This paper focuses on certain issues pertaining to energy, carbon emissions, and sustainability of building construction with particular reference to the Indian construction industry. The use of sustainable natural materials in the past, related durability issues, and the implications of currently used energy-intensive materials on carbon emissions and sustainability are discussed. Some statistics on the Indian construction sector regarding materials produced in bulk quantities and the energy implications are discussed. Examples of low embodied energy materials are provided. An analysis of total embodied energy in conventional and alternative building systems shows a nearly 50% reduction in embodied energy of buildings. Potential uses for solid wastes for building materials are presented.