Chandigarh Adopts Sustainable Building Code

Chandigarh announced a sustainable building code on June 24, 2025, mandating energy-efficient designs and renewable integration for new constructions. This initiative supports India’s net-zero 2070 goal, reducing urban emissions by 20% in the city.

Chandigarh’s sustainable building code, effective from July 2025, requires new buildings to achieve 30% energy savings through insulation, solar rooftops, and efficient HVAC systems. The code targets 50,000 annual constructions, with 10% adopting solar, aligning with India’s 40 GW rooftop solar target by 2030. Chandigarh, with 1 GW renewable capacity, aims to cut its 5 million tonnes of annual CO2 emissions by 20%.

The code mandates green certifications, like GRIHA, for buildings over 5,000 m², costing $10,000 per project but saving $50,000 in energy costs over 10 years. India’s 70% urban energy demand, with buildings consuming 30%, requires such measures. Pilot projects in Delhi, with 1,000 green buildings, show 15% cost savings. The 2025 Budget’s $1 billion for smart cities supports Chandigarh’s code, but only 10% of funds are disbursed.

Challenges include high compliance costs, increasing construction expenses by 5%, and low awareness, with 60% of builders unaware of green standards. India’s 15,000 architecture firms, with 70% MSMEs, face financing gaps. Gujarat’s 500 green buildings, using AI-based energy monitoring, offer a model, reducing emissions by 10%. Chandigarh’s 25% green cover, enhanced by the Green India Mission, supports urban cooling, cutting AC use by 5%.

The code aligns with India’s 159.5 GW renewable capacity, but 20% grid curtailment limits solar integration. Training 10,000 architects by 2030, costing $50 million, is needed. Global benchmarks, like Singapore’s 80% green buildings, show 20% energy savings, guiding Chandigarh’s path.

Conclusion

Chandigarh’s sustainable building code drives urban decarbonization, supporting India’s net-zero goals. Scaling compliance and training is essential for widespread adoption.

Source: Hindustan Times