In a resolute stride towards environmental sustainability, India is witnessing a burgeoning focus on green infrastructure, notably in the real estate sector. With the spectre of climate change looming large, stakeholders are rallying behind initiatives aimed at mitigating carbon emissions and fostering energy efficiency.
The latest entrant into this arena is the collaborative effort between Mahindra Group and Johnson Controls, heralding the Net Zero Buildings Initiative tailored specifically to decarbonise India’s building landscape. Against the backdrop of India’s ambitious targets outlined in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the significance of this initiative is underscored. With a pledge to slash emissions intensity by 33-35 percent by 2030, juxtaposed with a commitment to derive 40 percent of its installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, India’s trajectory towards net zero by 2070 gains tangible momentum. Cognizant of the pivotal role played by buildings in carbon emissions, stakeholders are zeroing in on this sector, which accounts for a significant chunk of energy consumption and emissions. According to data from the World Green Building Council, buildings are culpable for a staggering 39 percent of global energy-related carbon emissions, with operational and construction-related emissions constituting 28 percent and 11 percent, respectively.
Commenting on the initiative, Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs & Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, “Built infrastructure is responsible for 40 per cent of the global energy-related emissions today, and most of the built environment in India’s cities is yet to be constructed. We must integrate sustainability and climate resilience into the life cycle of the built environment.”
The Net Zero Buildings Initiative epitomises a strategic intervention aimed at empowering organisations, building owners, and facility managers with the requisite knowledge and tools to usher in sustainable practices. As the real estate sector girds its loins to embrace this transition, the imperative of sustainable construction methods and smart building technologies assumes paramount importance. Crucially, this endeavour dovetails seamlessly with India’s burgeoning housing needs, wherein the demand for eco-friendly residences is poised to surge. Echoing projections from the India Energy Outlook 2021, even marginal improvements in energy efficiency, to the tune of 30 percent, could herald substantial electricity savings, potentially amounting to 250 TWh by 2030. Amidst the confluence of environmental imperatives and economic exigencies, the Net Zero Buildings Initiative stands as a beacon of hope, epitomising the symbiotic fusion of environmental stewardship and commercial viability. As India charts its course towards a sustainable future, the edifice of green infrastructure emerges as a cornerstone in this epochal journey.
