India has been the beneficiary of the growing climatic imbalance. Driven by rising global temperatures, the country has suffered from severe heat waves, erratic monsoons, flash floods, tropical cyclones and increasing sea levels. While few of these changes are irreversible, immediate and effective action can curb greenhouse gas emissions. As a developing country, India cannot reverse its development goals. However, it can develop sustainable practices to manage emissions. India needs to build a green economy with sustainability at the heart of its development plan.
PM Gati Shakti Yojna: Promotion of infrastructure development
Infrastructure development is the axis of growth for every country. Shying away from this crucial step is like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. Solid infrastructure can connect regions and markets, raise living standards, provide access to education and healthcare, while creating employment opportunities that generate purchasing power in the economy. The government has tried to do the same and build a robust infrastructure through its Central Prime Minister Gati Shakti Yojna. During her budget speech, the Honorable Minister of Finance announced measures to promote a multimodal plan under visionary Prime Minister Gati Shakti Yojna. These infrastructure development programs by Prime Minister Gati Shakti Yojna will propel India into a new age of connectivity where reaching the most remote regions would become much easier. While the government has announced the expansion of the highway network by 25,000km, building roads at such a rapid pace can result in increasing environmental damage. The implementing organizations must ensure that development does not come at the expense of the environment.
Sustainable and resilient infrastructure is key to net zero commitments
India is among the few developing countries that have attempted to reduce emissions through a range of initiatives. India has vowed to be net-zero emitter by 2070 to become a green economy. The Honorable Prime Minister announced a five-point policy called Panchmitra to help India cut its emissions to meet the target. India has committed to increase non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 gigawatts (GW) by 2030; It stated that it aims to meet 50% of its energy needs from non-renewable sources by 2030. The policy goes on to say that the nation pledges to reduce its carbon emissions by one billion tons by 2030. Efforts to reach this milestone would begin now. Reducing the country’s carbon intensity by 45% by 2030 would be the fourth step in the fivefold policy. Finally, India will take all necessary measures to reach the net zero targets. This declaration positions India as an indomitable champion of environmental protection. While the most developed countries are dragging their feet in making the commitment, it is indeed a commendable effort by a developing country. Achieving the goal would require a Herculean effort and all stakeholders would need to commit to their actions to make it happen.
The role of the construction industry
Building is an essential prerequisite for development. Buildings, roads, dams, ports, railways, industrial parks and special economic zones and any other infrastructure development are impossible without construction. While India is still considering introducing a composite green building law, parts of several environmental laws provide rules and regulations that minimize pollution. The United Nations Environment Program report on emissions from construction notes that the segment accounted for 37% of total global emissions despite a 1% reduction. Other construction-related activities accounted for another 10% of energy-related emissions. 1 India’s construction segment accounts for around 22% of the country’s total emissions. If not reduced, pollution from the building and construction sector would become one of the major contributors to the country’s emissions.
The conventional construction methods include several activities that lead to environmental pollution. From the release of particulate matter into the air to the release of excessive heat into the atmosphere and the waste and pollution of water, traditional building practices contribute to environmental problems. While there are several ways and means to reduce emissions from construction, the most effective solution is to use prefabricated materials for construction. Wire mesh solutions, geosynthetics and other rockfill structures can prove extremely useful when it comes to ensuring longevity while reducing on-site effort and pollution when constructing infrastructure.
Using locally sourced materials can increase the sustainability factor and help build green infrastructure. Geosynthetics, geogrids and geocomposites are prefabricated solutions that allow the use of local materials. Walls and roads reinforced with these solutions are durable and sustainable. These walls have a 52-80% lower environmental impact compared to concrete and steel walls.
Incorporating sustainable solutions and green practices into all sectors and segments of the economy can help India’s transition to a green economy. Resilient infrastructure, developed using green building solutions, can accelerate this evolution by leaps and bounds.
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The views expressed above are the author’s own.
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