As India ramps up efforts to decarbonize its rapidly growing infrastructure of buildings, the Mahindra Group, one of India’s pioneering industrial enterprises, and Johnson Controls, the global pioneer in smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings announced the first-of-its-kind Net Zero Buildings Initiative to decarbonize India’s commercial, urban residential and public buildings.
The joint initiative will simplify access to key information and resources to help organizations start their net zero-building journeys.
‘Planet Positive’ organization
“At Mahindra, we strongly believe in operating as a ‘Planet Positive’ organization. The group has undertaken multiple initiatives to decarbonize our operational infrastructure pioneering both financially and environmentally valuable accretive outcomes," said Abanti Sankaranarayanan, Chief Group Public Affairs Officer and Group Executive Board Member.
"We also understand the critical role of collaboration in accelerating a sustainable future, and hence join hands with Johnson Controls, pioneers in net zero building solutions, to share our learnings and best practices with everyone."
the environmental and economic imperative
With the sector accounting for 20% of emissions and more than 30% of energy consumption in the country
According to the International Energy Agency, three-quarters of India’s anticipated 2040 buildings have yet to be built.
With the sector accounting for 20% of emissions and more than 30% of energy consumption in the country, the transition to smart and sustainable buildings is becoming an environmental and economic imperative.
benefits of smart and green buildings
“With India on the cusp of a building revolution, now is the time to actualize the benefits of smart and green buildings for India’s economy and society,” said George Oliver, Chairman and CEO of Johnson Controls.
“The joining together of our two companies to develop this unique initiative is a natural fit leveraging Johnson Controls’ leadership in smart building technology and Mahindra’s renowned multi-industry expertise and reach. We believe it will help guide and inspire a movement toward a more sustainable built environment, both in India and beyond.”
Net Zero Buildings Initiative
The Net Zero Buildings Initiative comprises a cost-free, all-in-one toolkit, and training
The Net Zero Buildings Initiative comprising a cost-free, all-in-one toolkit, and training will help build and facility owners learn about best practices of sustainable buildings, implement tools to assess building parameters, identify and implement conservation measures, and understand building regulations in India, available incentives, technology, financing models, and more.
“This collaboration is a statement of intent from the construction industry to support the Indian government’s journey towards the low-carbon pathway of development,” said Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs & Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Integrating Sustainability and Climate Resilience
"I’d like to congratulate the Mahindra group and Johnson Controls International for providing much-needed momentum to this movement. Built infrastructure is responsible for 40% of the global energy-related emissions, and most of the built environment in India’s cities is yet to be constructed."
"We must integrate sustainability and climate resilience into the life cycle of the built environment."
energy-efficient infrastructure
Investing in energy-efficient infrastructure can potentially reduce electricity consumption by 40-60%
"Sustainability has been an article of faith for this government, and no developing country has ever steered away from the high carbon path of development as profoundly as India has done."
Investing in energy-efficient infrastructure can potentially reduce electricity consumption by 40-60% compared to conventional buildings.
increased efficiency and productivity
According to India Energy Outlook 2021, even a 30% improvement in energy efficiency from buildings can potentially save ~250 TWh of electricity by 2030, which means significant electrical energy could be given back to the grid to further fuel economic growth.
Across Mahindra Group, Mahindra Holidays has increased energy efficiency by more than 50% across resorts, Mahindra Auto & Farm sector has increased energy productivity by more than 90% across factories, and Mahindra Lifespaces launched Mahindra Eden, India's first Net Zero Energy Residential building, that is expected to save over 1.8M kWh electricity annually. Similarly, Mahindra Logistics is investing in building energy-efficient warehouses.
climate progress reporting
As part of the initiative, Mahindra and Johnson Controls will work closely with Indian national and state governments, think tanks, and industry associations, providing greater visibility on building data to aid in climate progress reporting and formulating strategies and frameworks.
Mahindra and Johnson Controls plan to roll out the initiative in March 2024 through virtual and in-person workshop sessions as part of a year-long roadshow.
