The Indian real estate sector is witnessing a significant paradigm shift as developers increasingly pivot towards constructing green buildings, recognising their pivotal role in mitigating climate change and fostering sustainable urbanisation. With buildings globally accounting for nearly 40% of carbon emissions, reducing their environmental footprint through smart design, sustainable procurement, efficient technologies, and robust policy support has become an imperative.
This industry-wide commitment is driving innovation in material selection and construction practices, paving the way for zero-net carbon, eco-friendly, gender-neutral, and equitable cities across India. A crucial aspect of green building development lies in the judicious selection and application of materials. Namrata Nulwalla, ESG & Sustainability Head at Rustomjee Group, highlights the prioritisation of materials with credible third-party green certifications such as IGBC GreenPro, FSC for wood, and GREENGUARD for low-emission products. The elimination of high VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content materials ensures superior indoor air quality and enhances occupant well-being. Rustomjee has also initiated Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) in select projects like Belle-Vie to deepen their understanding of embodied carbon and resource impact, signalling a data-driven approach to sustainable construction.
Sandeep Jain, Director at Arkade Developers, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the use of recycled steel, sustainably sourced timber, and low-VOC paints to minimise environmental impact without compromising quality. Beyond material selection, Arkade Developers rigorously monitors suppliers for responsible practices and prioritises waste management during construction, demonstrating a holistic commitment to sustainability. Similarly, PK Mishra, VP, Planning & Procurement at Sattva Group, notes the early integration of green material selection during the design phase and active engagement with manufacturers of innovative materials like bio-based insulation and carbon-sequestering concrete, facilitating access to cutting-edge green technologies.
Raman Sapru, Director of Design & Engineering at K Raheja Corp, underlines the importance of utilising regional materials to curtail transport-related emissions, reinforcing the concept of localisation in sustainable development. Their construction practices incorporate low-carbon alternatives such as concrete made with fly ash and Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS), alongside high-performance insulation to significantly improve energy efficiency. Sainath Bhonsle, Sr. GM, Commercial Design Head at Century Real Estate, further illustrates this commitment by favouring materials sourced within 100 miles and those with recycled content, coupled with a remarkable diversion of over 75% of construction waste from landfills. Their procurement policy is explicitly integrated into project specifications, aligning with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) MR (Materials & Resources) and EQ (Environmental Quality) credit requirements. Abhijeet Gawde, Head of Business Development & Marketing, Construction Business, Godrej Enterprises Group, showcases a circular economy approach by recycling concrete debris into prefabricated products like building blocks and pavers, showcasing tangible steps towards waste reduction and resource recovery.
Beyond material choices, reducing pollution across the building lifecycle is paramount. Neeraj K Mishra, Executive Director at Ganga Realty, advocates a three-pronged strategy: sustainable design, efficient operations, and smart demolition. Post-construction, the focus shifts to energy-efficient systems, solar power integration, rainwater harvesting, and robust green cover to minimise operational emissions. He stresses the need for urban planning and building codes to evolve and mandate such practices, ensuring long-term environmental benefits. Rohan Khatau, Director at CCI Projects, highlights that each project is an opportunity to improve, starting with smarter designs that maximise natural light and insulation, thereby reducing energy consumption, and concurrently minimizing waste through the utilization of recyclable or reusable materials.
Passive design strategies are also gaining traction. R Santhoshkumar, VP, Projects at DRA, emphasizes optimizing natural ventilation, daylighting, and thermal mass to substantially reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling. He points to durable, low-embodied carbon alternatives like bamboo, hempcrete, and cross-laminated timber. While green buildings may initially incur a 5-6% higher cost, Avneesh Sood, Director at Eros Group, points out that they deliver up to 16.9% in operational savings within five years. Government incentives, including tax benefits and fast-track approvals for IGBC-certified projects, are effectively lowering the affordability barrier, especially for middle-income homebuyers, making eco-friendly homes like Eros Group’s Sampoornam not only sustainable but also cost-effective to maintain. Siddharth Vasudevan Moorthy, MD, Vascon Engineers, highlights ongoing innovation in clean replacements for fossil fuels for construction equipment, signifying a holistic approach to decarbonising the entire construction process.
The concerted efforts by these developers underscore a transformative phase in India’s real estate sector. By embracing green building principles, they are not only meeting evolving regulatory demands but also responding to a heightened consumer awareness of environmental responsibility. This shift towards sustainable construction practices is critical for India’s urban centres to achieve their zero-net carbon aspirations, creating healthier, more equitable, and resilient living and working environments for future generations.
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