In a recent episode of Simple Hai! with Vivek Law, Annu Talreja—founder and CEO of Accacia—joined host Vivek Law for an eye-opening conversation on how real estate, one of the most traditional industries, is being transformed by the urgent need for sustainability.
Talreja, one of the few women in India to make a mark in this male-dominated sector, began by calling out a startling statistic: 40per cent of the world’s carbon emissions come from buildings. “It’s something not many people realise,” she told Law, “But the way we construct and operate buildings has a massive environmental footprint.”
From CSR to Carbon Numbers
Talreja, whose background spans architecture, urban planning and management, explained how the definition of sustainability in real estate has undergone a major shift in the past few years. “It used to be vague, like CSR—well-intentioned but hard to measure,” she told Law. “Now, everything is about carbon emissions. How much are you saving? That’s what matters.”
This change has pushed sustainability from the margins to the core of real estate decision-making.
Globally, extreme weather events have made the risks very real. “Look at the property damage in Florida or the wildfires in California,” Talreja said. “Insurance premiums have doubled, and in some cases, properties have become uninsurable.”
The High Price of Construction
Buildings generate emissions in two ways: during construction and operation. Talreja noted that 60- 70per cent of emissions come from construction alone, thanks largely to high-carbon materials like cement and steel. “Cement alone contributes 7per cent of global emissions—it’s huge,” she said. Her company, Accacia, helps developers identify greener alternatives such as green cement and steel, as well as smart glass. On the operational side, energy use is key. Accacia supports developers in integrating solar power, renewable energy systems and EV charging stations. “Whether it’s a hotel, a warehouse, or a data centre—we work across asset classes to bring down emissions in measurable ways,” she told Law.
India’s Building Boom—and Burden
India’s construction sector is both a major growth driver and a growing environmental concern. “In cities like Mumbai, the rising pollution levels are partly due to unchecked construction,” Talreja noted. “Unlike Singapore, we don’t have strict dust or energy-use controls on sites.” She added that the common reliance on diesel generators, due to slow electricity provisioning, makes matters worse.
That said, she praised India’s progress. “The government has done a fantastic job in the last five years. But more public pressure is needed,” she told Law. “People should be asking their residential societies for solar panels and EV infrastructure.”
Rethinking Real Estate ROI Talreja also touched on the changing economics of sustainability. With carbon taxes being rolled out in many countries, businesses are now being charged per metric tonne of excess emissions. “Some reports say carbon tax could rival corporate income tax by 2030,” she said. This makes climate risk a financial risk—especially in real estate, where buildings are long-term assets often held for decades. “Energy costs, operational costs, insurance risks—it all compounds,” Talreja explained. “And investors are beginning to take note.”
Indian Real Estate Market: What Lies Ahead
With her global perspective—including experience buying hotels for Marriott—Talreja has a unique view of the Indian real estate cycle. “Prices aren’t going down,” she told Law. “They’ll stabilise, maybe inch up, but we won’t see a drop. Demand has surged post-COVID, and supply hasn’t caught up.” She expects rents to continue growing by 8–10per cent annually and believes that regional markets, too, will follow this trend. “This is India’s moment,” she said. “And real estate will be a big part of that story.”
On Building a Business—and a Life
As someone who could have taken the comfortable path—coming from a Sindhi business family—Talreja instead chose the harder road of building something meaningful. “This kind of work takes 200per cent commitment,” she told Law. “You can’t do it halfway and expect big outcomes.” When asked about work-life balance, she laughed. “I walk during calls. I spend time with my dog. But I also believe that peace of mind is essential if you want to keep going.” Talreja’s motivation isn’t just about wealth. “If your only goal is a big exit, you’ll burn out,” she said. “You need purpose. You need to want to make a change.”
The Bigger Picture
As sustainability becomes non-negotiable, Talreja and Accacia are at the forefront of redefining what it means to build—not just in terms of architecture, but impact. For investors, developers, and everyday citizens alike, her message is clear: green buildings aren’t just about saving the environment—they’re about protecting our shared future.
