Net Zero buildings are no longer just a global sustainability ambition. Net Zero is here already.
Across India, developers, real estate portfolios, asset owners, and managers across sectors are increasingly committing to Net Zero targets. Building decarbonization is the first crucial step, as it involves:
· Low embodied carbon design of buildings
· Net Zero certifications at the building-level
· ESG-linked investments into the asset
But there is one critical question that is unanswered: “Can the products planned for usage in these projects actually support Net Zero goals?
The Net Zero Conversation Is Evolving
For years, Net Zero discussions focused mainly on operational energy:
· On-site Solar installation
· Energy-efficient Building systems
· Building automation
· Renewable energy procurement
These remain important. However, as operational efficiency improves, the spotlight is rapidly shifting toward embodied carbon the emissions associated with materials and construction practices.
According to the World Green Building Council, embodied carbon could account for up to 50% of total lifecycle emissions of new buildings that will stand for the next 50+ years. This means the path to Net Zero is no longer determined only by how buildings operate. It is increasingly determined by what they are made of, where materials come from, and how products are manufactured.
Net Zero Buildings cannot be achieved with carbon-blind materials or carbon-intensive materials or materials without product carbon data in the first place, which is why LEED, IGBC, GRIHA, and EDGE are increasingly emphasizing lifecycle thinking, embodied carbon, and low-carbon product transparency.
Why Materials Matter More Than Ever
Construction products including Steel, Cement, Aluminium, Glass, Insulation, Façade systems, flooring, and interiors, carry significant embodied emissions before a building even becomes operational. In many cases, the majority of a product’s emissions occur before it reaches the construction site, especially for emission-intensive industries like the above.
This changes the role of manufacturers completely. Construction industry stakeholders are no longer looking only for product quality, compliance, and cost competitiveness. They are increasingly looking for carbon transparency, low embodied carbon, and verified environmental performance.
This is where tools like Product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Product Carbon Footprints (PCF), Certifications such as Green Pro, GRIHA become critical.
The Net Zero transition is changing how buildings are designed, financed, and constructed and a building’s carbon performance will be shaped as much by its materials as by its operations.
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