invest in environmentally friendly infrastructure, while private stakeholders bring innovation, efficiency, and financial support to large-scale projects.

The Road Ahead

India stands at a crossroads in terms of its construction sector. The actions taken today will influence the future of the country’s ecosystem. By 2031, Indian cities will likely accommodate over 600 million people. Therefore, it is critical to invest in sustainable infrastructure.

India can lead net-zero construction by prioritising energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and sustainable materials. Furthermore, carbon neutralisation in the built environment has now become a great economic opportunity as well as an essential environmental imperative.

Net-zero construction could open the door to a new industry and create jobs. It will also position the country as an innovative leader in green building design worldwide.

– Angad Bedi, CMD, BCD Group