CII-Green Business Centre – Powering India’s Green Transformation and Net Zero Vision

In today’s world, where climate change, resource scarcity and environmental degradation are pressing global challenges, choosing the green path is no longer a choice, it has become an undeniable imperative for ensuring a sustainable and resilient future. In alignment with this global shift, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is committed to positioning India as a global leader in the sustainable built environment by 2025.

To achieve this ambitious goal, CII has adopted a holistic and multi-dimensional approach that integrates innovation, policy advocacy, skill development, green certifications, and industry partnerships. Through initiatives that promote energy efficiency, resource conservation, green buildings and climate-resilient infrastructure, CII is not only supporting India’s climate commitments but also enabling businesses to gain a strategic and competitive advantage in the emerging global green economy.

CII – Green Business Centre

The CII – Green Business Centre (CII-GBC) was established in the year 2004 aimed at offering world class advisory services on conservation of natural resources along with energy management, Green Buildings rating systems (IGBC), Green Company rating system (GreenCo), Renewable energy, GHG inventorization, Green Product certification (GreenPro), waste management and cleaner production.

India’s total infrastructure spending has grown exponentially in the past few years with the recent Union Budget allocating around ₹11.21 lakh crore or 3.1% of GDP for capex growth. If India has to achieve Net Zero by 2070 and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), the movement for green and net zero building must be strengthened. Over the past 20 years, CII-GBC along with Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) have shaped the green building infrastructure in India, encouraging more companies to become greener and cleaner.

CII-GBC Initiatives Advancing the Sustainability Agenda Across Indian Industry

• GreenCo Rating

The GreenCo rating system assesses the units on their environmental performance and and aligns them to national priorities such as energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy, waste management, etc. This strategic framework is the first of its kind in the world and assesses ‘How green is a company’. According to the report ⁠⁠20 years of CII Green Business Centre, recurring annual saving for GreenCo rated companies us around  ₹ 4,800 Crores and annual  GHG emission mitigation around 5 Million MT Co2 eq.

• GreenPro Certification

GreenPro is a Type 1 Ecolabel that allows end-users in the building and manufacturing sector to choose sustainable products, materials, and technologies to reduce environmental impact. The GreenPro certification by CII complies and conforms with the Global Ecolabelling Network (GENICES), giving these products global recognition.

• CII – Net Zero Program

To support India’s transition to net-zero and maintain the competitiveness of Indian companies, CII-GBC has launched the CII – Net Zero Program. This initiative aims to facilitate the industry to identify new-zero target years and developing roadmaps and action plans. According to CII’s report, more than 2100 detailed energy audits have been carried out, resulting in annual recurring savings of over Rs. 25000+ crores ($3 billion) under this initiative.

• Renewable Energy Council

The Renewable Energy Council of CII-Godrej GBC is on a mission to make India a global leader in the RE sector Its Rooftop Solar Vendor Rating Program (VRP) for improving the quality, performance and safety of rooftop solar installations in the country has helped certify more than 103 vendors from 17 states in the country. It has also facilitate the adoption of a rating programme under PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

• Green Entrepreneurship Council (GEC)

The GEC has been formed with a vision to facilitate India in becoming one of the leaders in cleantech entrepreneurship. Since its launch, GEC has enabled more than 30+ startups to reach out to the larger market, both nationally and internationally.

• Green Cooling Council

They serve as a technology-focused platform dedicated to advancing sustainable cooling solutions. The main goal of the council is to to mitigate carbon emissions and address the critical climate impact of cooling systems

• CII Council on Green Mobility

The Council was formed in May 2024 to support India’s movement towards green mobility. The council has drafted a model EV policy and submitted it to the ministry for consideration, while also developing a detailed roadmap for India to become self-sufficient in battery manufacturing.

As a pioneering initiative in the sustainability space, the CII-Green Business Centre (CII-GBC) is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in driving transformative ideas, disruptive innovations, and scalable solutions that will significantly contribute to India’s ambitious Net Zero vision for 2070. Through its integrated approach, CII-GBC is not only fostering environmental responsibility but also enabling industries to become globally competitive in the green economy.