How India can come within the top 50 Sustainable development countries within 1 year?

Co-authored by Sagar Gursahani

Sustainable Development was once discussed as an emerging trend, now it’s a true priority. Any development must balance social, economic as well as environmental sustainability. Sustainable Development is the development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations.

As per the Sustainable development Goals (SDG) Index 2020, India has been ranked 117th in the index out of 193 United Member countries. India is facing major challenges in 10 of the 17 development goals including zero hunger, good health, gender inequality, etc. We will discuss these sustainable development goals in the article below. 

When it comes to the real estate industry, it consumes about 40% of the total energy and over half of the world’s major non-renewable resources. It is extremely imperative and urgent to boost the use of green materials in the industry to bring about Sustainable development. The green buildings are the need of the hour to optimize energy efficiency, using less water, conserving natural resources, and generating less waste, thus turning it into a healthier space for the occupants. Green buildings or sustainable buildings use resources more efficiently, generate lesser emissions, and produce less waste than conventional buildings. 

Role of LEED

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is playing a phenomenal role in sustainable development across the globe. It is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and is a globally recognized standard for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings and provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings.

 A LEED certification is one of the most coveted documents and most of the Multinational and Fortune 500 companies strive hard to understand LEED and occupy LEED-certified buildings. Various projects can be rated as one of four LEED rating levels: certified, silver, gold, and platinum.

LEED is for all building types and all building phases, including new construction, interior fit-outs, operations and maintenance, and core and shell[1]. The properties certified by LEED are resource-efficient, reduce emissions, and save money in the long run. In India, almost 40 construction projects are currently registered with the LEED.

ICONIC PROJECTS

Some of the Iconic Projects that are sustainable and set a benchmark for green buildings in India are: 

ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon 

ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon has been spread over 1,80,000 sq feet that have been designed keeping in mind the highest environmental standards and has been awarded Platinum Green Building rating by USGBC-LEED. It is the first corporate house in India to bag this award and has set a benchmark for green buildings in India. The key features of this building include: 

• Made up of bricks and concrete comprising of fly-ash.
• Equipped with high-efficiency equipment that reduces 53 percent energy consumption over a conventional building and 40 percent potable water requirements.
• Zero water discharge, solar thermal technology, stormwater management system, reflective high-albedo roof paint, minimal exterior lighting, and separate smoking rooms with an exhaust system. 

Suzlon ‘One Earth’, Pune

Has received a platinum certification of LEED. Some of the key features of the building are:

• Low energy materials that reduce carbon footprint,
• 90 percent of the occupied space of the building has access to natural daylight  
• The exterior of the building uses renewable energy-based LED street lighting, which reduces approximately 25 percent of the total power. 
• The ventilation system consists of jet fans that save 50 percent energy by pushing out stale air and bringing in the fresh air. 

PATNI (i-GATE) Knowledge center, NOIDA

The building is located in suburban Noida, is built over 4,60,000 sq feet, and has been awarded the prestigious LEED Platinum rating. It has features like:

•  It captures daylight for 75 percent of the occupied interiors.
• About 50 percent of the area is reserved for open green space
• It contains efficient water management practices like rainwater harvesting, solar water heating, and drip irrigation
• 100 percent sewage is treated and recycled water is used to cool the tower makeup, gardening, and flushing

ABN Amro Bank Ahmedabad

ABN Amro, Ahmedabad is a highly respected banking partner for retail, private, commercial, corporate, and financial institution clients. It has received Platinum certification of LEED and has various features mentioned below:

• Provision of bicycle parking spaces along with changing room and shower to promote the use of alternative transportation thereby reducing the environmental pollution
• Provision of a thermally comfortable environment that supports the productivity and well-being of all building occupants
• High-efficiency water system design resulting in water use reduced by over 30%
• Provision of Space for Storage and collection of  Recyclable Materials Such As Paper, Glass, Plastic, Metals, and Establishment Of Contracts With Recycling Agents.
• Good Management of Construction Waste Diverting Over 90% of The Waste Generated At Site To Other Purposes and Preventing disposal of waste in landfills
• Utilization Of Buildings Materials With High Recycled Content To Reduce Virgin Material Exploitation

Extensive use of rapidly renewable materials to reduce the use and depletion of finite raw materials and long-cycle renewable materials[2].

Sustainable development is the way forward

Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want. It offers a framework to generate economic growth, achieve social justice, exercise, environmental stewardship as well as strengthen governance. The growth rate of real estate industry in India was estimated to be 11.2 percent from fiscal year 2015 to 2020. The non-renewable resources must be utilized judiciously and focus should now be shifted on renewable resources because the future of our planet depends on how we use non-renewable resources today.

There are many benefits to developing eco-friendly properties, such as tax incentives, happier clients, and investors. However, the larger societal concerns such as resource scarcity and climate change are the biggest benefit.

LEED is the biggest indicator and would be very helpful in developing sustainable buildings in the future. As per the 2009 Green Building Market and Impact Report, LEED has helped in sustainable development in the following manner.

• Annual CO2 savings from LEED buildings was estimated to be approximately 2.9 million tons from energy efficiency and renewables. 
• Total water savings from LEED was estimated at 15 billion gallons, composed of 0.5 percent of annual non-residential water use. 
• Over 60 percent of construction and demolition waste was diverted from LEED projects, totaling 25 million tons to date and is expected to reach almost 800 million cumulative tons by 2030[3].

As per Barbara Knoflach, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas Real Estate, green or sustainable properties generally improve returns and future proof the value of real estate investments. Properties that comply with sustainable development norms have lower operating expenses, voids, and can generate higher rents[4]. 

Sustainable development Goals                              

The Sustainable Development Goals, also known as Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member states in 2015 for ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. The United Nations members have decided around 17 goals and these Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. 

These goals are for all nations, developed, developing, and least developed and every member country to United Nation is primarily responsible for implementing the goals and targets till 2030. 

When it comes to the real estate industry, Goal 9 and 11 of Sustainable development Goals are applicable. 

Goal 9 deals with building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.  Goal 9 deals with inclusive and sustainable industrialization, together with innovation and infrastructure, can unleash dynamic and competitive economic forces that generate employment and income. There is an imperative need to promote sustainable industries, investing in scientific research and innovation which facilitates sustainable development.

Goal 11Building Sustainable cities and communities By 2050, the number of people living in cities will have nearly doubled from 3.6 billion in 2011 to more than 6 billion. Most of the cities in India lack facilities like clean water, electricity, and, other resources essential to support the population. It’s high time the countries focus on building Sustainable cities and improving poverty reduction, employment opportunities, education, crime reduction, improving health. 

The sustainable cities are the need of the hour where public transportation is robust and free of fossil fuels, buildings are constructed with sustainable materials and incorporate public green spaces, streets are walkable and have places to rest as well as socialize, all citizens have access to safe and affordable housing, and the growth of the cities must not be destructive to the surrounding natural environment. 

Which government policy is in line with Sustainable development?

 Some of the Indian government policies in line with Sustainable development are:  

1.     National Clean Air Programme

2.     National Policy on Resource Efficiency

3.     National Manufacturing policy

4.     Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana

5.     Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation(AMRUT)

6.     India’s Smart Cities Mission

1.     National Clean Air Programme

The National Clean Air Programme was launched by the government in 2019. The main aim of the program is a 20-30 % reduction in air pollution (PM 2.5 – PM10) concentration by 2024. A total of 102 cities have been chosen as non- attainment cities on the basis of their ambient air quality data 

2.     National Policy on Resource Efficiency (RE)

National policy on Resource Efficiency outlines the need to promote responsible production and consumption. The aim is to double the recycling rate of key resource materials to 50% in the next five years and enable the upcycling of waste.

3.     National Manufacturing policy

National Manufacturing Policy has been created to focus on sustainable job creation in partnership with sub-national governments. The main objective is to enhance the share of the manufacturing sector in GDP to 25% and to create 100 million jobs by 2022.

4.     Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) aims to achieve its objective of “Housing for all” by 31 March 2022 by constructing 20 million houses across the nation and provide affordable houses to the urban poor.

5.     Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation(AMRUT)

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation has been made with an aim to establish the infrastructure that could ensure adequate robust sewage networks, provide basic civil amenities and water supply to the urban areas so as to improve the quality of life with a major focus towards poor and the disadvantaged

6.     India’s Smart Cities Mission

The objective of India’s Smart Cities Mission is to develop smart cities across the country, promote sustainable and inclusive cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to citizens, sustainable environment, and ‘smart’ solutions. 

Innovative Technologies used while opting Sustainable Development

As discussed in the earlier paragraphs, the construction industry is responsible for a large percentage of carbon emissions. Innovations like the concept of smart buildings and smart technologies have not only made the buildings very sustainable but have boosted safety, curbed the costs, and have minimized the construction timelines.  Moreover, it has reduced the production of carbon dioxide, improved the building’s longevity, reduced energy bills, and increased the use of natural light.

Some of the innovative ideas and materials are given below

1)     Transparent wood: In research by Swedish researchers, it has been found that Transparent wood is lightweight but extremely strong as natural wood and can be an eco-friendly alternative to glass as well as plastic. Additionally, it is biodegradable and doesn’t cause harm to the environment. 

2)     Bamboo: Bamboo is very sustainable without compromising on durability. The Bamboo reinforced concrete is resistant to earthquakes, and also absorbs CO2.

3)     Cigarette butts: Cigarette butts can be added to the bricks making process reduces waste as well as reduces the time and energy needed to bake them. 

4)     Hydro-gel: One of the research studies has stated that the use of hydrogel to create walls can reduce the use of air conditioners as hydrogel made walls can cool themselves. The hydrogel bubbles are placed in between the ceramic panels that can be installed into existing walls which can reduce the temperate by 5 degrees Celsius. 

5)     Hydrophobic cement: Scientists have developed superhydrophobic cement which can absorb as well as reflect the light. This cement can reduce the energy that the traditional cement consumes. Additionally, the cement is more durable and can last up to 100 years. 

6)     Breathe bricks: Breathe bricks can be used to build walls by putting a cyclone inside the wall. The cyclone filter spins the air and gets rid of any particular matter that causes pollution.

7)     LED and OLED lights: LED and OLED lighting are used to drastically reduce the amount of energy used to light up structures. LEDs use only 10 percent of the energy used by incandescent light and 50 percent of fluorescent lights and also last 40 times longer. 

Developers are utilizing other innovations too, like waterproof roof products that prevent the buildings from deterioration, pumps which provide 40 percent more energy than conventional pumps, or  UPVC doors and windows, which reduces external noise, prevents seepage of water even during heavy rains, and provides excellent insulation that results in lower energy bills due to effective air-conditioning. 

[1] https://www.usgbc.org/help/what-leed

[2] https://www.kga.co.in/abn-amro-bank.php

[3]https://www.greenbiz.com/article/leed-and-future-green-building

[4] https://www.realestate.bnpparibas.com/sustainable-investment-future-real-estate