Leading Indian industrial enterprise, the Mahindra Group has tapped  Johnson Controls, a Cork (Ireland)-based  American company and a leader in smart, and sustainable buildings, to help  decarbonize India’s commercial, urban residential and public buildings.

Starting this month, the joint  Net Zero Buildings Initiative  will provide  access to key information and resources to help organizations start their  process to create net zero buildings.
It comprises a cost-free, all-in-one toolkit and training which will help building 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 and financing models. 

Mahindra and Johnson Controls will work closely with India’s central and state governments, think-tanks and industry associations, offering greater visibility on building data to aid in climate progress reporting and formulating strategies and frameworks. 

The International Energy Agency estimates that seventy five percent of India’s anticipated 2040 buildings have yet to be built. Investing in energy efficient infrastructure can potentially reduce electricity consumption by 40-60% compared to conventional buildings.

With the sector accounting for 20% of the total emissions and more than 30% of energy consumption in the country, a timely transition to smart and sustainable buildings has emerged as   an environmental and economic imperative.

According to India Energy Outlook 2021, even a 30% improvement in energy efficiency from buildings can potentially save around 250 TWh of electricity by 2030, making significant electrical energy savings that could be given back to the grid to further fuel economic growth. 

“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.”

“At Mahindra, we strongly believe in operating as a ‘Planet Positive’ organization. The group has undertaken multiple initiatives to decarbonize our operational infrastructure—leading to both financially and environmentally value 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 joined hands with Johnson Controls, leaders in net zero building solutions, to share our learnings and best practices with everyone”

Low carbon pathway to development

Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs commented on the Johnson-Mahindra partnership: “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. I’d like to congratulate the Mahindra group and Johnson Controls International for providing a much needed momentum to this movement. Built infrastructure is responsible for 40% of the global energy related emissions today, and most of the built environment in India’s cities, is yet to be constructed. It is absolutely imperative that we integrate sustainability and climate resilience into the life cycle of the built environment. 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.” said 

At Mahindra, they practice what they preach: Mahindra Holidays, part of the Mahindra group 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 has  launched Mahindra Eden, India's first Net Zero Energy Residential building, that is expected to save over 1.8M kWh electricity annually. Mahindra Logistics is investing to build energy efficient warehouses. 

Johnson Controls a 140 year old company with 2000 offices worldwide has an India presence in Pune, Bangalore, Thane, Noida, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Indore

This has appeared in New India Abroad