As the world marks World Environment Day 2025 with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” India’s real estate sector finds itself at a pivotal moment. With buildings accounting for 40% of carbon emissions and 30% of raw material consumption globally, the industry must reconcile growth with environmental stewardship.
India’s rapid urbanization, which will see over 400 million people move into cities by 2050, has intensified scrutiny of the sector’s ecological impact. According to Knight Frank India, green-certified new launches jumped from 12% in 2020 to over 35% in 2024, signaling an early but promising shift toward sustainable construction.
Signature Global, a key player in mid-income and premium housing, is among the companies embedding sustainability into the fabric of its operations. “Green has been our priority since inception,” said Lalit Aggarwal, Co-founder & Vice-Chairman, Signature Global. “In 2025, we are planting 25,000 trees across our project sites. Sustainability is not an afterthought—it’s embedded in our design, planning, and execution.”
This commitment extends to smart energy and water management systems, rainwater harvesting, and waste reduction practices. Signature Global’s alignment with national climate goals and global ESG frameworks reflects a growing awareness among developers to balance profit with long-term planetary goals.
Echoing this shift, Ashok Kapur, Chairman, Krishna Group and Krisumi Corporation, emphasized the moral imperative: “India’s housing sector accounts for over 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. Our projects are designed with eco-friendly principles to minimize impact and enhance living experiences. Real estate must lead in shaping a greener future.”
The transition is not just ethical—it’s economic. McKinsey research indicates ESG-aligned real estate portfolios outperform over time, while the International Energy Agency notes that buildings can deliver 20% of the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
However, India’s path forward isn’t without its challenges. Environmental compliance remains inconsistent. Despite clear guidelines by the National Green Tribunal, violations—such as construction within 75-meter buffers of lakes in Bengaluru—highlight the gap between policy and practice.
Nonetheless, state-level incentives like additional FAR (Floor Area Ratio) for green buildings and expedited clearances are incentivizing compliance. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ focus on Green Urban Mobility and smart cities is also catalyzing change through infrastructure upgrades.
Robin Mangla, President, M3M India, remarked, “We see sustainability as an operational imperative. From energy-efficient materials to EV infrastructure, we aim to build greener urban ecosystems. The industry must take responsibility for the low-carbon future we all need.”
Domnic Romell, President, CREDAI-MCHI and Director, Romell Group, stated, “CREDAI-MCHI has proposed a plantation drive of 1 million trees across Maharashtra, including the Western Ghats and Mumbai’s Coastal Road Project. Backed by ₹2 crore committed by CREDAI’s National Chairman, Mr. Boman Irani, for reforestation and skilling, these efforts reflect our sector’s climate resolve. We’re reducing plastic in construction, advocating green methods, and partnering with MPCB and WRI India on air pollution controls. With a pledge for carbon neutrality by 2050, our commitment goes beyond intent to collective, measurable impact.”
