The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), the premier body for green and net-zero building certification in India, launched its 31st Chapter in Rajkot on 30 August 2025 at RPJ Hotel, Rajkot. The launch was graced by Shri Parshottam Rupala, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajkot) and Former Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, as 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 urbanization, industrial development, and expanding infrastructure, stands to benefit significantly from green building initiatives that enhance resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and support climate resilience.
Shri Parshottam Rupala highlighted the importance of green buildings in Rajkot’s future development: “As Rajkot continues to evolve, adopting green building principles is essential for environmental sustainability, improving quality of life, and fostering economic prosperity.”
C Shekar Reddy, National Vice Chairman of IGBC, said, "Green buildings today are not just a choice but a strategic opportunity—delivering up to 60% 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. The IGBC Rajkot Chapter stands as a symbol of Gujarat’s vision, where the state’s legacy of enterprise is seamlessly aligned with sustainability."
Kunal Gol, Chairman of the 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, titled "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 urbanization and industrial growth. The panel emphasized 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. This collaborative dialogue aimed to inspire innovative strategies for shaping a resilient and eco-friendly built environment in Rajkot.
The Technical Session, themed "Towards a Greener Horizon: Revolutionizing 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. It also presented a strategic framework for integrating these solutions into construction processes, ensuring that development meets current needs without compromising the capacity of future generations to thrive.
The Rajkot Chapter launch was attended by prominent members of the real estate and construction sector, including representatives from Ultratech Cement, Saint Gobain, Bronco LLP, Kich Architectural, IP School of Architecture, and MaST Designs.
Ankoor Sanghvi, Co-chair of the IGBC Rajkot Chapter, concluded: “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 urbanization, 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 enhance 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 the state to become a key contributor to India’s broader goals of net-zero carbon emissions and sustainable development.
