India stands at the cusp of an unprecedented infrastructure boom, with rapid urbanisation and large-scale development set to shape the nation’s future for decades. This growth presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine construction through the lens of sustainability, circularity, and climate resilience. In this exclusive interaction, Tarun Jami, Founder & CEO of GreenJams, shares his perspective on the future of India’s construction industry, the growing importance of embodied carbon, the role of agricultural waste in creating rural and environmental impact, and why success in construction must be measured not only by cost and performance but also by its contribution to a more sustainable planet.
Q1. How do you see India’s construction industry evolving over the next decade?
India is entering one of the largest infrastructure expansion phases in its history, with rapid urbanisation, industrial development and public infrastructure investments. This presents an extraordinary opportunity to build differently from the very beginning. Instead of replicating conventional high-carbon construction practices, we have the chance to mainstream carbon-negative materials, energy-efficient buildings and circular manufacturing systems. Sustainability should no longer be treated as a niche segment it must become a fundamental design principle. The decisions we make today will shape India’s environmental footprint for decades to come.
Q2. Why is embodied carbon becoming such an important conversation?
For many years, the focus has been on operational emissions, the energy buildings consume during their lifetime. While that remains important, embodied carbon is increasingly recognised as a major contributor to overall emissions because it is generated before a building is even occupied. Every brick, block, and structural material carries a carbon footprint from extraction, manufacturing, and transportation. Reducing embodied carbon requires rethinking the very materials we build with. It represents one of the biggest opportunities for the construction industry to accelerate meaningful climate action.
Q3. GreenJams works closely with agricultural residues. How does this create rural impact?
Crop residue is often viewed as waste, leading many farmers to burn it because they have limited alternatives. By integrating these residues into construction materials, we transform an environmental challenge into an economic opportunity. Farmers gain an additional source of income, air pollution from stubble burning can be reduced, and valuable biomass becomes part of a circular manufacturing ecosystem. Sustainability should improve livelihoods alongside protecting the environment. Creating shared value across the supply chain is essential if climate solutions are to achieve lasting impact.
Q4. Recognition, such as the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label, validates your work. What does it mean for GreenJams?
International recognition, such as the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label reinforces that climate-positive innovation can also meet rigorous commercial and technical standards. It validates years of research, product development and engineering while increasing confidence among customers, investors and policymakers. More importantly, it demonstrates that Indian innovation can compete globally by solving some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Such recognition motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable construction technologies.
Q5. If you could drive one change in the construction ecosystem, what would it be?
I would encourage the industry to redefine how success is measured. Today, projects are often evaluated primarily on cost, speed and structural performance. While these factors will always matter, environmental impact must become an equally important metric. Every material selection influences our carbon footprint for decades. If developers, architects and policymakers begin viewing every building as an opportunity to restore the environment rather than simply occupy land, we can fundamentally transform the future of infrastructure. Sustainability should become a core performance indicator, not an afterthought.
