SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | SDG 13: Climate Action
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) | Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) | Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
The APEC Project report, Enhancing Quality Infrastructure to Improve Green Material Utilization in Building Structures mentions that the construction sector contributes up to 40% of global CO2 emissions, driven largely by embodied carbon in traditional materials . Following a preliminary study and a high-level workshop in Bali (October 2025), the project identifies that while the global green building materials market is projected to reach GBP 795.9 billion by 2033, adoption is currently hindered by inconsistent definitions, limited awareness of international standards, and restricted access to certification.
Pillars of Green Material Integration The report identifies three core strategic pillars required to transform the Asia-Pacific construction industry into a low-carbon sector:
Quality Infrastructure (QI) Strengthening: Robust systems for standards, testing, and certification are foundational to building trust in new green materials. Establishing domestic Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) databases and mutual recognition of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) is essential for market credibility.
Material Innovation and Substitution: The sector must shift from carbon-intensive steel and cement to renewable alternatives like engineered bamboo, recycled composites, and geopolymer concrete. For instance, case studies showed that substituting Portland cement with industrial waste can achieve a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions per cubic meter.
Circular and Local Resource Principles: Prioritizing locally sourced and renewable materials reduces transportation emissions and supports regional economies. Successful implementations highlighted the use of fast-growing bamboo and coconut wood waste as “prima donna” sustainable materials.
What are “Environmental Product Declarations” (EPD) in the context of sustainable building? An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized, third-party verified document that quantifies the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle. Based on ISO 14025 standards, EPDs allow architects and regulators to compare the “embodied carbon” of different materials—such as comparing the global warming potential of recycled steel versus virgin aluminum—to make data-driven decisions that align with net-zero targets.
Policy Relevance
The APEC project represents a transition from voluntary green initiatives to mandatory, performance-based regulatory frameworks. By institutionalising Green Public Procurement (GPP) and harmonizing cross-border standards, APEC economies can reduce technical barriers to trade and accelerate the global adoption of low-emission construction systems.
Strategic Impact:
Scaling Green Markets in India: As India targets net-zero emissions by 2070, aligning domestic frameworks (like GRIHA) with the proposed APEC-wide Green Material Knowledge & Capacity Platform can provide the standardized training needed for Indian SMEs.
Incentivizing Private Decarbonization: Governments are urged to introduce tax incentives and carbon credits to motivate manufacturers to transition toward sustainable production and seek accredited certifications.
Advancing Standards Harmonization: Adopting performance-based specifications—which define how a material must perform (e.g., fire resistance) rather than prescribing specific materials—allows for greater flexibility and innovation in deep-tech material development.
Democratizing Sustainable Knowledge: Initiatives like the Manthan platform (India) or APEC training modules bridge the knowledge gap for tier-2 and tier-3 city contractors by providing access to verified sustainable procurement templates.
Follow the full report here: APEC Quality Infrastructure for Green Materials | APEC SCSC