Global building sector emissions have risen by 1% annually since 2010 due to urbanisation, and embodied carbon could make up 50% of emissions from new construction by 2050
India’s total building floor area is projected to be around 57,600 million sqm by 2050 from 15,800 million sqm in 2015
Buildings in India account for over 40% of the country’s total energy consumption, 20% of the raw material use, 20% of water use, and 20% of land use in cities. They are also responsible for 40% of total carbon emissions, 30% of solid waste generation, and 20% of water effluents
The transport sector contributes about 12.1% of India’s energy-related CO2 emissions and 9.7% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions
OVERVIEW
By 2050, it is estimated that half of India’s population will live in cities. Increased urbanisation is linked to rising emissions. As per an estimate, cities and towns in India contribute two-thirds more emissions per person than in rural India.
It is imperative for urban local bodies and state planning entities to plan for their transition to net-zero through climate adaptation and mitigation measures while building resilience in urban geographies. Since cities will increasingly play a role in India’s growth and development story, they will also be critical in helping India achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
To achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2070, urban areas need to transition to low-carbon systems in sectors such as built environment, transportation, and energy. Given the current scenario, it is imperative to look at emissions planning in metros as well as Tier 2 and 3 towns and cities and peri urban areas; and to build their resilience towards the impact of climate change.
Therefore, Innovations in Sustainable Urban Transition, a joint initiative between Social Alpha and the U of T India Foundation in association with select urban local bodies, proposes to support innovators and entrepreneurs developing technology-led solutions to build climate resilience within urban geographies in India.
Focus Areas
Build
With an expanding urban landscape in India, the demand for buildings (residential and commercial) is set to rise. The resultant impact on the environment in terms of emissions and waste is also expected to grow. To address this, there is a need for solutions that can optimise resource use, develop alternative materials, safely manage waste in the construction industry, and reduce its environmental impact, which can include but are not limited to:
- Material and process-led innovations that are alternatives to conventionally used construction materials such as cement, bricks and timber and enable reduced water and energy consumption in the construction of buildings.
- Process-led innovations that enable cleaner manufacturing of construction materials, which reduce/eliminate drudgery and harmful effects on human health.
- Technology-enabled and/or process-led innovations that enable the collection, transportation, and segregation of C&D waste.
- Material and process innovations that enhance the mechanical properties of C&D waste components to increase their life.
Operate
As the footprint of the real estate sector in India continues to expand, a rise in the demand for energy remains inevitable. However, it is essential that this rising demand is met through optimised and alternative sources of energy that are efficient, cost-effective, and minimise their impact on the environment. Here, innovations can include but are not limited to:
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that address the needs of Indian climatic zones and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Renewable energy systems (solar, biomass, wind, or hydrokinetic) that enable cost competitiveness and facilitate adoption.
- Biogas production that enables high performance and resource recovery.
- Advanced materials and cell chemistry for cost-effective, high-performance batteries for small, medium and large-scale production.
Over the years, India has consistently performed poorly in terms of enabling access to clean air, with the potential to reduce an average Indian’s lifespan by 5.3 years due to exposure to PM 2.5. As the situation continues to remain dire, there is a need for solutions that not only mitigate and address air pollution but enable the accurate measurement of its impact, and they include but are not limited to:
- Material, design, and process innovations that can reduce defects and inconsistencies, leading to higher accuracies in the monitoring of air quality.
- Low-cost air pollution control technologies, which are alternatives to conventionally used systems, are currently characterised by prohibitive costs.
- Material innovations in filtration technologies that enable indoor air purification and are alternatives to conventionally used filters (HEPA, activated carbon).
With the expansion of urban geographies, the demand for water is expected to rise, and it is essential that its distribution be equitable. However, this has consistently not been the case, highlighting how water needs to be valued as a circular resource at every aspect of its lifecycle (from access to quality and reuse). To do this, there is also a need for solutions to solve various challenges (scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, and O&M), and they include but are not limited to:
Drinking Water
- Atmospheric water generators and desalinators (energy and cost-efficient) that reduce dependence on groundwater while enabling access to water suitable for consumption.
- Network and pipeline monitoring that reduces inefficiencies in the distribution network and enables operations and maintenance of pipelines.
- Operations and maintenance-related innovations that can ensure water quality in terms of non-networked access to water.
- Filters (design, material used and process of filtration) that reduce inefficiencies in the existing filtration systems and target niche contaminants in endemic zones.
Stormwater Management & Municipal Sewage
- Stormwater management (early warning systems, collection, treatment, reuse of stormwater)
- Decentralised systems of sewage treatment at the household or community level, which can be retrofitted to existing plumbing systems and produce water that can be reused for non-potable purposes.
- Mechanisation in the O&M of sewer lines and septic tanks and facilitating desludging operations.
Dispose
Today, India’s urban geographies are characterised by the unsustainable disposal of various streams of waste (organic, construction & demolition, solar, battery, plastic, sanitary, textile, chemical and toxic waste) in landfills and low-income settlements. With expanding urban geographies, there is a need for solutions to establish traceability, reduce consumption, and enable reuse and recycling. These include but are not limited to:
- Collection and upcycling of various waste streams to prevent their disposal in landfills, water bodies, or via open burning.
- Advanced or automated sorting technologies that meet accuracy and speed benchmarks for sorting various waste streams.
- Inclusion of digital platforms that enable real-time monitoring and optimisation of waste collection routes.
- Recycling with improved efficiency, to produce high quality output in a cost-effective manner
- Chemical recycling and advanced recycling which can enable derivation of high-value products from various waste streams.
Mobility
With rising urbanisation and an increase in disposable income, private vehicle ownership in India has seen an increase. However, these gains have not been equitable, and there is also a need to enhance access to public transport systems in the country, specifically to avoid challenges related to affordability, traffic congestion, road accidents, and adverse climatic impacts. Solutions to enable sustainable modes of urban mobility include but are not limited to:
- Software and hardware for collision avoidance, traffic management, and human safety.
- Enhanced use of public transportation by addressing challenges related to route optimisation, occupancy, timings, etc.
- Powertrain and EV components (deep tech-based) to accelerate the adoption and efficiency of electric vehicles.
- Ultra-fast charging and charging infrastructure.
Program Offerings
Important Dates
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Applications Open
23rd August 2024
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Application Deadline
22nd September 2024
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Evaluation of Applications
23rd September 2024 – 7th October 2024
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Jury Round
15th October 2024
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Announcement of Winners
23rd – 30th October 2024
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Pilot Implementation
November – December 2024
frequently asked questions
1. Who can apply?
Innovators and start-ups with solutions that can enable climate resilience across the built environment in collaboration with urban local bodies in India and enable them to adopt low-carbon pathways are invited to apply. The start-up must be registered in India, with a citizen of India holding at least 51% of the company’s shares. Currently, the program is open only to start-ups at the following stages:
- Pilot Ready – Innovators and start-ups with solutions at TRL 6+
- Market Ready – Innovators and start-ups with solutions at TRL 7+
2. What is the duration of the program?
The program’s duration is 8 months.
3. What is the structure of the program?
The program has been designed as an Accelerator to enable start-ups to receive market validation in different geographies while outlining a path for commercialisation and scale through pilot opportunities, mentorship sessions and workshops with experts, interface with government agencies, and exposure to the ecosystems built by Social Alpha and the U of T India Foundation.
4. What benefits can I avail from this program?
- Grant support of up to INR 35 lakhs for pilot deployments.
- Overall business advisory via a dedicated portfolio manager.
- Access to experts and mentors on aspects such as product market fit, go-to-market strategy, HR, and certifications relevant to green buildings and the built environment.
- International exposure and collaboration opportunities through the U of T India Foundation and Social Alpha networks.
- Seed investment of up to INR 1 cr (subject to due diligence by Social Alpha).
5. How will the pilot location be determined?
The pilot locations will be determined based on the needs of the partnering urban local body. However, the final matching exercise will be undertaken by the program team at Social Alpha in consultation with the urban local bodies and the start-up.
6. How often will Social Alpha interface with the winners during the program?
There will be a regular and continuous interface between the winning cohort and the program team at Social Alpha. Each start-up will be allocated a portfolio manager to assist with customised requests. The needs of the start-up will be determined through an extensive needs assessment exercise (outlining the start-up’s priorities), post which a mutually agreed upon plan will be outlined to determine the frequency of the interface.
7. Is it mandatory for the start-up to take the seed investment from Social Alpha? Is the investment guaranteed?
No, it is not mandatory to take the seed investment from Social Alpha. Only interested start-ups will be considered for investments. Further, participation in the program does not guarantee investment, as approval is subject to thorough due diligence and fitment with Social Alpha’s investment thesis.
8. Is participation in the program paid?
No, there is no fee associated with participation in the program.
Terms and Conditions
Eligibility
- Participating or proposed ventures should be independent entities, meaning they should not be a subsidiary of an existing corporation or have legal ties to a government body.
- The applicant’s company must be registered in India (preferably as a private limited company with a DPIIT registration). The shareholding by Indian promoters in the company should be at least 51%.
Submissions and Participation
- Submissions which are incomplete will be deemed void and disqualified from the evaluations.
- Submissions should be the original work of the participating entity and should demonstrate positive, sustainable and scalable social and environmental impact in India (though not exclusively in the region).
- Participants agree to the use of their names and photographs and disclosure of their country of residence and are required to cooperate with any other reasonable requests by the organiser relating to any publicity-related activities.
- Participants are required to submit a declaration of good standing and solvency at the final stage of evaluation. If any change in circumstance invalidates their good standing and solvency, the team must immediately inform the organisers.
- All participants own the rights to their ideas. Participants must properly acknowledge any trademarks, patented or copyrighted materials of others that are incorporated into the submission materials. Participants are responsible for obtaining any necessary permission before incorporating such materials into their submissions.
- Submitted ideas are protected in the spirit of non-disclosure, and all submitted materials will be treated as company confidential. The only people with access to the entry materials will be the evaluators/judges and select members. Materials will not be distributed to any other party unless requested by a participant. No other provisions are made to protect intellectual property.
- As an effort to support the innovation ecosystem, non-sensitive data may be shared with government agencies or partner organisations, specifically in terms of creating a blueprint for the adoption of start-up-led innovations by urban local bodies and state agencies. This will also include sharing data on an Innovation Platform for Urban Innovations, established as part of the program.
- Participants are advised not to disclose critical information that would affect the successful filing of patent(s). All presentations are open to the public, and some presentations may be videotaped. Attendance by media personnel is expected in the final round(s). Any data or information discussed or divulged in public sessions by participants should be considered information that will likely enter the public realm, and entrants should not assume any right of confidentiality in any data or information discussed, divulged or presented in these sessions.
Decisions Regarding the Selection of Winners
- The selection of the ‘winners’ is at the sole discretion of the judges and the organisers from Social Alpha, the U of T India Foundation and partnering organisations, including government agencies, where applicable. Best efforts will be made to make decisions in accordance with this document.
- Throughout any and all phases of Techtonic, all decisions of the judges are final.
Disqualification and Organiser’s Right to Amend Competition Rules
- The organisers of Techtonic reserve the right to disqualify any participant who is found to have violated the spirit of the program guidelines and terms and conditions stated herein. Disqualified participants shall forfeit any and all prizes awarded to them.
- The organisers reserve the right to amend these rules at any point before the closing date of Techtonic in line with the overall goal of the program.
- The indicated dates for Techtonic may be revised at any point of time by the organisers. Any change in schedule will be suitably intimated on the Techtonic webpage and on other relevant platforms.
Privacy Policy
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Data Security
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Notification of Changes in the Privacy Policy
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