Page 9 - ICJ-March-2021

INTERACTIONS

CREATING RESPONSIBLE INNOVATIONS

Question 1: Compared to Global Initiatives, how would you
benchmark the status of sustainability initiatives in India?
Answer: Sustainability and sustainable development are
trending topics of 21 century. Sustainability initiatives at global B. N. Mohapatra
st
level and in India too is being benchmarked and assessed within
framework of trivet structure of triple bottom line philosophy. to fulfil all the development needs of the country. Therefore,
This is a holistic approach to approach to sustainability and government is ensuring active participation of all stakeholders.
sustainable development under which an country or an
organization works for people, prosperity and planet (3P) to Question 2: Are you seeing any sustainability trends impacting
make itself socially, economically and environmentally (or the construction business in India?
ecologically) sustainable. Answer: The Indian government has made considerable

Economic growth of the India can’t be ensured without strides on its path to sustainability and paid attention to the
addressing our social and environmental priorities. In order construction sector. Agencies like GRIHA – Green Rating for
to create a better and more sustainable future for all and to Integrated Habitat Assessment (2007), adopted as the national
achieve sustainability at social, economic and environmental green building rating system, and the Indian Green Building
front, India has taken holistic and integrated approach in its Council (IGBC, 2001), were brought about to support energy
policies and programs related to sustainable development, efficiency and conservation in construction. According to the
climate change, resource efficiency and air and water pollution. IGBC, India holds the second largest registered Green Building
Policies, programs and strategies formulated and implemented footprint (3.59 billion sqft), second only to the U.S.A. India has
by the Government of India are in line with the 17 Sustainable also joined the UN Paris Agreement for Climate Change and in
Development Goals (SDGs) and agenda 2030 of United Nations. 2016 announced its first 20 Smart Cities, pledging to propel the
country in the direction of sustainable and smart development.
Government of India initiatives in the direction of achieving The government has also incentivized going green for builders
SDGs includes Swachh Bharat mission, Beti Bacho Beti Padhao, and consumers by offering discounts and other benefits.
Pradhan Mantri AwasYojana, Smart Cities, Pradhan Mantri
Jan Dhan Yojana, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana However, in India, there are no incentives for building
and Pradhan Mantri UjjwalaYojana etc. The Namami Gange sustainable homes or commercial spaces, and the construction
Mission is a key policy priority of India towards achieving the industry, in particular, faces several challenges while trying to
SDG-6 (clean water and sanitation.). Major components include be eco-friendly. The public, especially in the rural and semi-
sewerage project management, urban and rural sanitation, urban areas, believe that it is extremely expensive, largely
tackling industrial pollution, water use efficiency and quality because of a lack of awareness and administrative support.
improvement, ecosystem conservation and Clean Ganga Fund, However, sustainable living is slowly taking centre stage in the
among others. Government of India has launched a National real estate industry in India because of the advent of green
Clean Air Programme in 2019 as a pan-India time bound national buildings. The aim is to create natural and healthy living spaces
level strategy for prevention, control and abatement of air for the Indian consumers through buildings that have a long
pollution besides augmenting the air quality monitoring network service life and high performance by maximizing recycling of
across the country. materials and minimizing environmental impact. Slowly but
steadily, more and more people will be opting for green homes
India has harmonized its National Policy on Resource Efficiency since these homes promote sustainable living and promise a far
(RE) as a major tool to meet the resource needs of the country, better future for the people and the environment.
at the least possible cost to the environment.
In considering sustainable practices that construction industry
India stands at 11 position in global country ranking and of India must adopt, an analysis is required for each stage
th
accounts for 33% of the Certified Climate Bonds by number of construction. And for this we need to have a grade based
in emerging markets in line with Paris Agreement which certification system or a comprehensive plan for sustainable
emphasizes the role of climate finance in strengthening the construction of every structure in country such as : A) Planning,
global response to climate change.
design and specifications, B) Current Practices in Construction
India is one sixth of the global community, our development Industry, C) Material Conservation and Selection, D) Use of
needs are enormous. Government initiatives are not sufficient Construction Demolition and recycled Material, E) Energy

THE INDIAN CONCRETE JOURNAL | MARCH 2021 9