Sustainability is at core in Godrej Properties

As part of our sustainability goals, we are taking measures to reduce, reuse and recycle waste in our construction processes.

Anubhav Gupta, Chief Design Officer, Business Head Vikhroli, Head CSR and Sustainability Godrej Properties Ltd

As the Indian population increases and urbanises, it is estimated that we may have over 70 cities with a population of over a million inhabitants each by 2025. The private sector in India, particularly conscious real estate developers, architects, urban planners, engineers and contractors have made commendable efforts to play their role in finding sustainable solutions to address rapid construction amidst prevailing urban issues.

Recycle in construction

Informing about how to bring sustainability to Indian construction industry Anubhav Gupta, Chief Design Officer, Business Head Vikhroli, Head CSR and Sustainability  at Godrej Properties Ltd says, “At Godrej we have aligned and standardised each of our internal business processes to build and construct an environmentally friendly robust product. As part of our sustainability goals, we are taking measures to reduce, reuse and recycle waste in our construction processes. With solid waste management emerging as a serious challenge, we have further extended our commitment to community projects. We have made consistent progress on our Greener India Goal 2020, by which we aspire to become carbon neutral, have a positive water balance, send zero waste to landfill, and reduce specific energy consumption by 30 per cent, increase renewable energy sources by 30 per cent.”

Godrej ‘s strategies for sustainable business

Briefing on the practices followed by company to bring sustainability to the business Gupta says, “Our strategy to achieve our sustainability goals includes a range of efforts from energy efficiency, water conservation and waste management at our construction sites, to promoting IGBC/LEED-certified green buildings. Recent innovation focus areas include piloting low water usage drip curing methods, use of STP water for construction, composting labour camp organic waste for nurseries and sedimentation tanks at batching plants.”

Expectation from policy makers to push construction industry

Explaining on his expectation from policy makers to push construction industry, Gupta says, “We believe experts from the private sector can play a key role in participating with their government counterparts to chart progressive policy and draft win-win propositions for all stakeholders. Godrej Properties has joined the Sustainable Housing Leadership Consortium (SHLC), a voluntary, collaborative effort with leading Indian housing sector companies to drive sustainability in India’s housing market.” Brought together by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, the SHLC’s focus and mandate is to promote sustainable urban development. In addition to leveraging private sector investments to facilitate greater uptake of certified green buildings, IFC will also facilitate policy dialogue between the private sector and the government, evaluate technology levers and share best practices, raise public awareness, and identify strategic actions for implementation.

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