In a strategic alignment with global sustainability trends, India is witnessing a pivotal transformation in its business ethos, with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) imperatives emerging as the linchpin of the corporate landscape. Beyond regulatory compliance, ESG principles are now integral to comprehensive strategies, influencing not only the business domain but also shaping India’s economic and developmental trajectory
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) initiated the Business Responsibility Report (BRR) in 2012, extending it to the top 500 listed companies in 2015. In 2021, this framework evolved into the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR), mandating ESG disclosures by the top 1,000 listed companies. This evolution underscores the heightened corporate consciousness regarding environmental stewardship and employee well-being. Within this paradigm, the ‘E’ in ESG underscores environmental impact mitigation, underscoring the critical role of green buildings. These structures, constructed with eco-friendly practices, play a pivotal role in carbon footprint reduction, water conservation, and energy efficiency, aligning seamlessly with India’s pursuit of sustainable development. As India navigates this sustainability journey, the imperative to integrate more green buildings is underscored. Not only do these structures foster environmental health, but they also underscore India’s commitment to ESG significance on the global stage. The latent impact of green buildings extends beyond environmental conservation. Industries, such as iron and steel, chemicals, and petrochemicals, significantly contribute to energy consumption. Constructing green buildings emerges as a transformative step, with the potential for a multifaceted impact on environmental preservation and economic augmentation.
Global energy statistics accentuate that the construction sector accounts for 40% of the world’s energy consumption. Remarkably, green buildings, designed for energy efficiency, not only curtail energy consumption but also translate into operational cost reductions. In essence, the proliferation of green buildings stands as a pivotal strategy, offering a dual benefit of environmental sustainability and judicious water resource utilisation. As India charts its course toward a greener and more responsible future, green buildings stand poised as the bedrock of sustainable urban development, embodying the essence of ESG principles in tangible architectural solutions.
