India is taking a significant step towards sustainability by revising energy codes for both commercial and residential buildings. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) plans to update these codes to target reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions within the building sector.

BEE Director Saurabh Diddi made this announcement at a Call for Action event organised by the Decarbonization Business Charter, which brought together key players in sustainability, including WRI India, AEEE, EcoCollab, and MLDL.

While the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) currently applies to commercial buildings and Eco Niwas Samhita covers residential structures, the revised codes will extend their scope to include concepts like embedded carbon, net zero energy, and overall sustainability. The new code will be named the Energy Conservation and Sustainability Building Code.

Diddi stated that the updated codes, expected by the end of the year, will encompass residential buildings nationwide, aligning with the growing need for energy-efficient and eco-friendly construction.

Given that the building and construction sector accounts for 35-40% of energy consumption and carbon emissions, this move holds substantial importance. With India's expansive building infrastructure yet to be constructed, there's a significant opportunity to implement sustainable practices from the start.

Satish Kumar, AEEE President and Executive Director, stressed the urgency of this action due to India's projected doubling of its building footprint within two decades. Incorporating net zero principles focusing on energy, waste, carbon, and water is a progressive approach towards sustainable construction.

Sunita Purushottam, Head of Sustainability at MLDL, highlighted the holistic nature of the updated codes, aiming to address not only energy but also embodied carbon, waste management, and water efficiency.

India's commitment to sustainability is evident through this comprehensive approach to environmental impacts. The transition from green building to net zero energy, waste, carbon, and water signifies a significant shift, especially considering that only 5% of existing Indian buildings are currently classified as green.