HOW GREEN IS MY VALLEY?

There are too many compliances and codes to follow to create a complete green building.

- Molly R

Buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, making it essential to reduce their environmental impact through a combination of smart design, sustainable procurement, efficient technologies, and strong policy support. Material choices make a substantial difference in a building's environmental footprint.

Using recycled materials, locally sourced products, and alternatives to high-carbon materials like traditional concrete reduces embodied carbon.

Here are some of the steps that numerous developers are taking to create green.

RIGHT USE OF MATERIALS

Namrata Nulwalla, ESG & Sustainability Head, Rustomjee Group: We prioritise materials with credible third-party green certifications such as IGBC GreenPro, FSC for wood, GREENGUARD for low-emission products. We products. We eliminate materials with high VOC content and other toxic substances to promote better indoor air quality and ensure the well-being of future occupants.

We've also initiated Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) in select projects like Belle-Vie to deepen our understanding of embodied carbon and resource impact. While not yet conducted across all projects, these insights are helping us shape a future-ready approach.

Sandeep Jain, director, Arkade Developers: We prioritise materials like recycled steel, sustainably sourced timber, and low-VOC paints, which help reduce environmental impact without compromising quality. Beyond the materials, we monitor our suppliers to ensure they're following responsible practices. Sustainability doesn't stop at what goes into a building it extends to how we manage waste during construction.