ANNOUNCEMENTS
The construction sector in India significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to the widespread use of carbon-intensive building materials. As urbanization accelerates in cities like New Delhi, there is an urgent need to adopt sustainable construction practices that reduce environmental impact while enhancing building performance. This thesis investigates the potential of low-carbon intensive materials—specifically Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks, Hempcrete, and Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)—to improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort in urban residential buildings in New Delhi’s composite climate. A reference building was modelled and simulated under different material scenarios to assess their impact on annual energy consumption and indoor thermal conditions. The study evaluates key performance metrics including embodied carbon, operational energy demand, and resultant indoor temperatures. Results indicate that these alternative materials offer considerable reductions in energy consumption and enhanced thermal comfort compared to conventional materials, thereby supporting the case for their broader implementation in sustainable urban housing.
Keywords: Low-Carbon Building Materials, Building Modelling and Simulation, Urban Construction, Energy Efficiency.
