The real carbon cost? Forests cleared for limestone, pollution from kilns, and even the transport that brings cement to your local construction site. By 2070, India plans to be net-zero. But with cement production projected to jump to 1.5 billion tonnes; nearly 5x today; that goal faces a giant hurdle: the very material building our future. The irony? Traditional alternatives like lime mortar (used in the Taj Mahal!) still work; and are far greener. But cement dominates because of supply chains, standards, and marketing; not because it’s the best. Decarbonising cement isn’t just about using waste fuel or reducing clinker. It’s about rethinking how we build; and whether we’re willing to trade convenience for sustainability. The clock is ticking. And the foundation of India’s growth might be its biggest climate challenge.