Net-positive architecture: The future of design industry

As India's real estate market continues to boom, building floor spaces are expected to multiply almost two times by 2050. Among rapid urbanisation and development, mindful and responsive sustainable architecture such as net-zero and net-positive projects are the need of the hour

- GIAN P. MATHUR

According to the United Nations Environment Program, buildings worldwide generate 39% of global CO2 and 30% of all energy-related GHG emissions, significantly contributing to the increased greenhouse effect, causing global temperature to rise and, by extension, climate change. The growing impact of construction on climate change is undeniable and increasingly prevalent. Designers and architects today are not only responsible for user health and comfort but also for the impact of the construction and life of a building on the immediate ecosystem and the environment at large.

In the last few decades, we have seen a rise in research organisations and grading systems like LEED, Griha, IGBC, etc., analysing new technology and strategies. They have managed to shift the mindset of users, designers and stakeholders through their research and by providing incentives. Recently, India has committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2070 at Glasgow’s COP-26 climate conference. For the construction industry, this means mitigating climate change by significantly reducing emissions from energy use and shifting to a more sustainable model with clean energy production. One way to achieve this goal is by turning to net-positive architecture.

The concept