India has always been in the forefront of sustainability innovations

- P. Gopalakrishnan

Managing Director, Southeast Asia and Middle East, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)

How is sustainability gaining prominence in building construction?

Sustainable construction aims to improve life cycle performance of buildings. The real estate and construction industries are focusing strongly on sustainable planning and design. Real estate developers and builders are powering their operations partly or fully with renewable energy and are using sustainable construction materials such as wood, green cement, and alternative bricks made using wool and mud. They are also using sustainable concrete made from recyclable materials and plastics as a substitute for traditional concrete. All such steps significantly reduce carbon emissions.

What are the major sustainability practices emerging in India?

In recent years, India has taken big strides in the development of renewable energy. Switching to solar power is one of the most efficient sustainable practices gaining momentum in India. India has also taken steps to control plastic pollution; these include banning single-use plastic and strengthening extended producer responsibility (EPR). India has also committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by the year 2030. Furthermore, India's movement for a Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) is now in the global spotlight as a premier initiative for nurturing a 'pro-planet people'. It is emerging as a viable policy for addressing climate change by focusing on reducing consumption at an individual level.

How do you view the building design trends changing with respect to LEED and sustainability?

Green buildings, like those that are LEED-certified, are a global solution for cities, communities and neighbourhoods. The tangible benefits may not be easily recognizable for tenants or visitors, but the sustainable design, construction and operations of green buildings significantly reduce carbon emissions, energy and waste, conserve water, prioritize safer materials, and lower people's exposure to toxins. LEED-certified green buildings thus positively impact our health.

At work, improving the indoor air quality can reduce absenteeism as well as health issues such as asthma, respiratory allergies, depression, and stress among employees. Many employees have self-reported improvements in productivity. Existing buildings comprise the largest segment of the built environment, and building owners are starting to realise the importance of employing sustainable measures for energy management, water conservation, waste diversion, and using sustainable materials and resources. As LEED-certified projects use less energy and water, they yield monthly savings on utilities and maintain their value over time.

How do you compare the sustainability and green initiatives in India viz-a-viz globally?

India is ranked third in the world in terms of LEED certifications. In India, these certifications cover a wide range of segments, including offices, manufacturing facilities, hotels, retail, educational campuses, warehouses, airports, metro stations, and data centres. Among the highlights from last year, ITC Windsor Manor became the first hotel in the world to achieve LEED Zero certification, while DLF Cyberpark achieved the largest footprint of private developer space under LEED Zero Water certification.

India, as a country, has always been in the forefront of sustainability innovations.  When we launched the technology platform to track the sustainability performance of the building, Indian projects were the early adopters and now India ranks No. 2 in terms of projects globally tracking the sustainability performance. Indian projects are not only exploring the LEED Zero concepts for their operating buildings, but also working towards designing the building to achieve the net zero levels.

How important is the concept of going green in commercial and residential projects?

Residential and commercial projects should go green in the interest of reducing their energy, water waste, and carbon footprints and enhancing the living experiences for the people who occupy these spaces. The importance of the health-and-wellness factor in projects cannot be overstated. From energy usage to emissions, the construction industry has a huge impact on the environment. Adopting green and sustainable construction methods significantly reduces this impact. Developers are constructing net-zero buildings, i.e., buildings whose energy consumption is approximately equal to their energy output. Such projects use energy-efficient technologies like geothermal air conditioning, LED lighting, and solar panels. They help conserve natural resources and yield benefits such as reduction in energy and water consumption by 20-30%.

The end-users, particularly the Millennials and Generation Z are more inclined towards sustainable living and practices. This includes buying sustainable products, choosing the employer who has committed to sustainable built-environment, etc. This has created huge impact amongst the corporate/ developer community to adopt green practices in their commercial/residential projects.

What are the challenges in sourcing green materials for building construction in India?  

Presently, there are few challenges in sourcing sustainable building materials in India.  However, GBCI has initiated awareness amongst the product manufacturers in going for sustainability during the production of the material.  In fact, LEED rating program has earmarked specific credits to projects using products which has Health Product Declaration and Environmental Product Declaration. This has triggered product manufacturers to explore EPD/HPD for their products. Few of the manufacturers including Saint-Gobain, Welspun Flooring, Tata Steel, etc. have gone for EPD/HPD for their products.

What are the future trends of sustainable solutions and its role in India?

In this age of technological advancement and innovations, India has enormous potential for substantially reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Green buildings are a powerful means of curtailing negative impact on the environment by optimising the consumption of water, energy, and natural resources. There is increasing focus on the use of smart, human-centric technologies for ensuring better workplace management and employee well-being. Intelligent controls can be employed to monitor indoor aspects such as lighting, thermal comfort, and air quality. Several innovations are underway in this direction.

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