14, Aug 2025
GreenPro Summit 2025 Inaugurates with Strong Industry and Global Commitments Towards Low Carbon Innovation
Chennai, 14 August 2025 – The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) inaugurated the 8th edition of GreenPro Summit 2025 at the ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, under the theme “Advancing Towards Net Zero Through Low Carbon Products, Materials and Technologies.” The two-day summit began with a high-powered inaugural session that brought together industry stalwarts, global ecolabeling leaders, and policymakers who collectively called for accelerated adoption of low-carbon products, sustainable materials, and innovative technologies to achieve Net Zero targets.
During the summit, GreenPro announced the milestone of surpassing 11,500 certified green products in India, 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 vision of net zero and builds a future where sustainability is the standard, and the country positions itself as a global leader in low carbon production.
A landmark moment of the inaugural session was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CII GreenPro and the Singapore Environment Council (SEC). The MoU aims to foster collaboration on ecolabeling, 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 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.
At the inaugural, the Chief Guest Thiru AR Rahul Nadh, IAS, Director – Department of Environment and Climate Change, Govt. of Tamil Nadu said, “Climate science tells us that the decisions we take in this decade will shape the future of the planet 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 continues to provide 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 is about building a new culture of production and consumption. The most important thing you can do to fight climate change is talk about it; the next crucial step is to act on it.
Net Zero is a complete system transformation. To achieve this, we need policy alignment between government, industry, and civil society; investment in green research and development; and consumer awareness that lets demand drive the market for low-carbon products. The journey to Net Zero is a shared responsibility. The GreenPro Summit is a platform to forge partnerships, share solutions, and commit to tangible targets. Let us make a renewed commitment to adopt and advocate for ecolabelled products, invest in technologies that put the planet first, 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 proudly expressed how “GreenPro’s journey over the years 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 already 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 areas of sustainability. By integrating verified carbon footprint data into all certifications and forging global collaborations, GreenPro is not only greening India’s supply chains but also setting the stage for a low-carbon, resource-efficient future.”
Ms. Isabella Huang Loh, Vice Chair, Global Ecolabelling Network and ESG Advisor, highlighted the importance of international cooperation and harmonized ecolabeling standards to build trust and scale green markets globally.
As a part of the inaugural, John Deere India was bestowed with Leadership award for “Excellence in Green Supply Chain,” which was received by Mr Sri Krishna Kulkarni, Commodity Lead, Global Strategic Sourcing, John Deere India and Rane (Madras) Ltd., was awarded with “Green Champion in Supply Chain” which was 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. 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, spur demand for low-carbon materials, and catalyze a shift towards circular and resource-efficient products.
The day’s proceedings also featured a Master Speaker session by Mr. Sumit Bhatia, Vice President, ARS Steel, who spoke on 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 ecolabeling trends and their potential to reshape procurement standards.
In the afternoon, delegates engaged in sessions that delved into practical strategies for selecting low-carbon products and sustainable materials, with case studies from LEAD Consultancy, Godrej Enterprises Group, and L&T Construction. Technical deep dives 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 green trade in the Asia Pacific, featuring UNEP, Thailand Environment Institute, SIRIM, and the Global Ecolabelling Network, reiterating the summit’s commitment to fostering cross-border partnerships for climate action.
The day concluded with a session on Accelerate Green Trade (Asia Pacific) – Challenges, Opportunities and Way Forward moderated by Mr. Unnikrishnan A R, Green Products and Services Council, where Dr. Chuttree Phurat, Director, Thailand Environment Institute, provided insights into integrating low-carbon standards into trade and policy frameworks in the Asia Pacific. Adding further international perspectives, Mr. Gareth, Secretariat, Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), highlighted the critical role of cross-country ecolabel alignment. Mr. Kamarul Arieffin Bin Rosli, Group Leader, SIRIM (Malaysia), spoke on creating robust certification pathways to strengthen green trade in the region, Ms. Bruna Tiussu, Ecolabel and Consumer Information Expert, Consumption & Production Unit, Industry & Economy Division, UNEP spoke on how leveraging the region’s economic growth and growing consumer demand for sustainable products will drive the adoption of eco-friendly practices though ecolabels.
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- By Neel Achary
