CII Indian Green Building Council Launches 31st Chapter in Rajkot

Rajkot (Gujarat), September 1, 2025: The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), the premier body for green and net zero building certification in India, launched its 31st Chapter at RPJ Hotel, Rajkot, on August 30.

Parshottam Rupala, MP from Rajkot and former minister for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, was the chief guest.

The IGBC Rajkot Chapter was established to engage local stakeholders, including builders, developers, architects and policymakers, in driving green building practices and sustainable urban growth across the city.

Rajkot, known for its rapid urbanisation, industrial development and expanding infrastructure, was poised to benefit significantly from green building initiatives that enhance resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact and support climate resilience.

“As Rajkot continues to evolve, adopting green building principles is essential for environmental sustainability and for improving quality of life and economic prosperity,” Rupala said.

C Shekar Reddy, National Vice-chairman, IGBC, said, “Green buildings today are not just a choice but a strategic opportunity—delivering up to 60 per cent energy savings while enhancing real estate value and occupancy. With advancements in logistics, renewable energy and smart city initiatives, Rajkot is demonstrating that true progress can be achieved without compromising the environment.”

Gujarat continues to lead this national movement with 35.16 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, over 1,200 IGBC-registered projects and Rajkot becoming India’s first Smart City to achieve IGBC certification, he added.

Kunal Gol, Chairman, IGBC Rajkot Chapter, said, “The launch of the IGBC Rajkot Chapter marks the beginning of a collective journey to make Rajkot a model of sustainable urban development.”

By uniting developers, architects, policymakers, academia and citizens, “we aim to accelerate the adoption of green and net zero buildings, inspire innovation in infrastructure and position Rajkot at the forefront of Gujarat’s and India’s green transformation—because a sustainable tomorrow is not a choice, but an imperative”.

The panel discussion, ‘Designing Tomorrow: Green Buildings for a Sustainable Rajkot’, brought together thought leaders, policymakers, developers, architects and sustainability experts to address the challenges and opportunities associated with Rajkot’s rapid urbanisation and industrial growth.

The panellists emphasised the critical need to balance city expansion with sustainability, focusing on integrating net zero goals, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management and healthy building practices.

The technical session, ‘Towards a Greener Horizon: Revolutionising Construction with Sustainable Solutions’, focused on the transformative potential of sustainable building practices within the construction industry.

The session highlighted the importance of adopting resource-efficient methods, energy conservation technologies and low-carbon materials to mitigate environmental impacts effectively. It presented a strategic framework for integrating these sustainable solutions into construction processes, ensuring that development meets current needs without compromising the capacity of future generations to thrive.

Ankoor Sanghvi, Co-Chair, IGBC Rajkot Chapter, said, “The launch of the IGBC Rajkot Chapter marks a defining step in our city’s journey towards a greener and more sustainable future.”

Rajkot has always been a hub of enterprise and innovation, and now it is time to channel that spirit into building a healthier, resource-efficient and environmentally responsible built environment. “Together, we aim to make Rajkot a model green city for India.”

Gujarat has been making significant strides in advancing green buildings and a sustainable built environment driven by rapid urbanisation, industrial growth and proactive government and industry initiatives. The state is witnessing increasing adoption of green building rating systems with stakeholders actively embracing energy-efficient designs, water conservation, waste management and low-carbon materials to address environmental challenges and climate resilience.

IGBC’s mission aligns with India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 with new and existing buildings playing a vital role. Chapters like the newly launched IGBC Rajkot Chapter exemplify IGBC’s commitment to fostering sustainable construction practices, supporting and enabling the state to become a key contributor to India’s broader goals of net-zero carbon emission and sustainable development.