New Delhi : Today, Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA),
the social enterprise of the Development Alternatives Group, hosted a Seminar
on Eco-friendly Brick Solutions – Good Bricks at the DA Headquarters
in New Delhi. The seminar was organised in partnership with InnoCSR
(South Korea), Korea Energy Agency, and Reserve Carbon to advance the dialogue
on sustainable construction materials in India.
The session was inaugurated by Mr. Shrashtant
Patara, CEO, Development Alternatives, who reflected on DA’s
four-decade-long commitment to alternate building materials and its role
in pioneering sustainable construction technologies in India. He emphasis
ed that the partnership with InnoCSR builds on DA’s legacy of eco-material
innovation and offers a path towards reducing the sector’s carbon footprint at
scale.
This was followed by an address from Mr. Sam
Yoonsuk Lee, Founder & CEO of InnoCSR, who introduced the Good
Bricks System (GBS) — a non-fired, low-carbon brick manufacturing
technology that eliminates the use of coal, reduces air pollution,
and delivers durable, cost-effective construction solutions. Highlighting
InnoCSR’s work across Nepal, Pakistan, and India, Mr. Lee shared that each
Good Brick manufactured can reduce approximately 550 grams of CO₂
emissions compared to traditional fired bricks.
The seminar brought together a wide range of
stakeholders from enterprises, academia, and civil society, underlining
the strong momentum for sustainable alternatives in India’s construction
sector. Organisations such as Mahila Housing Trust (MHT), Varaha
ClimateAg Pvt. Ltd., Transdisciplinary Research Cluster in Frugality Studies,
Vision EIS Consulting, Dhun Life, Xynteo, Kewalya Export, Universal
Traders Ltd, Sijay Projects India Pvt. Ltd., Greentech Knowledge
Solutions Pvt. Ltd., DHC, Forrester Research, SAHYOG Foundation, Asakam
Ecoplanet Solutions LLP, and Call for Climate participated
actively, sharing insights on technology adoption, market readiness, and
collaborative opportunities for scaling up.
As India accelerates its journey toward
achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, platforms like the Good
Bricks Seminar highlight the urgent need for low-carbon
construction technologies. By bringing together innovators,
entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders, the event reinforced
the importance of collective action in shaping a greener future. The
partnership between TARA, InnoCSR, and allied organisations marks a critical
step in reducing emissions from one of India’s largest industrial sectors while
creating new pathways for sustainable growth and resilient communities.
QUOTES
Mr. Shrashtant Patara, CEO, Development
Alternatives:
“Development Alternatives Group has always
championed eco-friendly building materials, right from our inception. Our
collaboration with InnoCSR and partners is an important step towards
transforming India’s construction sector. Good Bricks not only reduce emissions
but also open doors for sustainable enterprises and livelihoods across the
country.”
Mr. Sam Yoonsuk Lee, Founder & CEO,
InnoCSR:
“Our alliance with TARA is about more than
technology—it is about creating systemic change. The Good Bricks System
eliminates fossil fuel use, ensures top-quality construction, a profitable
solution for manufacturers and contributes to a cleaner environment. Together,
we are building the foundation for a sustainable future in India and
beyond.”
About TARA
TARA (Technology and Action for Rural Advancement) is
the social enterprise of the Development Alternatives Group, set up in
1985 in New Delhi. It is dedicated to building capacity, incubating
business models, and managing processes that generate social, economic,
and environmental value at scale. TARA has been at the forefront
of developing and disseminating eco-friendly building technologies in
India and beyond.
About InnoCSR
InnoCSR is a global green technology firm
headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Through its flagship Good Bricks
System, InnoCSR provides sustainable, non-fired brick solutions that
eliminate fossil fuel use, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure high-quality,
cost effective construction. The system has been successfully adopted in Nepal,
Pakistan, and India, with an expanding footprint across Asia.
