Carbon Emissions and Environmental Impact

Newsletter September 2023

Monthly Highlights

Dr. Poorva Keskar speaks at International Constro Expo

Dr. Poorva Keskar, co-founder of VK:e, was a panelist and speaker at the Constro Knowledge Series. During her session, she emphasised the importance of adopting a Net Zero building design approach. She illustrated her points with relevant case studies, highlighting how this approach can align with the 12th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) related to responsible consumption and production. The talk was part of the series of talks curated by Constro as part of their International Expo 2024, that take place every month.

Green Building visit to Amar Tech Centre for the students of BKPS College of Architecture, Pune

Sustainability Initiatives organized a green building visit to Amar Tech Centre in Viman Nagar, Pune, as part of World Green Building Week. This project is among Pune's top-rated green buildings, holding Platinum certification from IGBC. Developed by Amar Builders, VK:e environmental provided green certification consultancy. Students from BKPS College of Architecture, Pune, were guided through the building by a sustainability expert. The tour showcased the sustainable architectural principles behind the design and various green features like landscape design, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and sewage treatment. Special thanks to Mr. Hrishikesh Manjrekar, Executive Director of Amar Builders, for supporting the visit, and Mr. Gaurao Patil from Amar Builders for assistance. The session was led by Ar. Tanaya Patil from VK:e environmental, with the presence of Mr. Amol Umbarje from Sustainability Initiatives. Around 40 students attended the visit.

VK:e Featured Projects

Saleel-16 & 21 CHSL Awarded IGBC Gold Certification

Two projects, Saleel-16 CHSL and Saleel-21 CHSL, at Sahakarnagar, have achieved GOLD rating under the IGBC Green Homes Version 3 rating system. Dwelling units have been designed to provide natural ventilation to more than 75% of living spaces and cross ventilation for more than 30% of spaces and more than 50% of the common areas like lift lobbies and passages have natural daylight. Other green features of the project includes organic waste converter installed for 100% wet waste treatment, use of low VOC finishes for all paints and adhesives for providing a healthy habitat, use of FSC certified wood for doors and other wooden materials, Insulmix cool screed installed for top roof to reduce heat gain and clear glass used for windows to reduce heat ingress through fenestration.

What's Trending

Blue Carbon Projects: A Natural Solution to Climate Change

Blue carbon refers to the carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes. These ecosystems are highly effective at sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in their biomass and sediments. Blue carbon projects are initiatives that aim to protect, restore, and manage coastal and marine ecosystems to enhance their carbon storage capacity. These projects can provide many benefits including climate change mitigation, coastal protection, biodiversity conservation and local livelihood preservation.

Here are a few examples of ongoing blue carbon projects in India:

Sundarbans Mangrove Restoration Project: This project aims to restore 6000 hectares of mangroves in the Sundarbans, one of the world's largest mangrove forests. The project is expected to sequester an estimated 700,000 tonnes of carbon over 20 years.

Pichavaram Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Project: This project aims to conserve and restore mangroves in the Pichavaram mangrove forest, which is home to a variety of marine and coastal biodiversity.

Gulf of Mannar Seagrass Restoration Project: This project aims to restore seagrass beds in the Gulf of Mannar, which is one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in India. The project is expected to sequester carbon and improve coastal protection.

One of the main challenges facing blue carbon projects in India is the lack of a clear policy framework. However, the Indian government is currently developing a national mission for blue carbon, which is expected to provide a much-needed boost to these projects. Another challenge is the lack of funding. Blue carbon projects can be expensive to implement, but they can also generate significant carbon credits that can be sold on the voluntary carbon market. This can provide a sustainable source of funding for these projects. The Indian government, private sector, and NGOs can all play a role in supporting blue carbon projects. The government can provide a supportive policy framework and funding, while the private sector and NGOs can implement and manage blue carbon projects on the ground. By working together, we can protect and restore India's coastal and marine ecosystems, while also mitigating climate change and providing a number of other benefits to society.

- Article contributed by Akila R, Environmental Engineer

Know More

From the Editor's Desk

Which areas are worse for the environment - urban areas, or suburbs?

With studies revealing that the suburbs have much higher carbon footprints per household (50% of the total US household carbon footprints) there is a growing consensus that living in urban areas may be better for the environment. But let's take a closer look at this. On one hand, urban areas can be considered better due to their higher population density that often translates to more energy-efficient buildings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. But given that a significant portion of global GDP is produced in urban areas, this higher economic activity can lead to increased energy use and emissions.

On the other hand, suburbs can be seen as worse for the environment, primarily because they contribute significantly to household greenhouse gas emissions. This is largely due to the dependence on cars and other forms of transportation to access various essentials. Additionally, the spacious homes and sprawling backyards that are typical of suburbs can lead to higher water consumption and increased pesticide use. Despite these downsides, they tend to have more green cover, including lawns and trees, compared to cities. This greenery can help with air quality and provide a healthier living environment.

However, it's important to note that these studies primarily focus on high-income countries, and their conclusions may not hold true in all global contexts. In fact, some research suggests that urbanization in low-income countries can lead to increased emissions, indicating that the environmental impact of urban and suburban living can vary significantly depending on the region's economic conditions.

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