The theme for World Environment Day 2025 “Beat Plastic Pollution" could not have been more apt. Though plastic was considered once as a “wonder material” due to its durability, stability, affordability & versatility, its perception has changed due to severe environmental pollution being caused by its use.
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern— it is a strategic imperative.
We've started seeing policy incentives move in the right direction, with performance-linked approvals, environmentally sensitive design mandates, and land use reforms that prioritise natural ventilation or limit glass-heavy façades. However, design ambition still lags behind the urgency of environmental concerns. The opportunity lies in incorporating environmentally friendly choices into standard practice, not just for new builds but also for retrofits and upgrades.
Vyom Agarwal, President, Action Construction Equipment Ltd. said, “At ACE, we have embedded green design and low-carbon growth principles into the very fabric of our operations. Through continuous investment in R&D and technology-driven solutions, we have developed Electric Cranes, CEV-V compliant machinery, and high-efficiency electric forklifts that enhance productivity while significantly lowering emissions. We also prioritize renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency across our manufacturing units. Sustainability is a shared journey, and we believe that empowering leadership, employees, partners, and customers with data-driven tools and awareness is vital for long-term impact. Our vision is to build not just machines, but a future-ready, greener tomorrow, where development and environmental stewardship move forward hand in hand.”
Once again, World Environment Day reminds us about the roles and responsibilities of each one of us and the corporations to protect “one and the only habitat”. The first World Environment Day (WED) celebrations took place in 1973 with the theme “Only One Earth". Since then, it has become a global platform for raising awareness and encouraging action to protect the environment.
S.T. Ravishankar, Vice President, Environment and Sustainability, Rodic Consultants states that Rodic takes pride in being environmentally conscious in designs and operations. “We understand the nexus between the resources (water, energy, materials), nature and society at large. At every stage, we evaluate and review the footprint of our actions to create a net positive impact. We truly understand the importance of our planet and the people for our existence and value ESG in all our operations. We consider ourselves fortunate to be in the infrastructure domain as we are contributing to the country’s robust GDP in a sustainable and inclusive way by aligning with SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), Visit Bharat 2047, and net zero commitment of GOI. Sustainability thinking is impregnated in all our designs, operations and allied activities. “
Vikas Rathod, CEO & MD, Ensemble Infrastructure India Ltd. throws light on how the environment is no longer a backdrop to design decisions, especially in urban India, and why commercial real estate must respond not just to policy or sustainability trends but to the very real pressures of heat, density, and environmental resilience. “This World Environment Day, the spotlight should be on how policy, infrastructure, and design intersect especially in urban India. We are already experiencing the consequences of dense, heat-trapping construction across our major cities. Concrete-heavy development, sealed glass buildings, and unchecked site planning have exacerbated the urban heat island effect, making our environments increasingly difficult to live and work in. The irony is that we're spending more energy trying to cool our buildings than designing them to stay cool in the first place. As a company working at the intersection of design and execution, Ensemble sees this challenge up close. Today, a commercial space in a city like Mumbai must account not only for operational efficiency but also for environmental resilience, and these cannot be addressed post-handover. Airflow, light, materials, insulation, and drainage are fundamental to making buildings livable in the climate conditions we now face.”
It's a call to action for built environment professionals to rethink not only what we build, but how and where. As developers, architects, policymakers, and business owners, we are co-authors of our cities' environmental futures. At Ensemble, we believe design has to lead because every overlooked window, vent, or material choice either adds to the problem or quietly solves it.
