Varanasi Charts a Green Future as CII and IGBC Host Inaugural Green Varanasi Conclave 2026
Varanasi, August 9, 2026: Reaffirming the commitment to integrate sustainability with heritage conservation and urban development, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) organized the first edition of the Green Varanasi Conclave 2026 in Varanasi. Held under the theme “Green Varanasi: Preserving Heritage, Building a Sustainable Future,” the event convened senior government officials, policymakers, urban planners, developers, architects, industry executives, academia, and sustainability experts to deliberate on strategies to accelerate green buildings, climate resilience, water conservation, and clean energy while safeguarding the city’s cultural legacy.
As one of India’s oldest and most culturally significant living cities, Varanasi is demonstrating how heritage preservation and sustainable development can progress together during periods of rapid urban renewal. The city’s growing green footprint currently encompasses 38 IGBC-registered projects covering 5.73 million sq. ft. and 15 IGBC-certified green buildings. Its overall green portfolio spans 28 commercial projects, six residential projects, two industrial and logistics facilities, and two transit infrastructure developments.
The state of Uttar Pradesh as a whole has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing markets for green real estate. Statewide metrics show 1,736 IGBC-registered green building projects covering 1.83 billion sq. ft., along with 692 certified green buildings encompassing over 201.3 million sq. ft. Across sectors, these sustainable building practices are lowering energy consumption, conserving water resources, enhancing occupant health, and contributing toward national Net Zero targets.
A key highlight of the event was the official launch of the IGBC Student Chapter at IIT (BHU), Varanasi, aimed at fostering sustainability leadership among young engineers and architects. The conclave featured high-level panel discussions covering sustainable urban transformation, policy planning, low-carbon building materials, green infrastructure, and sustainable tourism, alongside technical sessions highlighting advanced building technologies, sustainable concrete, and next-generation glass.
Highlighting the urban imperative for sustainability, Himanshu Nagpal, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Varanasi Municipal Corporation, said, “Sustainability must be at the core of future development projects. We need to focus on mitigating the challenges such as declining groundwater levels, rising energy demand, and shrinking green spaces… I urge the developer community to adopt sustainable and green-building practices and resource-efficient solutions.’’
Emphasizing environmental responsibility across development, Dr. Ravi Kumar Singh, IFS, Member Secretary, SEAC, Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Uttar Pradesh, quoted, “Green building is not merely a certification objective but a commitment to environmental stewardship, water conservation, energy efficiency, and responsible use of local, low-carbon materials.” He noted that collaborative efforts among government, industry, and institutions are essential to driving sustainable development.
Focusing on nature-based urban solutions, Umang Sah, Chairman, CII Varanasi Zone & Managing Director, UP National Manufacturers Ltd., said, “Green infrastructure, such as parks, ponds, wetlands, urban forests, and solar energy systems, play a vital role in enhancing urban resilience and improving quality of life.” He called for sustainability to be integrated into every future development from the planning stage itself.
Calling for a blend of heritage and modern innovation, M. Anand, Executive Director, CII–Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), said, “Varanasi has a unique opportunity to demonstrate how ancient wisdom and modern sustainability can coexist harmoniously.” He stressed the need to protect rivers, improve air quality, strengthen urban ecosystems, and accelerate the adoption of green buildings across every building typology.
Outlining the long-term vision for the region, Amit Srivastava, Chairman, IGBC Lucknow Chapter & COO, BBD Viraj Constructions Pvt. Ltd., said, “The ideas and discussions emerging from this conclave should help shape a development model that balances growth with heritage conservation, ecological protection, and inclusive prosperity.” He urged all stakeholders to work collectively towards creating a sustainable and future-ready Varanasi.
Underlining the economic benefits of sustainable construction, Aakash Deep, Chairman, CREDAI Purvanchal, highlighted, “The importance of green buildings in the real estate sector is increasing rapidly. Sustainable construction is not only environmentally responsible but also economically beneficial, delivering greater efficiency, lower operating costs, and long-term value. I would like to reiterate CREDAI Purvanchal’s commitment to promoting responsible development and collaborating with IGBC and other stakeholders to expand green-building adoption.”
