The building sector accounts for more than 30 per cent of India’s electricity use, and as Indian cities grow, the energy demand from buildings is sure to surge. India is expected to add 40 billion m² of new building stock by 2050 presenting a huge opportunity to shape more low-carbon cities through energy-efficient buildings.
Building efficiency has been recognised as critical to India’s climate change mitigation strategy and global climate commitments. The adoption of measures such as passive building design, material efficiency, low-carbon materials, efficient building envelopes and low-carbon technologies can go a long way in achieving energy savings in buildings. By capitalising on India’s massive buildings boom, the government can help achieve scale in energy-efficient buildings and slow the growth of emissions.
Over the last decade, India launched several initiatives to promote energy efficiency in the buildings sector. The introduction of the Energy Conversation Building Code for new commercial buildings has been a key measure in this regard. However, code adoption and compliance, largely dependent on states, has had limited success. A stronger focus on integrating thermal comfort in building design is required given that the majority of the households do not have access to cooling. Technology upgrades are also needed. India currently lacks sufficient testing, standardisation and certification for efficient building materials, which can discourage innovation and advances. In addition, most zero-carbon building definitions do not account for embodied energy or carbon calling for a better understanding of new decarbonisation challenges.
Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation seeks to work collaboratively with stakeholders across India including policymakers, civil society and practitioners to promote the uptake of net zero considerations in India's building sector.