The Green Building Congress, a platform for business leaders, elected officials and thought leaders, aims to advance India’s green building movement. This year’s congress has a theme of ‘Hygiene, Health, and Well-Being in Built Environment’, which reflects the growing awareness of the importance of healthy living and working environments.
Residential and commercial buildings in India account for almost 30 percent of the country’s total electricity consumption and this figure is projected to increase to 48 percent by 2042. With new commercial floor space expected to rise by up to 6 percent annually over the next two decades, the real estate sector presents a significant opportunity to promote energy-efficient buildings in India.
Energy efficiency offers significant benefits, including reducing energy bills, creating jobs, and improving air quality while mitigating climate change. Building energy codes are effective tools for ensuring energy efficiency in the construction and operation of buildings, and they also enhance worker comfort.
Gujarat and Maharashtra are states to watch in the race for more energy-efficient buildings, given their massive development and prominent real estate developers. Gujarat is witnessing a growth in its commercial buildings and associated energy consumption. Meanwhile, Maharashtra is the largest state economy in India, with the megacity of Mumbai.
Given its rapid urbanisation, Maharashtra has taken initial steps to draft state-specific ECBC rules and completed demonstration projects to showcase actual energy savings of ECBC-compliant buildings. Maharashtra is working to form a technical committee with officials from the urban development and housing departments to fastrack notification.
By promoting the adoption of efficient buildings, India can rebuild a stronger, healthier, and more sustainable economy and society. The Green Building Congress provides a robust platform for driving this change and ensuring that India’s built environment is aligned with the country’s climate and sustainable development goals.
