Businesses advised to embed circular systems for urban sustainability

An ecological economist has urged businesses across the Asia-Pacific to move beyond conventional Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance frameworks and instead embed natural resource efficiency into their core strategies.

Dr. Hariharan Chandrasekhar, Chairman of the Indian Green Building Council's Bengaluru Chapter, delivered the message during a regional webinar organized by the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) Asia Pacific offices, in celebration of the 2025 WTCA Day.

In his talk, titled “Sustainable Real Estate Development: Shaping the Future of APAC Cities”, Dr. Chandrasekhar emphasized that Asia-Pacific is now the "theatre of the challenge of sustainability," facing accelerating urbanization and rising climate pressures. He pointed to water and energy systems as critical vulnerabilities, particularly in cities with sprawling infrastructure.

“Cities occupy barely 3% of the planet but impact over 98% of its ecosystems,” he noted, urging decision-makers to adopt circular economies and value engineering. He challenged the efficiency of reverse osmosis systems and called for widespread adoption of rainwater harvesting, presenting data showing the potential for self-sufficiency in industrial campuses.

Dr. Chandrasekhar advocated for reductions of up to 70% in raw water use and 30% in energy consumption—not as a matter of austerity, but as smart, cost-effective design. “If a company is not resource-efficient, it cannot credibly claim to be successful in today’s climate-sensitive economy,” he said.

The session was followed by a panel discussion featuring WTCA leaders from India, mainland China, and Taiwan, highlighting green infrastructure strategies adopted at their respective centers.

The WTCA Day event also marked the 23rd anniversary of the international day recognized by the United Nations for promoting economic development and peace through trade.