Sports-Led Growth to Drive Gujarat’s Net Zero Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Future, Say Experts at IGBC Green Gujarat Summit 2026
Ahmedabad, June 13, 2026: The Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) successfully convened policymakers, developers, architects, hospitality leaders, urban planners, and sustainability experts on Friday for the 3rd Edition of the Green Gujarat Summit 2026. Held in Ahmedabad, the summit explored the theme, “Sports-Led Growth: Driving Gujarat’s Net Zero Future across Real Estate, Hospitality & Industry.” As Gujarat rapidly emerges as a premier destination for major sporting events, sports tourism, and large-scale infrastructure investments, industry leaders examined how this specialized economic momentum can act as a catalyst for sustainable urban development, green infrastructure, climate-resilient hospitality, and low-carbon industrial ecosystems, IGBC said in a press release.
The summit highlighted Gujarat’s established position as one of India’s leading green building states. Gujarat currently ranks fourth nationwide with 1,574 registered green building projects covering over 1.5 billion square feet, alongside 750 certified projects that account for more than 1.07 billion square feet of green built-up area. This expanding environmental footprint reflects widespread adoption across diverse sectors, including 912 commercial projects, 516 residential projects, 115 industrial and logistics developments, 14 built environment projects, 13 transit infrastructure setups, and four dedicated Net Zero projects.
Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, M. Thennarasan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Urban Development & Urban Housing Department, Government of Gujarat, highlighted the strategic importance of embedding sustainability into the state’s development agenda. “Gujarat stands at a defining moment in its urban development journey. As we aspire to host global events such as the 2036 Olympic Games and the World Aquatics Championships, we have a unique opportunity to use sports infrastructure as a catalyst for urban regeneration. Around the world, major sporting events have transformed cities by accelerating investments in mobility, housing, hospitality and public infrastructure. We envision a similar transformation for Ahmedabad and Gujarat—one that is globally competitive, inclusive and future-ready. However, rapid urbanization and growing resource consumption demand a strong commitment to sustainability. Clean air, efficient water management and resource-conscious construction practices must become integral to the way we build and live. I urge all stakeholders to embed sustainability into both development projects and daily practices to ensure a better future for generations to come. Through progressive policies and incentives, including support for affordable housing, the Government of Gujarat is committed to fostering sustainable urban growth. Our objective is not only to create world-class infrastructure for global events but also to build resilient, livable and environmentally responsible cities.”
Welcoming the delegates, Taral Shah, Chairman, IGBC Ahmedabad Chapter and Managing Director, Shivalik Group, underscored the transformative potential of sports-driven investments in accelerating green development. “Sports-led development presents a unique opportunity to drive sustainable urban growth. Every investment in sports infrastructure creates a multiplier effect across housing, hospitality, mobility and public infrastructure. As Gujarat continues its growth journey, our focus must be on ensuring that development is resource-efficient, climate-responsive and aligned with India’s Net Zero aspirations. By embedding sustainability into planning, design and construction, Gujarat can create future-ready cities that are both economically vibrant and environmentally responsible.”
Setting the context for the summit, Jayesh Hariyani, Immediate Past Chairman, IGBC Ahmedabad Chapter and Chairman & Managing Director, INI Design Studio, emphasized the role of integrated design and planning in building future-ready communities. “Across the world, sports have emerged as catalysts for urban transformation, driving investments in infrastructure, tourism, hospitality and economic growth. For Gujarat, this presents a unique opportunity to build cities that are not only more vibrant and connected, but also more sustainable and resilient. As we plan, sustainability must be at the heart of every development decision. By integrating green building practices, resource efficiency and climate-responsive design, we can create a model of growth that supports both economic progress and environmental stewardship.”
The high-profile event featured a series of panel discussions and technical sessions focused on actualizing these sustainable milestones. A centerpiece of the summit was the panel discussion titled ‘Net Zero Real Estate: The Developers’ Role in Defining Gujarat’s Urban Growth’, which brought together leading developers to discuss ESG integration, energy-efficient projects, and the evolving business case for green real estate. A secondary session explored ‘Sports-Led Growth: Building Gujarat’s Green Hospitality & Sustainable Infrastructure Future’, emphasizing smart amenities and eco-friendly infrastructure capable of supporting large-scale international sports tourism.
The summit also advanced practical engineering solutions through technical presentations on ‘Low-Carbon Construction Solutions for Gujarat’s Emerging Infrastructure,’ showcasing cutting-edge building materials and water-efficient systems. Furthermore, participants attended specialized workshops, including ‘Accelerating the Acceptance of Low-Carbon Cement’ and ‘Green Interiors,’ which targeted lifecycle emissions assessments and indoor environmental quality. The summit concluded with a definitive industry consensus that sports-led growth will serve as a powerful enabler for Gujarat’s broader Net Zero ambitions and long-term economic resilience.
