Sarah Khan
Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), Bengaluru, India
Corresponding Author: sarah.khan@cstep.in
Sweta Bhushan
Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), Bengaluru, India
Cite this article
Highlights
- Strategic pathways for sustainable development in India’s residential sector.
- Study focuses on reducing carbon impact, which is crucial for achieving the net-zero target.
- Practical implications for energy-efficient interventions, aiding informed decision-making.
- Sectoral connections and resource considerations emphasized for effective net-zero transition.
- Incorporating thermal comfort enhances the potential for significant operational energy savings.
Abstract
This study analyzed potential low-carbon pathways to achieve net-zero residential buildings in India. With the building sector contributing to 33% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, decarbonizing it is crucial for a net-zero economy. The study used a system dynamics model—Sustainable Alternative Future for India—to capture sectoral interlinkages and explore the implications of meeting India’s development goals related to energy, resources, materials, and emissions. Three scenarios were developed, constituting interventions from the building, power, and material industry sectors. The business-as-usual scenario assumes that existing policies will persist, whereas the other two decarbonization scenarios consider different levels of realistic interventions, such as electrification and behavioural shifts. The study discusses the residential cooling demand and transition cost to high-efficiency appliances. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of considering sectoral interlinkages and resource constraints in achieving net-zero energy residential buildings.
Keywords
Residential Sector, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, System Dynamics, Operational Energy, Embodied Energy
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Bishal Thapa
Fred Sherman
Sumedha Malaviya
Satish Kumar
The three main global energy concerns of providing access to modern energy, enhancing the security of the energy supply, and minimising the impact of energy systems on the climate have an impact on both national and international energy governance. To develop solutions that address the many facets of these difficulties, however, a variety of actors and stakeholders must be included due to the complexity of the energy challenges.
Cities are responsible for more than 70% of the world’s energy consumption and 40% to 50% of its greenhouse gas emissions. Managing increasing urbanisation is a challenge, and nations must deal with the effects it will have on the environment in terms of energy and climate.
Our transition to a future with lower carbon emissions depends heavily on buildings. They are our places of residence, rest, and employment; they also account for around one-third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 40% of the world’s energy usage.