Sustainability is the word that is often tossed about and even netizens brag about it on the Internet, but the true essence of this term is lost at times. Well, climate change is raising an alarm as we are reaching the endgame of the climate crisis. On this World Environment Day, it is the need of the hour to “Go Green and Think Green.” Let’s together try to halt and reverse this damage done to our ecosystem in every possible way.
This year’s World Environment Day theme is to ‘Reimagine. Recreate. Restore.’ Well, Square Yards cares for the environment and on this World Environment Day we are here to generate awareness about why there is a need for sustainability in the real estate sector.
It is no secret that the real estate sector is one the biggest utilizers of world resources and a contributor to climate change around the world. As sustainability is no longer an option but the need of the hour, therefore builders and real estate investors should now make green goals part of their business plan. With the exploitation of natural resources beyond scope of regeneration, steering towards the construction of sustainable housing has become a pressing priority. To muddle through the pent-up demand for housing and to address the climate change issue, realty developers and homeowners should take a pledge on this World Environment Day that they will shift their focus towards green housing.
Amidst the novel coronavirus outbreak, it has become all the more important to build sustainable properties by working on the parameters of sustainable construction and design. After all, lockdown and work from home norms have made us realise how badly we are in the need of a green home. Therefore, nudge yourself towards sustainable design, construction and operations because green housing can big-time help in reducing carbon emissions, conserving water and mitigating our exposure to toxins.
Homebuyer’s Contribution in Sustainable Living
With the awareness and change in the mindset among the environment-conscious millennials, demand for green homes is escalating. To protect natural resources, projects that are equipped with solar panels, green surroundings, rainwater harvesting, and effective waste management systems are gaining traction among today’s homebuyers. Although this is a good step towards saving the ecosystem, however, the initial costs of such projects are exorbitant so there is a need to pass this trend on to building affordable residential housing as well.
What actionable measures should realty developers adopt on this World Environment Day?
Climate change presents new challenges for the real estate sector and to combat them, realty developers should make their operations sustainable and reduce the pressure on the ecosystem by consuming fewer resources as much as possible.
The real estate sector should support the initiative of reducing CO2 emissions to control the devastating effects of global warming. Moreover, they should use cutting-edge technologies to mitigate energy consumption and waste diversion.
To cater to sustainable construction, realty developers should include energy-efficient features in the home such as rooftop solar panels, LED lighting, and improved insulation. Not only will it help in saving the environment, but will also help homeowners save money on utility bills.
To promote a green agenda and sustainable practices, the governments of various states are also taking the initiative to address the issue of the climate crisis. Some local governments are offering tax incentives to drive realty developers to build more green buildings and houses.
Are Zero-energy Buildings the Future of the Real Estate Sector?
In zero-energy buildings, the overall amount of energy consumed by the building on an annual basis is equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site. Indian realty developers should focus on the construction of zero-energy buildings as it goes a long way in solving the problem of depletion of energy resources and the deterioration of the environment. The goal of constructing such buildings is that they emit less greenhouse gases and beyond this, they help in saving energy costs which makes them cost-effective. For Instance, the use of solar panels, heat pumps, high-efficiency windows and insulation.
India’s first net-zero energy building is Indira Paryavaran Bhavan which has deployed energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at a large scale. It is a pressing moment to build more such zero-energy buildings and houses across the country.
While constructing the houses, builders should use green materials like fly ash bricks, high recyclable building material, high reflectance terrace tiles, and renewable bamboo jute composite material for door frames. To combat the water crisis issue, developers should install a rainwater harvesting system, use low-discharge water fixtures, curing compounds during construction, geothermal cooling and should recycle wastewater through a sewage treatment plant.
On World Environment Day, let us take a firm pledge to protect our mother nature by reducing our carbon footprints and by using renewable resources. Start today to save tomorrow as it is our moral duty to fight the battle against climate change. Square Yards wishes you a Happy World Environment Day!
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