Hyderabad: The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has announced key leadership changes effective 1 April 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter in India’s green building movement.
C. Shekar Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of CSR Estates Ltd and currently National Vice-Chairman, CII-IGBC, will assume office as National Chairman, succeeding B. Thiagarajan, whose two-year tenure concludes this March. Simultaneously, A. R. Unnikrishnan, Managing Director – Glass Business, Saint-Gobain India Pvt Ltd, will take over as National Vice-Chairman.
Established in 2001, IGBC has emerged as India’s premier certification body for sustainable and resource-efficient buildings. The council today has over 18,850 registered projects spanning more than 15.52 billion sq. ft. across commercial, residential, institutional and industrial segments. It has developed 33 Green and Net Zero Rating Systems tailored to varied project typologies and represents India at the World Green Building Council.
C Shekar Reddy, who has been associated with IGBC since its inception and brings decades of experience in sustainable urban development, said, “India’s growth trajectory presents a historic opportunity to shape a built environment that is not only economically vibrant but also environmentally resilient. Sustainability can no longer remain a niche consideration — it must become integral to how we design, construct, and operate our buildings, factories, and infrastructure. Over the coming years, IGBC will intensify its efforts to drive measurable environmental outcomes, strengthen industry capacity, and support India’s long-term climate commitments.”
“My focus will be on accelerating green retrofits for existing structures, empowering MSMEs with affordable certifications, leveraging AI-driven tools for further accelerating holistic designs and enhancing health and wellbeing, and mainstreaming green buildings in the near future. “The next phase of the green building movement will focus on scale, performance, and impact. IGBC will continue working closely with policymakers, developers, manufacturers, and urban local bodies to accelerate the transition towards low-carbon, resource-efficient development across India.”
Joining as National Vice-Chairman, A R Unnikrishnan highlighted the role of sustainable materials and innovation in climate action.
“The built environment represents one of the most powerful levers for climate action. Sustainable construction materials, circular economy practices, and energy-efficient technologies will be central to this transformation. IGBC is a unique platform to bring together industry and innovation, enabling scalable solutions that enhance both environmental and economic performance,” said A R Unnikrishnan.
He added, “As India continues to expand its infrastructure and manufacturing base, integrating sustainability into core design and construction practices will be essential. I look forward to contributing to IGBC’s efforts in strengthening industry adoption, advancing knowledge-sharing, and supporting the creation of future-ready, climate-resilient assets.”
Outgoing Chairman B Thiagarajan, Managing Director of Blue Star Ltd, reflected on his tenure, stating, “Leading IGBC during a period of significant transformation in India’s sustainability journey has been both an honour and a privilege. The Council has continued to expand its influence across sectors, helping stakeholders integrate environmental responsibility with business performance. I extend my best wishes to Mr. C. Shekar Reddy and Mr. A. R. Unnikrishnan. Their leadership will undoubtedly guide IGBC into its next phase of growth and impact.”
The transition underscores IGBC’s continued focus on accelerating India’s low-carbon development pathway. As the country advances towards its long-term sustainability and Net Zero ambitions, the council aims to further strengthen collaboration with policymakers, developers, manufacturers and urban local bodies to mainstream globally benchmarked green building practices across sectors.
