Development Alternatives, in collaboration with IIT-Bhubaneswar, convened a Consultative Meeting in Bhubaneswar to explore pathways for decarbonising Odisha’s construction sector. The dialogue brought together representatives from government departments, research institutions, and key stakeholders to discuss opportunities for promoting eco-friendly, resource-efficient, and low-carbon building materials—such as fly ash bricks, low-carbon cement, recycled aggregates, geopolymer bricks, compressed stabilised earth blocks, and bamboo—particularly in public procurement and affordable housing projects.

Aligned with India’s NDCs, SDGs, and Odisha’s sustainability ambitions, the initiative seeks to bridge policy gaps, foster innovation, and mainstream sustainable construction practices through research, policy development, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder engagement.

The meeting began with a contextual overview of the urgency to decarbonise Odisha’s construction sector in line with national and state climate priorities. This was followed by a presentation outlining insights on decarbonisation scenarios, mitigation potential from alternative materials, and opportunities for generating carbon credits through sustainable practices. Stakeholder feedback and reflections enriched the discussion, reinforcing the need for coordinated action towards a low-carbon built environment in the state.