There are moments when the world undergoes change—sometimes imperceptibly, sometimes with the force of an undeniable reckoning. Real estate is currently experiencing such a transformation. Once considered the unchallenged domain of brick-and-mortar, unchecked expansion driven by a growing population has placed the sector in a precarious position. In 2025, the landscape is shifting.

Sustainable real estate has moved beyond being just a trend—it is now an imperative. Investors recognize it as a way to future-proof their portfolios, developers see it as the next frontier, and homebuyers, particularly those shaped by the climate anxieties of the 21st century, demand it. The goal has been to construct buildings that minimize harm to the environment. However, execution has been far from simple.

India currently stands at the crossroads of rapid urbanization. As a result, it must reimagine its built environment. Under the third-term leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is striving to foster a sense of environmental responsibility. The government has placed sustainability at the core of its urban planning discourse, with the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2047. The only way to accomplish this is through policy regulation and a recalibration of what real estate development should look like in the coming decades.

The Anatomy of a Sustainable Building

Understanding the anatomy of a sustainable building is crucial. Several key components contribute to making a structure truly sustainable:

• Energy Efficiency: Integration of solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and designs that reduce dependency on non-renewable power sources.
• Water Management: Systems that do not simply consume but conserve—such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and low-flow fixtures.
• Sustainable Materials: Use of bamboo, recycled steel, and non-toxic paints—materials that acknowledge the environmental cost of extraction and production.
• Smart Technology: Buildings that respond to their occupants by adjusting lighting, heating, and cooling through intelligent automation.
• Green Spaces: Essential pockets of nature woven into concrete sprawls, filtering air, reducing heat, and creating microclimates.

These elements are not just talking points; they are the metrics by which buildings will be assessed—both by regulators and residents.

Policy as the Catalyst

Sustainability is not a spontaneous evolution—it requires intervention. The Indian government has recognized this and responded with initiatives that push the sector toward compliance with a global green agenda. The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) have set benchmarks. The ECBC establishes minimum energy efficiency standards, while GRIHA provides a framework for assessing the environmental impact of buildings.

Economic incentives are even more compelling. Subsidies, tax credits, and grants encourage builders and property owners to adopt green practices. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Urban initiative has incorporated energy-saving designs into affordable housing developments, ensuring that sustainability is not just a privilege of the few.

However, real progress comes from research and development. Government-backed initiatives are fueling advancements in green construction materials and renewable energy solutions. Progress is not just about mandates—it is about making sustainable choices practical, accessible, and inevitable.

Shaping a Sustainable Tomorrow

This is the moment when the shape of the future begins to crystallize. Where once the only concern was cost per square foot, now the conversation includes carbon footprints, resource conservation, and resilience. Sustainable real estate is not about aesthetics or regulatory compliance—it is about creating structures that justify their existence, not just to investors but to the planet they inhabit.

Also Read: RBI withdraws accommodative policy ends, easy liquidity policy

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The Lodha Philanthropy Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to national and social upliftment, with an initial corpus of approximately ₹20,000 crores (US$2.5 billion). The foundation’s initiatives focus on four key areas: women’s empowerment, children’s education, environmental sustainability, and the promotion of Indian culture.

Commenting on the decision, Abhishek Lodha stated, “About 100 years ago, the Tata family transferred a major part of their shareholding to the Tata Trusts, creating a significant impact on India. Their legacy has inspired me. With the support of my family, the Lodha Philanthropy Foundation will now own about one-fifth of Macrotech Developers. As Lodha continues to grow, LPF will have increasing resources to fulfill our commitment to ‘Do Good, Do Well.’”

Key initiatives of the Lodha Philanthropy Foundation include:

• Lodha Unnati: A program aimed at increasing female participation in India’s workforce by working with corporates to create conducive work environments for women while providing upskilling opportunities.
• Institute of Applied Mathematics (IAM): Modeled after the Fields Institute in Canada, IAM seeks to establish India as a leader in mathematical research, vital for national security and economic success.
• Lodha Genius Programme: This initiative supports talented children from diverse backgrounds in achieving their potential, offering mentorship and resources from middle school through their first job.
• Justice Gumanmal Lodha Scholars Program: Named after the late Chief Justice Guman Mal Lodha, this program offers scholarships for Indian students to study at prestigious global institutions, encouraging them to return and contribute to India’s development.

Additionally, the Lodha-RMI Net Zero Accelerator aims to transition India’s built environment towards net-zero carbon emissions, while the Chandresh Lodha Memorial Schools provide quality education to thousands of students with a focus on character development.

Abhishek Lodha emphasized the foundation’s alignment with the Indian government’s vision of a developed nation by 2047, stating, “The Lodha Philanthropy Foundation represents the dreams of all 1.5 billion Indians. From today onwards, all of India will be a partner in, and benefit from, the growth and success of the Lodha Group and Macrotech Developers.”

With this strategic move, the Lodha family aims to make a lasting impact on society while ensuring the continued success of their business ventures.

Also Read: Lodha recognized as the ‘Global Sector Leader in Sustainability’ by GRESB

The post Lodha Group Owner Abhishek Lodha Transfers Shares to Philanthropy Foundation appeared first on Square Feat India.

In Q2 2024 alone, approximately 13 million square feet of office space was leased in green-certified buildings across the top six cities, marking a significant 24% year-over-year increase and an impressive 82% share of total leasing activity for the quarter. Bengaluru and Mumbai emerged as leaders in this trend, together accounting for over 50% of the green-certified leases in the quarter. Notably, about 60% of these leases were in relatively new developments constructed in the past five years.

Growing Green Certification Among Occupiers

The shift towards green office spaces is driven by an increasing awareness among corporate occupiers of the role that sustainable buildings play in addressing climate change. Prominent green certifications such as LEED, GRIHA, and WELL are becoming more sought after as they offer benefits like lower operational costs, improved indoor air quality, and enhanced employee productivity.

“Over the last few quarters, developers, investors, and occupiers in the office market have increasingly embraced the adoption of sustainable elements in their portfolios. With 13 million square feet of leasing in green-certified buildings in Q2 2024, a significant 82% of occupiers were inclined towards green-certified buildings. This reflects occupiers’ strong commitment to align their sustainability goals with the broader sustainability targets of the country,” said Arpit Mehrotra, Managing Director, Office Services, India at Colliers.

Sector-Specific Trends

Technology and Engineering & Manufacturing firms are at the forefront of this green shift, with about 80% of their leasing activity in green-certified buildings since 2023. Additionally, 62% of flexible workspace providers also prefer green-certified locations. The technology sector alone accounted for 27% of the green-certified leasing, followed closely by Engineering & Manufacturing and BFSI sectors.

City-wise data highlights:

• Bengaluru: 68% of leasing in green-certified buildings, with Engineering & Manufacturing leading.
• Chennai: 79% of leasing in green-certified buildings, predominantly by the Technology sector.
• Delhi NCR: 74% share, with Technology firms driving the trend.
• Hyderabad: 76% share, largely due to Technology firms.
• Mumbai: 72% share, with BFSI sector leading.
• Pune: 71% share, with BFSI sector prominent.

Expansion of Green Office Stock

The green office stock is set to grow substantially. As of June 2024, approximately 67% of Grade A office buildings in the top six cities were green-certified. With nearly 70% of new Grade A office completions in Q2 2024 being green-certified, the trend is expected to continue. Over the next 2-3 years, the green-certified Grade A office stock is projected to exceed 600 million square feet.

“With increased inclination among occupiers for green-certified buildings, several Grade A developers are boosting their sustainable offerings. During Q2 2024, nearly 70% of new supply was green-certified. Developers are also retrofitting older office buildings to meet green standards. About 300-350 million square feet of commercial building stock older than 10 years have the potential for refurbishment, further expanding the green-certified office inventory,” noted Vimal Nadar, Senior Director and Head of Research at Colliers India.

The surge in green office space leasing and development reflects a broader shift towards sustainability in India’s commercial real estate sector, highlighting a significant step towards meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

Also Read: Industrial & warehousing demand remains healthy with about 13 mn sq ft of leasing in H1 2024

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