CII Indian Green Building Council Announces Leadership Transition: Mr. C Shekar Reddy Takes over as National Chairman and Mr. AR Unnikrishnan takes over as the National Vice-Chairman
Hyderabad, Feb 16: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), India’s foremost institution driving sustainable construction and a pioneer in promoting sustainable habitat practices across India, today revealed significant leadership changes effective 1st April 2026.
Mr. C. Shekar Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of CSR Estates Ltd and currently National Vice-Chairman, CII-IGBC will assume office as the National Chairman, CII Indian Green Building Council, succeeding Mr. B. Thiagarajan, whose two-year tenure as National Chairman comes to a successful conclusion. Concurrently, Mr. A. R. Unnikrishnan, Managing Director – Glass Business, Saint-Gobain India Pvt Ltd., will take over as the new National Vice-Chairman, CII-IGBC.
Since its inception in 2001, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has become India’s premier certification body for sustainable and resource-efficient buildings. Today, IGBC has 18,850+ registered projects with a combined green building footprint of over 15.52 billion sq.ft. across commercial, residential, institutional, industrial, and other built environment sectors. IGBC has developed 33 Green and Net Zero Rating Systems tailored to diverse project typologies, with voluntary, market-driven frameworks that align with global sustainability benchmarks. The council also represents India in the World Green Building Council, partnering with other national green building councils worldwide to advance sustainable built environment best practices.
Mr. C Shekar Reddy, with decades of expertise in sustainable urban development, involved in IGBC since its inception, and as the past national president of CREDAI, and as Chairman of a leading real estate firm, is poised to build on this momentum. “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.” said Mr. C Shekar Reddy. “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, Mr. A R Unnikrishnan brings Saint-Gobain’s legacy in sustainable and high performance building materials that reduce embodied carbon. “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 Mr. 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 Mr. B Thiagarajan, Managing Director of Blue Star Ltd., reflected on his transformative tenure when he said, “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.”
This leadership transition reinforces IGBC’s pivotal role in fostering a low-carbon economy while equipping stakeholders with tools for climate-resilient development. As India advances towards its long-term sustainability and Net Zero objectives, IGBC remains committed to serving as a strategic enabler of green buildings, sustainable infrastructure, and environmentally responsible industrial development. The council will continue to work alongside government bodies, industry leaders, and the broader stakeholder ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of globally benchmarked sustainability practices.