Regnews, Hyderabad, April 22: IGBC has celebrated World Earth Day 2025 with a special Green Crusaders Felicitation Program, honoring trailblazers who are driving the green building revolution across the nation. The Green Crusaders included some marquee names like Blue Star Godrej, DCB Bank, HDFC Bank, Infosys, Dominos, Wipro, Balrampur Chini, Indian Oil Corp. Ltd., LTI Mindtree Ltd. and IIM Shillong.
This year’s World Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet”, focused on the urgent need for clean energy solutions and sustainable development. Mr. C Shekhar Reddy, National Vice Chairman, CII Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the role of the building sector in achieving the global goal of tripling clean electricity by 2030.
In his address, Mr. Reddy highlighted the significance of green buildings as power savers, generators, and protectors of the planet. He noted that more than 142 new projects, covering over 875 million square feet across 14 sectors, have been registered with IGBC, marking a significant milestone in India’s green building journey. This brings the total number of IGBC-registered projects to 15,800+, spanning an impressive 13.56 billion square feet, which demonstrates the growing commitment of the building sector towards sustainable practices.
ALSO READ: Gold or a property?
“Buildings must evolve from being energy consumers to energy producers, integrating renewable energy technologies, and reducing our dependence on external resources,” Mr. Reddy remarked. He also emphasized that Net Zero buildings—those that are self-sufficient in terms of energy, water, and waste—are the future of sustainable construction in India.
IGBC’s efforts are further supported by state and central governments across the country, with 13 states offering various incentives for IGBC-certified green building projects, such as additional FAR, IGBC fee reimbursements, and subsidies for green infrastructure. At the central government level, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has expedited clearances for projects adopting IGBC Green Building Ratings.
Over 150 projects are currently pursuing IGBC Net Zero Energy, Water, Waste-to-Landfill, and Carbon Ratings, setting a clear direction for India’s sustainable construction landscape. IGBC’s vast network of 30 chapters across the country plays a crucial role in promoting these principles, facilitating collaboration, and driving the green building movement at every level.
Mr. Reddy concluded his address by calling on developers, architects, engineers, policymakers, and all stakeholders in the building sector to embrace green and Net Zero principles with urgency and commitment. “This is not just about saving energy; it’s about securing a sustainable, healthier future for our children and grandchildren,” he said.
