Circular office fit-outs can cut carbon emissions by 25-55 percent, says Savills India report

A new report from Savills India finds that using sustainable and reusable materials in office interior fit-outs can reduce embodied carbon emissions by 25 to 55 percent. The report, titled 'The Circular Leap: Reimagining India's Office Fit-Outs', notes that while circular fit-out strategies may cost 10 to 15 percent more upfront, the long-term environmental and financial benefits are significant. The built environment accounts for 30 to 40 percent of global annual carbon emissions, and interior fit-outs are a major contributor. The report highlights that materials used in interiors, along with their production, transportation, and frequent replacement, add substantially to a building's carbon footprint. Savills India's Managing Director Sumit Rakshit said the transition toward circular office fit-outs in India will be evolutionary rather than immediate. This approach offers a practical path for reducing emissions in the commercial real estate sector without sacrificing functionality.