India could reduce up to 8 gigatons of carbon emissions from its building sector by 2050 through high-impact, low-carbon strategies, according to a new report launched by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). 

Titled Build Right for the First Time, the report was released during the “Heat Resilient and Low Carbon Housing in India” convening in New Delhi. It defines net-zero carbon buildings and outlines five strategic interventions that could be implemented at a modest cost premium of Rs 4,566 per sq m. 

India’s urban population is expected to reach 843 million by 2050. With a doubling of building stock projected, the report calls for urgent decarbonisation backed by policy support and technological innovation. 

Johnson Controls–Hitachi Air Conditioning’s Satish Chandra Vishnubhatla highlighted the gap between policy and implementation. RMI India’s Akshima Ghate underscored the alignment of growth with climate goals. 

The report also introduces behavioural change frameworks and policy interventions to enable adoption. NIUA Director Dr. Debolina Kundu urged stakeholders to build a coalition for future-ready, heat-resilient housing.