We would welcome the establishment of emission measurement and reporting parameters to develop standardised carbon emission calculators specific to the construction sector.
Vaishnavi Group - Kishan Govindaraju, Director
As a sector contributing to the Government of India’s Housing for All initiative, it becomes imperative for developers to keep costs in check while offering state-of-the-art projects built sustainably. Here, transitioning to low-carbon construction methods can present several challenges for construction contractors including cost considerations, limited availability of sustainable materials, skills and knowledge gap, regulatory and code compliance along with the integration of new technologies, among others.
There is a thrust on use of renewable energy sources in construction projects, on incorporating water management strategies, and investing in research and development to innovate new sustainable techniques of construction materials. By incorporating these measures into construction practices, we can contribute significantly to India’s climate action strategy and help achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.
Sustainable practices across the value chain
As a leading developer in the country, Vaishnavi Group has effectively ingrained sustainable practices across the value chain over the years and has devised various methods to contribute to India’s climate action strategy and help achieve its goal of net-zero emissions by 2070. It starts with incorporating sustainable design principles into our projects, focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, and use of renewable materials. Similarly, we opt for low-carbon materials and construction techniques that reduce emissions during the construction process. We also explore alternatives to cement such as fly ash and recycled content that have a lower carbon footprint, and we implement sustainable waste management practices, including recycling and reuse of materials.
We design buildings that optimise natural light and ventilation, utilise green building materials, and employ energy-efficient technologies such as solar panels and LED lighting. Other measures include building energy-efficient buildings that minimise energy consumption during both construction and operation phases through use of advanced insulation materials, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and smart building management systems to reduce energy demand and carbon footprint.
Waste as a potential resource
The construction industry can play a crucial role in waste management by adopting practices and technologies that effectively convert waste into valuable resources. At Vaishnavi, we have implemented a robust waste segregation system on our construction sites to separate different types of waste such as wood, concrete, metal, plastic, and packaging materials.
By partnering with recycling facilities, we are ensuring that the segregated waste is properly processed and recycled into new materials or products. This helps reduce the demand for virgin resources and minimises the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Other ways include adopting prefabrication and modular construction techniques that minimise waste generation.
Incentivising emission reductions and promoting sustainable practices through carbon credit policy
Introducing a carbon credit policy specifically tailored for the construction industry can be a beneficial step towards incentivising emission reductions and promoting sustainable practices. Such a policy would recognise the unique characteristics of the construction sector and provide targeted mechanisms to measure and reduce emissions.
The first step in this regard is the establishment of Emission Measurement and Reporting parameters to develop standardised carbon emission calculators specific to the construction sector. By defining baseline emission standards for various construction activities, building types, and project sizes, these standards will serve as reference points to measure emission reductions. Here, it is important to collaborate with construction companies, architects, engineers, and sustainability experts. These calculators should accurately measure emissions throughout the project lifecycle, including construction, operation, and end-of-life phases.
Furthermore, establishing a robust verification and certification process to ensure the accuracy and credibility of emission reduction claims becomes pertinent for its credibility. For this, companies should engage independent third-party auditors or certification bodies to verify emission data and assess the implementation of sustainable practices. Certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) can be used as benchmarks to evaluate the sustainability performance of construction projects.
A centralised body can facilitate coordination and collaboration
In our opinion, establishing a centralised body responsible for overseeing and promoting innovations in the construction industry can be beneficial for addressing the challenges arising from fragmentation and lack of collective incentives. Such a body can play a pivotal role in driving change, fostering collaboration among different stakeholders, and raising awareness about the importance of decarbonization and sustainability.
