During the summit, GreenPro announced a major milestone—surpassing 11,500 certified green products in India—marking a significant leap in the nation’s journey towards sustainable adoption. This achievement signals to manufacturers that ecolabelling is rapidly becoming a driver of competitiveness and innovation. From the construction sector to manufacturing hubs, the adoption of green practices is gaining unprecedented momentum. Each new certification brings India closer to its Net Zero vision and positions the country as a global leader in low-carbon production.
An MoU was signed between CII GreenPro and the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) to foster collaboration on ecolabelling, encourage mutual recognition of certified products, and advance sustainable procurement in the Asia-Pacific region. By aligning India’s green product certification framework with global best practices, the partnership is expected to create new market opportunities for eco-friendly products and services across borders.
The inaugural session was graced by Thiru A. R. Rahul Nadh, IAS, Director, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Tamil Nadu, and Ms. Isabella Huang-Loh, Chairman, Singapore Environment Council, in the presence of Mr. Unnikrishnan, Chairman, Green Products and Services Council; Mr. K. S. Venkatagiri, Executive Director, CII GBC; and Mr. S. Karthikeyan, Deputy Executive Director, CII GreenPro.
Speaking at the event, Chief Guest Thiru A. R. Rahul Nadh, IAS, said: “Climate science tells us that the decisions we take in this decade will shape the planet’s future for decades to come. While governments worldwide are strengthening climate policies, it is the collective power of industries, innovators, and consumers that will turn these policies into reality. The GreenPro Summit stands as a shining example of how we can accelerate this transformation.
GreenPro provides credible certification for projects and products that meet rigorous environmental criteria. It empowers consumers to make informed, sustainable choices and motivates manufacturers to innovate responsibly. This is not just about products—it’s about building a new culture of production and consumption.
Net Zero is a complete system transformation. To achieve this, we need policy alignment between government, industry, and civil society; investment in green R&D; and consumer awareness to drive demand for low-carbon products. The GreenPro Summit is a platform to forge partnerships, share solutions, and commit to tangible targets. Let us renew our commitment to adopt and advocate ecolabelled products, invest in planet-first technologies, and make low-carbon living the norm—turning Net Zero into a reality for Tamil Nadu, India, and the world.”
Mr. Unnikrishnan, Chairman, Green Products and Services Council, highlighted, “GreenPro’s journey reflects India’s growing commitment to sustainable consumption and production. With over 11,500 certified products from 450+ companies across 39 categories, the ecolabel has helped reduce 7.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, save 175 billion liters of water, and conserve 6,500 GWh of energy. Our expansion into sectors like heavy mobility vehicles, consumer appliances, and facility services demonstrates our ability to adapt and lead in emerging sustainability domains. By integrating verified carbon footprint data into all certifications and forging global collaborations, GreenPro is greening India’s supply chains and setting the stage for a low-carbon, resource-efficient future.”
Ms. Isabella Huang-Loh, Vice Chair, Global Ecolabelling Network and ESG Advisor, stressed the need for international cooperation and harmonized ecolabelling standards to build trust and scale green markets globally.
During the inaugural, John Deere India received the Leadership Award for Excellence in Green Supply Chain, accepted by Mr. Sri Krishna Kulkarni, Commodity Lead, Global Strategic Sourcing, John Deere India. Rane (Madras) Ltd. was recognized as Green Champion in Supply Chain, with the award received by Mr. Lakshmanan, Vice President, Rane (Madras) Ltd.
The inaugural was followed by an insightful session on Sustainable Procurement for Enabling Net Zero, moderated by Mr. S. Karthikeyan. Panelists included Mr. Aun Abdullah, Head ESG, Lodha Group; Mr. Nirbhay Lumde, Senior Vice President – ESG, Prestige Group; Mr. Jayasankar Kentinkara, Senior Vice President (Technical & Customer Solutions), Ultratech Cement Limited; Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Founder & CEO, NEXGEN Procurement Solutions; and Mr. Sachin Joshi, Sustainability and ESG Advisor. The discussion explored how procurement policies can influence supply chains, drive demand for low-carbon materials, and catalyze the shift to circular and resource-efficient products.
A Master Speaker session by Mr. Sumit Bhatia, Vice President, ARS Steel, highlighted the pivotal role of low-carbon steel in achieving Net Zero building goals. A fireside chat between Mr. K. S. Venkatagiri and Ms. Isabella Huang-Loh offered a global perspective on ecolabelling trends and their potential to reshape procurement standards.
Delegates participated in sessions covering practical strategies for selecting low-carbon products and sustainable materials, with case studies from LEAD Consultancy, Godrej Enterprises Group, and L&T Construction. Technical sessions explored emerging materials such as Net Zero cement and concrete, zero-carbon glazing, and innovative sustainable surfaces.
The day concluded with an international dialogue on Accelerating Green Trade in the Asia-Pacific—moderated by Mr. Unnikrishnan A. R.—featuring Dr. Chuttree Phurat, Director, Thailand Environment Institute; Mr. Gareth, Secretariat, Global Ecolabelling Network; Mr. Kamarul Arieffin Bin Rosli, Group Leader, SIRIM (Malaysia); and Ms. Bruna Tiussu, Ecolabel and Consumer Information Expert, UNEP. Discussions focused on integrating low-carbon standards into trade and policy frameworks, aligning cross-country ecolabeling, strengthening certification pathways, and leveraging the region’s economic growth and consumer demand to drive eco-friendly practices.
