New Report by NIUA and RMI Identifies Key Decarbonization Strategies for India with Potential to Cut 8 Gt of Emissions by 2050

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NEW DELHI, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and RMI today released a new report, Build Right for the First Time: Scaling Adoption of Net-Zero Carbon Buildings in India, presenting a data-driven roadmap to decarbonize India's rapidly expanding building sector. 

As India's urban landscape grows, so does the carbon footprint of its buildings. This report identifies five high-impact decarbonization strategies that, if widely implemented, can cumulatively eliminate up to 8 gigatons (Gt) of operational and embodied carbon emissions by 2050 — nearly three times India's current annual emissions.  

Read the report here: https://rmi.org/insight/build-right-the-first-time 

The report recommends actionable steps to decarbonize the built environment in India. The publication,   

1. Proposes a standardized definition of "net-zero carbon building" in the Indian context; 
2. Provides in-depth analysis of five high-impact decarbonization measures and their potential to reduce operational and embodied carbon emissions; 
3. Quantifies the total building sector CO₂ emissions, energy and emission reduction potential, and the total cost of adopting each measure; 
4. Introduces a behavior change framework to encourage the adoption of net-zero carbon buildings in India, targeting various stakeholders including policymakers, real estate developers, and industry professionals; and 
5. Recommends national and subnational policy interventions to facilitate the implementation of the proposed measures at the sector level. 

Dr. Debolina Kundu, Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA): "India's current urban trajectory and economic growth present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a low-carbon and heat resilient future. With the building stock set to more than double by 2050, this report—published in partnership with RMI—builds on earlier work by providing a clear definition of net-zero carbon buildings and outlines key decarbonization strategies for the sector. We hope this effort empowers stakeholders across the value chain to lead India's building sector toward a climate-resilient, energy efficient, and equitable future." 

Akshima Ghate, Managing Director, RMI India: "India stands at a pivotal juncture in its development journey, with rapid urbanization and economic growth set to more than double its building stock by 2050. This moment presents a critical opportunity to align infrastructure expansion with climate goals. Developed in partnership with NIUA, 'Build Right the First Time' offers a data-driven blueprint to guide strategic, scalable interventions across the building construction value chain." 

The report was launched today at the "Heat Resilient and Low Carbon Housing in India" convening, held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. It was co-published by NIUA. 

Media Contact:  
Leah Komos  
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