The Building Market Brief - India provides a comprehensive analysis of India’s rapidly transforming building and construction sector, driven by population growth, urbanization, and evolving consumer preferences. Developed under the Digital Building Passports project, this report is a collaborative effort by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the CUES Foundation (Netherlands), and OFFSETFARM, with support from Mahindra Lifespace Developers and funding from the German Ministry of Development Cooperation (BMZ).

As part of the UN Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) Data Hub, the report offers critical insights into India’s building sector, highlighting key challenges such as housing shortages, high material consumption, and environmental impacts. The sector accounts for 38% of annual primary energy use, 31% of electricity consumption, and 32% of national GHG emissions, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable construction solutions.

The study also explores policy initiatives alongside technological advancements in low-carbon materials and construction techniques. A key component of the project is the Digital Building Passport app (CAPSA), which enables automated embodied carbon calculations and assesses the carbon mitigation potential of best-practice materials.

With India’s real estate market projected to grow significantly, this report provides valuable data and strategies for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and sustainability advocates to support the transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient built environment.