Transforming Urban Energy: Dynamics,Policies and Innovations in Suburban Energy Efficiency and Building Sustainability in India

Abstract

This review article provides a thorough examination of the factors affecting energy consumption in India and around the world, focussing on suburban areas and their role in the broader context of building construction and energy efficiency. The study examines the switch from conventional energy sources to more diversified energy portfolios, including electricity, natural gas, oil, biomass, and waste. Moving deeper into the subject, the review delves into the realm of carbon emissions resulting from building and construction. It spotlights the critical contribution of residential energy consumption to the overall carbon footprint and discusses the dual significance of operational and embodied emissions in the construction sector. This research underscores the necessity for integrated strategies to mitigate carbon emissions in building practices. Furthermore, the paper critically evaluates the evolution of energy regulations, with a special focus on the shift from prescriptive to performance-based Building Energy Codes (BECs). It assesses the capacity of current energy policies to curtail global warming and provides an in-depth analysis of energy usage patterns, policies, and CO₂ emissions in the Indian suburban context. The study highlights India’s efforts to modernise building codes and improve energy efficiency while promoting multifaceted strategies that include building code improvements, the use of energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable urban design, and ends with a plea for sustainable development and major reductions in carbon emissions, thereby highlighting the critical role that both local and global initiatives can play. This study provides a thorough understanding of sustainable building practices and energy efficiency, especially in suburban development.