India Can Cut 8 Gigatons of Building Emissions by 2050: NIUA-RMI Report

India can potentially cut up to 8 gigatons of carbon emissions from its building sector by 2050, according to a new report jointly released by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI).

The report, titled 'Build Right for the First Time: Scaling Adoption of Net-Zero Carbon Buildings in India', was launched at the 'Heat Resilient and Low Carbon Housing in India' convening in the capital, bringing together senior policymakers, industry experts, and sustainability advocates.

The convening, held in New Delhi, took place against the backdrop of India’s rapidly growing urban population, which is projected to reach 612 million by 2030 and soar to 843 million by 2050. As India marches toward its 2070 net-zero emissions target, NIUA and RMI emphasised the critical importance of integrating low-carbon strategies into the nation's housing and infrastructure development.

Eminent dignitaries present at the event included Dr Debolina Kundu, Director, NIUA; Sachin Kumar, Director, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation; Satish Chandra Vishnubhatla, Deputy Vice President, Johnson Controls–Hitachi Air Conditioning; Tarun Garg, Principal, RMI India Foundation; and Dr. S.K. Chaturvedi, Joint Director, National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB).

The report outlines a uniform definition of net-zero carbon buildings and proposes five high-impact strategies to reduce building-related emissions. With a cost increase of just INR 4,566 per square metre over traditional methods, the proposed roadmap could dramatically decarbonise India’s building sector.

Speaking at the event, Satish Chandra Vishnubhatla pointed to a major industry challenge: translating policies into actionable ground-level solutions. “There is universal agreement on the need for heat-resilient and low-carbon housing, but real-world implementation remains a challenge,” he said.

Vishnubhatla also stressed the role of innovation in bridging this gap. He highlighted Hitachi’s three-pronged approach: delivering energy-efficient technologies, maintaining long-term product performance through innovations like self-cleaning systems, and simplifying the communication of benefits to consumers. In partnership with RMI, Johnson Controls, Hitachi is also working to develop air conditioning systems that are five times more efficient than current models.

RMI India Managing Director Akshima Ghate underscored the urgency of aligning India’s booming infrastructure development with climate targets. “India’s building stock is expected to more than double by 2050. We have a critical opportunity to ensure this growth is both inclusive and climate-friendly,” she said.

The report also recommends policy interventions at national and state levels and introduces a behaviour change framework to encourage widespread adoption of net-zero building practices among developers, policymakers, and industry professionals.

Dr. Debolina Kundu called on all stakeholders to form a united front for creating climate-resilient housing in India. “Our urban growth presents a once-in-a-generation chance to shape a sustainable, equitable future,” she said.

Mrinalini Shrivastava, IPS, Director of the National Disaster Management Authority, proposed establishing a dedicated Urban Heat Mitigation Lab to serve as a knowledge hub. Dr. Shailesh Agrawal, Executive Director of the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council, also urged green material innovators to empanel their products for broader adoption.

The event served as a critical forum to chart the path forward for India's housing sector, emphasising the urgent need for a sustainable, low-carbon transition amidst rising urban heat and emissions.