Developers must adhere to a number of regulations at the time of construction so that no issues come up at the time of delivery of projects
Growth is inevitable but what is the need of the hour is sustainable growth. Various industries including real estate are contributing towards climate change. Indian real estate is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, contributing nearly 7 per cent of GDP and generating multiplier effects on employment at the same time. It is also responsible for 22 per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Gourav Mohan, CEO, AMRG, says, “In the country, green building practices are regulated through various policies, guidelines, and rating systems. Several codes have been established in India to which developers have to adhere while pursuing projects and getting desired certifications.”
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) was formed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to enable a ‘Sustainable Built Environment for all’.
Green Building: The use of environmentally friendly and sustainable construction materials such as smart bricks, rice husks, and bamboo will drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, and energy conservation.
Sustainable Design: As part of sustainable design and architecture, eco-friendly materials are used, energy efficiency is optimized, renewable energy sources are included, water conservation is promoted, and efficient waste management systems are implemented.
In 2021, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced the Business Responsibility Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) which entails the environmental and sustainable framework for real estate development.
The primary objective of the BRSR is to make every company in India, adhere to and comply with the ESG fundamentals, in order to achieve sustainability, socio-ethical and corporate governance. As per the SEBI’s guidelines, it is mandatory for the top 1000 listed companies in India to submit their BRSR reports.
Dipankar Ghosh, partner and leader, Sustainability and ESG, BDO India, says, “In addition to adhering to building by-laws, codes, and standards, which are the minimum regulatory requirements, builders are increasingly looking into criteria for ‘sustainable’ design, construction, and operations of buildings, through adoption of LEEDS or GRIHA ratings.”
These ratings consider aspects like sustainable materials, energy efficiency, waste management, accessibility, and thus eventually address operational performance of habitat.
Similarly, Sadhav Mishra, partner, SNG & Partners, Advocates & Solicitors, says, “Green buildings reduce waste and carbon dioxide emissions during construction, operation, and demolition phases. As consequence of the Paris Climate Agreement, 2016 and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNCCC) India is also actively participating towards a carbon-free economy.”
The Government of India is taking necessary initiatives in the various sectors inter-alia the RE sector, to minimize carbon footprints and develop sustainability. In order to implement environmentally friendly and sustainable development across the real estate sector, the Government of India has provided several lucrative incentives, which shall attract the promoters/developers to participate in the green building and carbon-free revolution movement.
