By Manju Yagnik, Vice Chairperson, Nahar Group Senior Vice President of NAREDCO- Maharashtra
The phrase “sustainability” is frequently used, and even Internet users boast about it, yet sometimes its genuine meaning is obscured. As the climate crisis draws to a close, climate change is waving a red flag. So, in honour of World Environment Day, “Go Green and Think Green.” Together, let’s make every effort to stop and undo the harm being done to our ecology.
It is no secret that the real estate industry is one of the major consumers of global resources and a factor in global climate change. Builders and real estate investors should now include green aims in their business plans because sustainability is no longer a choice but a must. Sustainable housing development has become an urgent need as the exploitation of natural resources has outgrown the capacity for regeneration. Real estate developers and homeowners should promise to shift their attention to green housing on this World Environment Day to cope with the unmet housing demand and combat climate change.
The coronavirus outbreak has made it even more crucial to create eco-friendly houses by focusing on sustainable construction and design principles. In addition, we now recognise how desperately we need a green home; after all, lockdown and work-from-home conventions have brought it to our attention. Therefore, push yourself towards environment- friendly planning, building and maintenance because green housing may significantly lower carbon emissions, conserve water, and lessen our exposure to contaminants.
Homebuyer’s Contribution to Sustainable Living
The demand for green homes is growing as millennials who care about the environment become more aware of it and change their mindset. Projects featuring solar panels, green spaces, rainwater harvesting, and efficient waste management systems are becoming more popular among today’s homeowners to protect natural resources. Although this is a positive start towards preserving the ecosystem, the initial expenditures of such projects are prohibitive, so it is necessary to extend this trend to the construction of affordable homes as well.
What actionable measures should realty developers adopt on this World Environment Day?
Real estate developers should make their operations sustainable and lessen the stress on the ecosystem by using fewer resources as much as possible. Reducing CO2 emissions is an essential step in halting the destructive impacts of global warming, and the real estate industry should assist in this effort. In addition, we should also employ cutting-edge technology to reduce energy usage and waste diverting. To support sustainable development, real estate developers should design homes with energy-efficient features like rooftop solar panels, LED lighting and better insulation. It would not only help the environment but also enable homes to reduce their utility costs.
Are Zero-energy Buildings the Future of the Real Estate Sector?
In zero-energy structures, the total annual energy use of the building is equal to the quantity of renewable energy produced on the property. Therefore, developing zero-energy facilities should be the main emphasis of real estate developers because it significantly reduces the problem of energy resource depletion and environmental degradation. The purpose of building these kinds of structures is to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases. In addition, they assist in reducing energy costs, which makes them more affordable. The use of insulation, heat pumps, high-efficiency windows, and solar panels are a few examples.
Green building resources, including fly ash bricks, highly recyclable building materials, high reflectivity terrace tiles and renewable bamboo jute composite for door frames, should be used while building dwellings. In addition, developers should add a rainwater collection system, employ low-discharge plumbing fittings, curing compounds during construction, geothermal cooling, and recycle wastewater through a sewage treatment plant to combat the water crisis.
The future of the earth needs to be sustainable for our sakes and for those of our children.
Also Read: PIRAMAL REALTY SECURES OCCUPANCY CERTIFICATE (OC) FOR THREE LUXURY PROJECTS IN MMR
