Sustainable construction:

Dr. Anil Kashyap
President, Chancellor, NICMAR University Pune & Hyderabad

How are we gearing up?

Sustainable construction is the need of the hour, not just for India but globally. From melting glaciers to the rise in sea levels, the impacts of global warming are seen everywhere. Climate change is an urgent and widespread global challenge that is accelerating and intensifying. With the global impact of this phenomenon being felt, reducing the rising levels of carbon dioxide emissions has become an urgent issue that needs to be addressed.

Sustainable construction has emerged as a viable alternative that reduces environmental impact and improves social and economic benefits. In 2021, the market value of green buildings reached $20,983 million. As per the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) annual list, India ranked third in the world and has emerged as one of the leading countries to adopt green and sustainable buildings and developments.

What is sustainability in construction?

Sustainability in construction refers to the planning, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition of buildings and infrastructure in a way that minimises their negative impact on the environment and promotes economic viability. Sustainable construction is also known as green building, green construction or sustainable building.

In other words, sustainable construction involves integrating sustainable strategies and principles throughout the entire life cycle of a construction project. The objective of sustainable construction is to reduce its impact on our environment.

Why is there a need for sustainability in construction?

India, the most populous country in the world, is home to over a billion people leading to rampant urbanisation. Because of the rapidly increasing population, there has been a growing demand for construction, leading to unsustainable construction practices.

Sustainability in construction is the need of the hour as the construction industry is a massive consumer of natural resources and raw materials and generates a significant amount of carbon emissions. In fact, the carbon footprint of the construction sector is significant. As per research, the construction sector accounts for about 37% of total global energy-related CO₂ emissions and 69% of those emissions come from operating and using existing buildings.

Thus, sustainability in construction is paramount as it can help reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector by using renewable and recyclable resources and materials, protecting the natural environment and reducing waste and energy consumption.

Many people in India still have not taken the environmental impact seriously. However, there can be enormous opportunities for the industry to drive positive change.

India's initiatives for sustainable construction

India has made several initiatives for sustainable construction in recent years. One of these initiatives is the responsible disposal of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste material. The first C&D Waste Processing Plant was established in Burari, New Delhi, in 2012, and its success has ignited an evolution in the way waste materials are treated.

The Indian government has also made considerable strides on its path to sustainability. Agencies like GRIHA - Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (2007), adopted as the national green building rating system, and the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC, 2001) were brought about to support energy efficiency and conservation in construction.

India's green building market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with estimates projecting to reach between $30-40 billion by 2030. This growth is expected to create an investment opportunity of $1.4 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC). As a result, many startups are seizing this opportunity and working to reduce the construction industry's carbon footprint by providing green solutions.

One initiative that supports these startups is the AGNIi Mission. This flagship program is an initiative of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India and falls under the Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). The mission actively supports startups that provide sustainable and cost-effective innovative solutions in green construction.

Challenges for achieving sustainability in construction

Several challenges exist in India when trying to achieve sustainability in construction. One such challenge is that there are currently no incentives for building sustainable homes or commercial spaces. This can make it challenging for the housing industry to be eco-friendly, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where there is a lack of awareness and administrative support.

Other challenges that India faces is a lack of skilled human resources availability, reluctant client, and a lack of knowledge of sustainable technology and operation by professionals. However, sustainable living is becoming more popular in India's real estate industry due to the rise of green buildings.

How is NICMAR helping India meet its sustainability goals?

We at NICMAR focus on building a community of thinkers, dreamers, innovators and pushers. We aim to provide an environment that is powered by innovation, high-impact research and sustainability and effectiveness. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to help build a sustainable future for the construction industry.

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