Sustainable Construction Procurement Practices in India
Explore sustainable procurement practices in India's construction industry, including government initiatives, implementation strategies, and case studies.
The construction industry in India is rapidly expanding, playing a key role in the nation’s development. However, this growth comes with significant environmental and social costs. Sustainable procurement practices offer a solution by integrating environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices into the procurement process.
Key Takeaways
- Sustainable procurement brings about environmental preservation and social benefit.
- The Government of India implemented GPP - Green Public Procurement.
- These are still only ideas, since the implementation procedure is still much of a task, but steps like sustainability criterion and supplier review can be performed.
Understanding Sustainable Procurement
Sustainable contruction procurement is simply the process that involves purchasing materials, services or works with aims to reduce as much negative effects on the environment and to socially and economically assist.
Advantages of Sustainable Procurement
- Less Carbon Emissions: Reduced in wastes.
- Save on Costing: Long time cost saving and reduced energy loss in materials and design.
- Benefits the Society, Better Labor and Community Benefits.
The Indian Construction Industry Landscape
India's construction sector is one of the biggest sectors in terms of GDP, which employs millions of people. Yet, it consumes 24% of the country's annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to CEEW.
Problems of the Industry:
1. High Resource Use: Mass utilization of cement and steel.
2. Waste: The construction and demolition waste is badly managed.
3. Labor Issue: Lack of fair wages and safety.
Government Initiatives and Policies
The government of India has launched a series of initiatives and policies that make procurement for construction more sustainable.
Green Public Procurement (GPP)
GPP seeks to decrease the environmental impact of public works. The policy encompasses:
- Energy-efficient materials.
- Eco-certified suppliers as a preference.
Ecomark Scheme
This marking scheme labels products as environmentally friendly. It is particularly applicable for construction materials such as paints, glass, and steel.
Impact on the Construction Industry
Projects like Delhi Metro and Indian Railways have adopted these policies, setting a benchmark for sustainability.
Implementation Strategies for Sustainable Procurement
Successfully integrating sustainable procurement in construction projects involves a step-by-step approach.
Step 1: Set Clear Sustainability Criteria
Define goals like energy efficiency, low-carbon materials, and fair labor practices.
Step 2: Evaluate Suppliers
Assess vendors based on their compliance with sustainability standards.
Step 3: Contract Management
Include clauses for environmental performance and penalties for non-compliance.
Conclusion
Eco-friendly procurement practices shall be the road to a more sustainable, more responsible future by India's construction industry. To reduce its adverse environmental impact in the near term, the sector can opt for green materials and social responsibility coupled with government incentive schemes.
The journey may appear to be difficult, but with clear strategies and innovative tools and collaboration between the various stakeholders, sustainable construction is possible and essential for growth in India. As the nation goes forward, embracing such practices will ensure that development would not come at the cost of either the planet or the people.
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