Climate change, due to global warming is an existing threat to our way of life. Recent extreme climate events such as last year’s bushfires in Australia and the current record high temperatures of more than 40°C recorded in India’s western state of Maharashtra which reported 25 deaths from heat stroke since March are underscoring the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists say climate change in the form of extreme heat will affect more than a billion people in South Asia in the coming months. The race to net zero is on, but countries need to pick up the pace. As the built environment is responsible for an estimated 40% of global carbon emissions, it’s vital for the construction sector to do its part to limit global warming.
In this episode of the Gensler Design Podcast, our Host David Calkins, Regional Managing Principal of Gensler APME sits with his guest, Shravan Bendapudi, Gensler’s Regional Practice Area and Community Leader in Asia Pacific and Middle East region and Studio Director for Gensler Bangalore as they discuss about the opportunities and challenges that have to be overcome and the approaches that could have a pronounced impact towards net zero.
What are the Biggest Trends Impacting Climate Action and Sustainable Design?
The big push towards Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) – the idea of how the various parts of our economy start becoming more responsible stewards of our community is starting to gain a lot of traction. It is going as far as some developers that we’re working with in more developed economies trying to measure outcomes like impact on community health, education and even crime.
This leads to the focus on net zero and carbon neutrality. The idea of maximizing generation through renewable sources and rather than just reducing waste, diverting said waste for other productive purposes is really a shifting mindset and also something that is becoming more than just a “good to have”.
What Challenges do Companies Face when it Comes to Implementation?
One challenge is aligning around a shared understanding. What does sustainability or climate impact mean to them and what role does it play in their industry? Building codes are another challenge. Some have good intentions; like incorporating meaningful performance requirements, but at the same time, some of those nuanced regulations add in unintended restrictions that keep companies from really realizing a lot of their sustainability goals.
Another challenge is learning the vocabulary. For years, people have been hearing about net zero energy. Well, the truth is, we always are going to need energy, but that energy doesn’t have to come with a carbon footprint. There’s a whole mind shift of recognizing that the energy we use can be carbon-free energy.
What Value can Design Bring with Regards to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Factors?
Employing a data-driven design and analytic tools to measure and design efficient spaces at every scale, we allow designers to significantly reduce the operating energy per square foot of a space without sacrificing function. These strategies, when combined with renewable energy resources, can put a building on the path to net zero.
Renewables by themselves don’t achieve Net Zero Emissions status for a space; buildings must also be designed to operate far more efficiently. In many cases, this starts in the early design phase. We can create net zero energy buildings delivered through design solutions that combine cost-effective energy efficiency paired with renewable technologies. Optimizing energy use is crucial to reducing the carbon impact of the built environment. Equally important is sourcing zero and ultra-low carbon energy supplies. With the right energy-efficient design strategies, combined with the right energy sources, we can address issues of operational carbon and transform buildings into carbon-zero operating spaces.
Listen to the full conversation on the Gensler Design Podcast. Thanks for tuning in!