Decreasingemissions by adopting sustainable practices in the Construction Industry is theneed of the hour, believes Sanjay Gupta.

“Theprospects look promising, with advancements in technology and growingenvironmental consciousness, which are paving the way for a more sustainableconstruction industry.”

-         SanjayGupta,

Chairman and Managing Director, 

APLApollo Tubes Limited.

Theimportance of sustainable practices cannot be overstated, especially in theface of current environmental challenges. Emissions and climate change havebecome pressing global concerns, and the construction sector plays asubstantial role in mitigating these issues.

Asannounced at the COP26 summit, adhering to the ambitious national endeavour of achievingzero emissions by 2070 is now becoming more crucial than ever. So, let usexplore these industry-specific environmental problems and understand somestrategies that can help reduce these emissions, ultimately contributing to agreener future.

Emissions from the Construction Industry

Theconstruction sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gasrelease. According to a report, the construction industry is responsible for 19per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions primarily stem fromenergy consumption, material production, transportation, and the constructionprocess itself.

Inparticular, the use of conventional building materials and energy-intensiveconstruction methods has a considerable carbon footprint. On top of this, thecost of sustainable technologies and a lack of awareness are also standing asstringent barriers. However, the prospects look promising, with advancements intechnology and growing environmental consciousness, which are paving the wayfor a more sustainable construction industry.

Recent developments in Sustainability

Therecent bureaucratic push for sustainability in the form of a carbon tax (for e.g.,the EU's Carbon Tax Regime) has served as a powerful motivator for industriesacross the world to adopt sustainable practices, as non-compliance withemissions reduction targets could result in significant financial penalties.

Thesepolicies are forging an international effort towards combating climate changeand the affirmative role of the construction sector is equally important inthis undertaking. Hence, in the pursuit of this transformation, the buildingand construction industry is causing disruption by adopting methods that aremore eco-friendly.

Hereare a few examples:

Sustainable Building Materials:Recyclable steel and other sustainable building materials offer long-lastinguse which makes them highly environmentally friendly. Moreover, steel'sremarkable versatility allows it to be shaped to suit a wide range ofarchitectural designs, making it an ideal choice for various constructionprojects.

Energy-efficient Construction:Smart building designs areparamount in emission reduction. Energy-efficient buildings not onlysignificantly reduce operational energy consumption, thereby lowering costs butalso emit lower emissions throughout their lifecycle.

Renewable Energy Integration:For internal consumption, incorporating renewable energy sources like solarpanels and wind turbines into building design is another crucial step towards emissionreduction. These sources reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, therebydecreasing the carbon footprint of buildings.

Waste Reduction: The construction industrygenerates large amounts of waste, and their improper disposal adds massively tooverall environmental degradation. By adopting efficient waste management andrecycling practices, the building sector can significantly reduce emissions andenvironmental impact. Additionally, recycling construction materials helpsconserve valuable resources which further decreases the reliance on finite rawmaterials.

Government Incentives: Regulationsthat encourage energy-efficient construction and subsidies for the usage ofsustainable materials can play a significant role in shaping the industry’spractices. Incentives such as tax benefits and grants further encouragedevelopers to embrace green building practices.

Wrapping Up

Theconstruction industry stands as a crucial contributor towards reducing ouremissions. Through the incorporation of innovative solutions, this sector hasthe potential to exert a strong influence on environmental consciousness. Forthe journey ahead, industry players should come together and unite in taking acollective responsibility against climate change to shape a world that is environmentallypure for generations to come.