In the face of the global imperative to limit the rise in temperatures to 1.5 °C (above pre-industrial level), as outlined in the Paris Agreement, nations have been striving to transition towards a net-zero economy. This challenge is particularly pronounced for India, where the dual goals of fulfilling developmental aspirations and curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pose a complex challenge. The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6) assessed the remaining global carbon budget (from 2020 onwards)—for a 50% chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C—to be 500 GtCO2-e. India's fair share of this global budget is estimated to be around 89 GtCO2-e by the Climate Equity Monitor. India’s buildings sector significantly contributes to energy demand and GHG emissions. This is expected to rise further as most of the buildings that will exist in India in the next 30 years are yet to be built. Addressing the challenges in this sector, therefore, assumes immense significance not only for progressing towards the nation’s developmental goals but also for steering it on a more sustainable trajectory. As such, this report explores different decarbonisation pathways for India's buildings sector, examining the complexities and opportunities inherent in achieving this transformative objective.
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