Sustainable Construction: Hardeep Puri Advocates Integrating Sustainability to Cut Carbon Emissions

Union Minister Hardeep Puri emphasized the urgent need to incorporate sustainability into conventional construction practices to reduce carbon emissions. Addressing the unveiling of the Net Zero Buildings Initiative by the Mahindra Group and Johnson Controls, Puri highlighted that built infrastructure currently accounts for 40% of global energy-related emissions. He stressed the imperative to transition from conventional approaches and integrate sustainability and climate resilience into the entire life cycle of the built environment.

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Cement's Carbon Footprint

Puri drew attention to the significant carbon footprint of cement, a crucial raw material in construction. He revealed that cement alone contributes to approximately 25% of the industry's carbon emissions, generating the highest carbon emissions per dollar of revenue among all industries. This underscores the urgent need to adopt sustainable building materials and techniques.

Sustainability as a Central Government Priority

Puri emphasized that sustainability has been a core principle for the central government. He shared that a substantial portion of the 1.19 crore houses sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban are being constructed using sustainable building materials and techniques. These houses are projected to contribute to a reduction of 9 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions by the end of December 2024.

Net Zero Buildings Initiative: Decarbonizing India's Buildings

The Net Zero Buildings Initiative aims to decarbonize India's commercial, urban residential, and public buildings. This joint initiative between Mahindra Group and Johnson Controls aims to simplify access to essential information and resources, enabling organizations to embark on their net zero buildings journeys.

India's Building Sector: An Environmental and Economic Imperative

According to the International Energy Agency, approximately 75% of India's anticipated 2,040 buildings are yet to be constructed. Given that the building sector accounts for 20% of emissions and over 30% of energy consumption in the country, the transition to smart and sustainable buildings has become an environmental and economic imperative.

Empowering Building Owners with Sustainable Practices

The Net Zero Buildings Initiative offers a comprehensive toolkit and training program, free of cost, to assist building and facility owners in learning about best practices for sustainable buildings. It provides tools to assess building parameters, identify and implement conservation measures, and understand building regulations, incentives, technologies, and financing models in India.

Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

Johnson Controls Chairman and CEO George Oliver highlighted the natural fit between the two companies in developing this unique initiative. He emphasized Johnson Controls' leadership in smart building technology and Mahindra's renowned multi-industry expertise and reach. Mahindra Chief Group Public Affairs Officer and Group Executive Board Member Abanti Sankaranarayanan reiterated the group's understanding of the critical role of collaboration in accelerating a sustainable future, leading to the partnership with Johnson Controls.

Conclusion

The Net Zero Buildings Initiative represents a significant step towards decarbonizing India's building sector. By integrating sustainability into construction practices, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting smart and sustainable buildings, India can pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future.