Through increased awareness, widespread adoption of AIoT solutions, and collaboration among the multi-site businesses and technology providers, we can move closer to India's vision of "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam".

India’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation has gained significant momentum in the last decade. With the theme “ Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “the world is one family,” as part of the G20 Summit agenda, India has set ambitious goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. India is among the top 15 countries with the most companies actively participating in efforts to combat climate change. The country’s focus on sustainability and energy efficiency is evident through its involvement in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) and various national initiatives like Energy Conservation Building Codes (ECBC) and the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

Buildings have emerged as a critical focus area in India’s quest for a more sustainable future. Rapid urbanization and population growth have led to a growth in buildings, leading to a substantial increase in energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This has prompted a strategic shift towards energy-efficient building practices to curtail environmental impacts. Within the overall buildings sector, multi-site businesses like retailers, food services, clinics, schools, etc., have emerged as a key segment with an increasing focus on being sustainable and energy efficient. As per a study, it is anticipated that India’s physical retail market will be valued at $1,605 billion (Rs 1,60,500 cr) in 2030, up from $860 billion (Rs 86,000 cr) in 2022. This projected growth will result in an increase in a proportional increase in energy consumption. However, there lies an immense opportunity to leverage technology, particularly AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things), to make these multi-site establishments energy-efficient and sustainable.

Multi-Site businesses are increasingly adopting technology solutions for sustainable operations. More multi-site businesses are focused on redefining customer experiences and achieving sustainability targets. They are increasingly turning to technology solutions to effectively meet these divergent goals.

1. Growing use of smart sensors for energy efficiency

   Organizations are installing more IoT enabled meters and sensors and turning their sites into dynamic networks to continuously monitor them remotely. They are harnessing the data from these devices to get precise insights into their equipment performance, and energy consumption patterns enabling them to optimize their operations.

2. Increasing equipment efficiency and uptime through proactive maintenance

   Proactive maintenance involves the utilization of edge technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize maintenance operations and make it more proactive. So, the aim is to proactively detect potential issues before they escalate into large problems and then address them, thus reducing downtime and the associated interruptions to business. This also helps the equipment to run efficiently thus avoiding energy wastage and helps increase the longevity of the equipment, allowing businesses to save on upgrades or replacements.

3. Increasing attention to healthy and comfortable experiences

   Multi-site business operators are increasingly considering IAQ as an essential component of their overall building management approach, aiming to provide healthier indoor environments while optimizing energy consumption and sustainability efforts. With IAQ awareness larger among the public post-pandemic, businesses are tracking CO2 levels and relative humidity of their site, and in some cases even reporting them on dashboards in the sites and getting certifications, to show their customers that they are providing a great indoor environment for them.

4. Growing emphasis on green building certification and standards

   Another trend in energy conservation of buildings involves the increasing adoption of green building certifications and standards. These frameworks, either voluntary or mandatory, establish guidelines and standards for evaluating the environmental performance of buildings, encompassing aspects such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, indoor air quality and carbon emissions. Some of the most widely recognized green building certifications and standards include LEED , BREEAM, WELL and EDGE. By adhering to these frameworks, buildings can showcase their commitment to sustainability and attract more occupants. Businesses are getting their sites certified to show their commitment towards sustainable operations.

Empowering India's Sustainable Future: AIoT for making building operations more energy efficient and sustainable

The retail sector, also referred to as the commercial buildings sector, has considerable growth prospects. The segment currently constitutes 33% of the total built space and is estimated to consume 320 TWh of energy by 2032.

Through increased awareness, widespread adoption of AIoT solutions, and collaboration among the multi-site businesses and technology providers, we can move closer to India's vision of "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam" – a shared responsibility to preserve our planet for generations to come.