Green cables are eco-friendly alternatives that leverage innovations in materials, manufacturing techniques, and design to mitigate environmental impact
In recent years, the construction and real estate sectors have witnessed a paradigm shift towards sustainability. This shift represents not just a trend but a fundamental rethinking of how we design, build, and inhabit our living spaces. Gone are the days when construction was solely focused on functionality and aesthetics; today, sustainability is one of the factors reshaping market dynamics.
This evolution is driven by a confluence of factors. Environmental consciousness has increased globally, spurred by alarming reports of climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. Governments and regulatory bodies are enacting stringent measures to curb carbon emissions, promote renewable energy sources, and incentivise sustainable building practices. Simultaneously, consumers, particularly the younger generations, are demanding eco-friendly homes that not only provide comfort and convenience but also minimise their ecological footprint.
The construction and real estate sectors have responded to this call for sustainability with vigor and creativity. Architects, engineers, developers, and manufacturers are collaborating to design and produce buildings and infrastructure that are energy-efficient, resource-conscious, and environmentally responsible.
This shift extends beyond individual projects to encompass entire ecosystems of sustainable practices, from eco-friendly materials like recycled steel and sustainable wood to smart technologies that optimise energy use and reduce waste. It encompasses green infrastructure initiatives such as green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, energy-efficient lighting, etc. In this context, the role of green products like wires and cables becomes paramount.
These seemingly mundane components of modern infrastructure, carry electricity, data, and communication signals throughout buildings and cities. By transitioning to green wires and cables, designed for energy efficiency, the industry is taking a significant step towards a more sustainable future.
The wires industry is no exception to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) norms instituted by regulators and adopted by investors across the world. In India, the SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has constituted a set of policies for ESG referred to as the BRSR core.
Such regulations only highlight the need for balanced ESG disclosures by organisations.
Several leaders have extolled the need to rationalise energy and consumption requirements and the wires industry can be no exception to this. For a nuanced understanding of sustainability and the industry revolution, one may ideally focus on the paradox of needs in our contemporary times. At one end, the internet champions our daily lives as an indispensable tool. One shudders to think about what would happen if there were no internet. On the other side of the spectrum, the wires powering the internet pose a huge challenge, even as the world strives to adopt a conscious sustainability model.
The real estate and social infrastructure of the internet have demanded the creation of huge data centres, network equipment, and wiring, which consume vast amounts of energy. According to several industry estimates, running the internet for a year alone consumes approximately 200 – 400 Twh (terra watt hours) or roughly the energy consumption of a country the size of Argentina or the Netherlands. Enterprises are not only aware of such statistics but actively scout for cleaner and more sustainable products.
Traditional wires and cables have long been associated with significant environmental challenges. Green cables are eco-friendly alternatives that leverage innovations in materials, manufacturing techniques, and design to mitigate environmental impact. These deliver optimal performance across sectors such as the internet, technology, real estate, and even automotive. By incorporating energy-efficient design principles, green cables epitomise the convergence of sustainability and technological advancement.
On the demand front, realtors and conscious customers scouted the market for products that would be durable, smoke-free and least risky in the case of a fire, For such consumers, a piece of wire is a vital investment in building a factory or a home. Increasing use of green wires and cables has therefore also found resonance with eco-friendly homes and user-groups such as millennials.
With governments around the world implementing stringent regulations and incentives to promote sustainable construction, consumers and realtors are likely to prioritise environmental objectives. Advancements in technology, such as the development of innovative materials and construction techniques, are certainly enabling humanity to build more sustainable structures than ever before.
Days such as World Earth Day are certainly moments to brainstorm on the next sustainable idea.
But pragmatism demands that we think of applications that could power us towards a resilient, efficient, and sustainable future—one that is in harmony with the earth. The conservation of resources and promotion of sustainability are not only moral imperative but also exude sound business practices.
(Amit Mathur Is the President of Sales and Marketing at Finolex Cables Ltd.)