By C J Singh, COO, Wave City

The future of green buildings in India

Holding an MBA degree from the University Business School, Punjab, Singh has held significant positions in companies such as Berger Paints, Shalimar Paints, and SABMiller in the past. He stands out for his expert marketing and managerial experience in the real estate domain.

India is ranked among the top five countries in the world with the largest green building footprint. Green buildings can scale back water and energy consumption by fifty percent, thus making them a popular choice for traditional and Gen Z homebuyers and investors.

In fact cities like NCR, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune & Mumbai have shown a whopping 31 percent increase in green buildings, according to the findings of 2022 CBRE South East Asia report.

More than constructing just eco-friendly structures, Green buildings in Indian real estate are about creating sustainable communities that blend with Mother Nature and democratize the quality of life for all by minimizing the carbon footprints

What are Green Buildings?

A green building or smart home is the future of residential living as it leave a sustainable impact on the environment and its occupants. Today, developers are extremely mindful of using sustainable materials to create these green homes.

This has led to the usage of recycled materials, responsible manufacturing, and waste management by developers. Now, homes are being built using recycled plastic lumber for decks, recycled plastic formwork instead of plywood, non-polluting organic chemicals for joints and adhesives, organic paints and sealants. Even practices like upcycling shipping containers to create eco-friendly living spaces or décor, are gaining ground with both consumers and developers as besides reducing carbon emissions and scaling down waste and material disposal, green buildings gives a competitive advantage.

According to a report shared by Anarock, green buildings can save 20-30% of energy and water, and significantly reduce waste generation through extensive recycling

Some of the key benefits of green buildings are: 

Water Conservation: By recycling extensively, green buildings can reduce their energy consumption by 20-30%, water consumption by 30-50%, and waste generation by significantly reducing waste generation.

Energy efficiency and lower bills: Smart homes spell glad tidings for the pocket because electricity and water bills tend to go up during the summer months. This subsequently, leads to a higher usage of air conditioners thereby inflating bills more than usual. It’s the opposite scenario in green homes as these are built using sustainable materials, designed to provide maximum cooling. Green homes also use motion sensor lights that automatically switch on and off upon motion detection. Apart from this, green homes also offer other technologies like automatic blinds, water-saving mechanisms, solar panels, intelligent thermostats, and energy-efficient appliances. Also, sensor lights or smart lighting coupled with automated climate control, installation and use of smart appliances and devices like geysers, solar panels, usage of sustainable materials with eco-friendly practices and designing are leading to 30 percent reduction in energy consumption. They also regulate temperature remotely and provide other conveniences for a more seamless and integrated quality of life.

Pure air indoors: Construction operations have the potential to introduce various contaminants, such as dust particles and chemical substances, into the indoor spaces. Indoor pollution can be greatly reduced if sustainable and environmentally friendly materials are used, and HVAC systems and energy-efficient windows are installed.

By leveraging voice-activated technologies like Alexa and others, smart homes or green homes are helping us automate manual tasks thus streamlining daily routines. These systems not only reduce the need for physical interaction but also enhance efficiency and productivity, especially in remote work settings. Whether it's adjusting the temperature, controlling lighting, or enabling hands-free devices, smart homes offer intelligent solutions that create a more convenient and responsive living environment.

With the nation committed to zero carbon emissions by 2070, green buildings in the real estate sector will play a significant role in achieving this target.