Construction Sector: 23% air pollution, 50% climate change, 40% water pollution, 50% landfill waste

The Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry recently conducted an Awareness Program on Environment Clearance Certificate and its significant role in the Construction sector, held at FTCCI in Red Hills on Saturday.

According to Prof Krishna Reddy, Chairman of TS-SEAC and TSPCB, any construction project with a built-up area exceeding 20,000 sqm requires Environmental Clearance. He emphasized that the construction and building sector is responsible for nearly 39% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, with the construction sector in India contributing to 8% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the construction sector, being a significant consumer of cement, accounts for about 8% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions.

Mr Y. Maheshwara Reddy, the Managing Director of Pioneer Enviro Consultants Pvt. Ltd, also highlighted the importance of Environmental Clearance in the construction industry. It is an approval that must be obtained for any development project listed in the Schedule of EIA Notification, 2006. The primary objective of obtaining Environmental Clearance is to evaluate the effects of proposed development projects on the environment and people and take appropriate measures to mitigate them.

According to recent research by the construction blog Bimhow, the construction sector is responsible for 23% of air pollution, 50% of climate change, 40% of drinking water pollution, and 50% of landfill waste. Moreover, the construction industry worldwide accounts for 40% of energy usage.

Dr Vijaya Lakshmi Thatiparthi, Associate Professor and Head of the Department, Centre for Environment, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, addressed the audience and presented a list of areas where Geo-Spatial Technology can be used, such as City Landscape, Integrated Land Use, Green Built Environment, and Rainwater Harvesting. She also explained the advantages of UAVs in Construction, stating that Geographic Information System (GIS) can transform extensive data into detailed 3D maps of different locations, allowing civil engineers to better understand the location they will be working on.

Anil Agarwal, President of FTCCI, reminded the attendees to be mindful of their activities and stated that if KBR Park is not protected, it would become a concrete jungle. With the construction industry in India expected to reach $1.4 trillion (Rs 115 lakh crores approximately) by 2025, and real estate demand set to increase by 15-18 million sq. ft by 2025 across major cities, it is imperative to promote sustainable development in the construction sector.