– By K Satyanarayana
A journey that began in 2023 has the potential to not only reshape the future of our country but also serve as a global source of inspiration. The Achievable Action Plan for Net-Zero Carbon Buildings is a groundbreaking initiative strategically positioned to initiate a paradigm shift in our nation’s construction industry.
Currently, a considerable 30% of India’s overall energy consumption is attributed to our buildings, thereby substantially contributing to our energy requirements. It is also critical to underscore the severity of the situation, as they account for a disconcerting 30% of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, this initiative represents a forward-thinking endeavour with a supreme aim: to accomplish net-zero carbon structures by 2070 and a 50% reduction in carbon emissions from our buildings prior to 2030.
A Charter for the Future
A number of crucial initiatives at the heart of this ambitious project are:
1. Energy Efficiency: One of the fundamental pillars upon which our pursuit of sustainability rests is the advocacy for energy efficiency. By implementing novel energy codes and standards, we are establishing the foundation for a significant paradigm shift. Moreover, we provide incentives for building proprietors and occupants to adopt energy-saving retrofits. This matters not only for altering structures but also for reducing our carbon footprint and improving our lives.
2. Renewable Revolution: A clean and renewable energy revolution is imminent; we stand at the threshold of a new era. By becoming an essential component of our buildings, rooftop solar panels and other cutting-edge technologies will lay the foundation for a sustainable energy future. Our goal is to generate energy for our structures using the magnificent forces of nature.
3. Adoption of Sustainable Building Practices: Our architectural design incorporates a transition towards sustainable principles. This entails advocacy for environmentally friendly materials and sustainable building methodologies. This is not merely a transition; rather, it signifies a dedication to resource conservation and implementing an ethical construction methodology. Our commitment to sustainability forms the basis of our overarching vision.
4. Cultural Transformation: Besides the tangible elements, the Action Plan recognises the importance of an epistemological shift. There is an urgent appeal for building owners and occupants alike to acknowledge their critical responsibility in advocating for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Awareness-raising is critical to our success. It involves adopting a new lifestyle in which sustainability is a fundamental principle.
The Making of a Greener India
The potential positive consequences of implementing the action plan are truly revolutionary.
1. Decreased Carbon Emissions: By implementing substantial reductions in carbon emissions from the construction industry, we are not only fulfilling our climate change obligations but also making a substantial contribution towards diminishing our reliance on fossil fuels. Our strategic objective is to ensure a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape in the future.
2. Improved Air Quality and Human Health: Construction sites have historically contributed to air pollution in our country. Our endeavour to achieve air cleanliness contributes to improving public health and overall welfare. It is essentially about providing a breath of fresh air.
3. Economic Transformation: This initiative serves as a potent catalyst for economic growth and its climate-related objectives. According to projections, the adoption of renewable and energy-efficient technologies will produce an additional 1.2 million employment opportunities by the year 2030. Our vision is a flourishing economy in which sustainability propels expansion.
4. Economic Benefits: A noteworthy advantage of our dedication to energy efficiency is significant cost savings. According to a study by the World Green Building Council, annual energy cost savings will amount to INR 3.1 lakh crore (equivalent to USD 40 billion) by 2030. In addition to financial benefits, these savings indicate the beginning of a green, sustainable economy.
An Insight into the Future
The Action Plan for Net-Zero Carbon Buildings boasts monumental significance due to critical data points that highlight its visionary nature and potential to reshape the future of India. The building sector, accounting for an estimated 30% of India’s overall energy consumption, is leading in this paradigm shift. The International Energy Agency forecasts energy consumption will double by 2040, signifying the sector’s impending accelerated expansion.
The Government of India has established the formidable objective of attaining carbon neutrality by 2070. The “Net-Zero Carbon Buildings in India: A Roadmap for 2030” report by TERI offers recommendations for government, industry, and civil society as a comprehensive guide to achieving this goal.
In the interim, World GBC’s “Advancing Net Zero Status Report 2023” highlights worldwide advancements in net-zero carbon buildings, with India serving as a case study that provides valuable insights. The aforementioned data points underscore not only the critical nature of the mission but also its capacity to effect significant change domestically and globally.
Private Sector and Public Sector Collaboration
The Indian Government has adopted a proactive approach by announcing significant financial incentives to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in buildings. Particularly noteworthy is a substantial subsidy of up to 40% towards installing photovoltaic panels on the rooftops of commercial and residential structures. The Government has acknowledged and wholeheartedly concurs with the significance of our vision.
Furthermore, private enterprises are collaborating in pursuit of this sustainable future objective. By 2030, certain organisations, including Infosys, aim to have achieved net-zero carbon emissions. The organisation is allocating resources towards the implementation of energy-efficient measures, including intelligent building management systems and rooftop solar and wind power, in addition to renewable energy technologies. This partnership is crucial to the realisation of our ultimate goal.
The Seed of an Ambition
The Action Plan for Net-Zero Carbon Buildings in India represents a definitive change in our conceptualisation of infrastructure, energy consumption, and ecological concerns. With the establishment of this vision, India is not only meeting its climate obligations but also paving the way for a more promising, sustainable, and prosperous future. Our aspiration transcends physical infrastructure and encompasses shifting perspectives, establishing unprecedented benchmarks for sustainability and galvanising an international movement.
Our vision is to see India emerge as a green powerhouse in the economic sector, with its buildings serving as emblems of innovation and the air embodying pure energy. We foresee us, Indians, embodying the torchbearers of a sustainable global community. The idea of achieving net-zero carbon buildings in India is the realisation of our dream, and the entire world is observing.
(K Satyanarayana is the managing director at Starworth Infrastructure and Construction Ltd, a subsidiary of Puravankara Limited.)
(Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of Financial Express Online. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.)