The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), in collaboration with the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), launched the landmark research report “SUSTAINABLE WORKSPACE – Catalyst for Productivity and Profitability in Indian Businesses” at the CII Green Business Centre, Hyderabad on 05 September 2025.
The unique one-of-its-kind research study in the world with academic support from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, reveals that sustainable workplaces are transformative for Indian businesses. The key findings of this research are that organizations that adopt Green Building Practices are more likely to have a thriving and engaged workforce, leading to increase in business performance for the organization. Moving far beyond environmental responsibility, the study demonstrates that green building strategies substantially enhance employee productivity, well-being, and organizational profitability.
The multi-year project presents the strongest evidence to date that adopting green solutions in India’s workplaces leads to marked improvements in employee thriving, engagement, and over all wellbeing outcomes. Through a rigorous, multi-phase approach involving inputs from 75 case study partners with over 1,100 occupant responses from 6 cities and analysis of more than 900 indoor environment quality data points, the study offers robust, data-driven proof that building sustainably delivers measurable value for both organizations and their people.
Even small improvements in workplace sustainability can have a big impact on people. The study shows that just a 1% increase in the Green Index, a score that combines indoor comfort and environment quality can lead to employees feeling 3% more energized, 2% more engaged, and 3% healthier. Likewise, a 1% boost in Indoor Environment Quality (things like air, lighting, temperature, noise, and humidity) can increase employee engagement by 7% and help them thrive more at work. When these factors are well managed, people feel more motivated, learn better, and contribute more to innovation and overall performance. The findings make it clear, sustainable workspaces don’t just improve employee satisfaction and well-being, they also strengthen retention and profitability for organizations across India’s diverse climates and cultures.
The report was showcased by H.E. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of the Royal Danish Embassy to India, Shri R V Karnan IAS, Commissioner GHMC Government of Telangana, Mr. M Goutham Reddy, Vice Chairman, CII Telangana State Council and Mr. C Shekar Reddy, National Vice Chairman, IGBC, Bente Toftkær, Director, Global Talent & International Services, Danish Industry, Srinivas Murthy, Chairman, IGBC Hyderabad Chapter, and Mr. K S Venkatagiri, Executive Director, CII GBC in the presence of other dignitaries and sustainable industry champions.
Speaking at the launch, Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of the Royal Danish Embassy to India, said “Denmark is delighted to partner with India in advancing the agenda of sustainable and people-centric development. Over the years, our collaboration has demonstrated how shared knowledge, technology, and innovation can deliver solutions that benefit both people and the planet. The launch of the DI and CII-IGBC report on Sustainable Workspaces is yet another milestone in this journey. It reinforces the importance of designing workplaces that reduce environmental impact while enhance well-being, creativity, and productivity. Together, Denmark and India can accelerate the green transition and create resilient urban futures that serve as a model for the world.”
R V Karnan IAS, Commissioner GHMC Government of Telangana, while addressing the gathering said, “Telangana is proud to lead the sustainable transformation of India’s built environment, with Hyderabad emerging as one of the country’s green building hubs. Our state has consistently championed IGBC-certified projects across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors, setting benchmarks in energy efficiency and eco-friendly urban development. Collaborating with national and international partners, we reaffirm our commitment to harnessing the power of green workspaces to enhance quality of life, drive innovation, and build resilient urban futures. This report provides compelling evidence that sustainable workplaces are not only vital for citizen well-being but also a strategic investment in Telangana’s economic growth and global competitiveness.”
C Shekar Reddy, National Vice Chairman, IGBC, stated, “As IGBC celebrates 25 years of championing the green building movement in the country, the launch of the DI and CII-IGBC research report on Sustainable Workspaces – Catalysts for Productivity and Profitability in Indian Businesses marks an important milestone. This study reinforces the need to move beyond traditional metrics like energy and water savings to embrace workplaces that prioritize people’s well-being, creativity, and productivity while ensuring environmental stewardship. Together, we can transform our work environments into powerful catalysts for both sustainability and business growth, shaping a greener and healthier future for India.”
The report offers clear, practical steps for everyone involved, business leaders, developers, policymakers, urban planners, architects, ESG investors, and industry bodies. It calls on all stakeholders to put people’s comfort and indoor environment quality (IEQ) at the heart of both new and existing workplaces. It also stresses the need to include measurable green metrics in design and daily operations, and to use evidence-based tools to evaluate workspaces. By doing so, organizations can create healthier environments that boost employee engagement and lead to greater overall success.
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) was established by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in 2001 to actively promote the Green Building concept in India. The Council, with 30 Chapters across India, is represented by all stakeholders of the construction industry comprising corporate, government, and nodal agencies, architects, product manufacturers, institutions, and more. The Council also works with governments, the World Green Building Council, and bilateral and multilateral agencies in promoting green building concepts in India.
With a registered Green Building footprint of 14.15 billion sq. ft, and with over 16,360+ projects adopting IGBC’s 32 rating systems, the Green Building movement in India has been advancing at a rapid pace and transforming India, into one of the global leaders in green built environment. IGBC is a market leader with about 90% of the India’s green building projects adopting IGBC Green and Net Zero Rating Systems.
