Sustainability is the foundation for more resilient systems, more competitive
enterprises, and more inclusive long-term growth. CII believes it is central to India’s
ambition of becoming a developed, competitive, and equitable economy. For nearly three decades, CII has partnered with industry to advance sustainable
development, co-create innovative solutions, and build capacity at scale. As India’s
sustainability journey enters a new phase, the emphasis is increasingly shifting to the
enablers needed to deliver lasting environmental outcomes. Advancing systems change CII’s work focuses on the core building blocks of environmental sustainability:
enabling circularity, strengthening resilience, advancing climate adaptation, and
developing institutional and human capabilities. Together, these efforts are
contributing to a broader systems transition where circularity, resilience, adaptation,
and capability are embedded in India’s growth model rather than treated as
standalone priorities. Regulatory developments have helped shape and accelerate this work across areas
including plastic packaging, climate action, the circular economy, nature-based
solutions, and biodiversity. CII has provided more than 300 expert recommendations
to inform policy and support progress towards India’s ambitious green targets.
Frameworks such as the Extended Producer Responsibility Guidelines, along with
initiatives including the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme and the Green Credit
Programme, are creating mechanisms to mobilise action, innovation, and investment
for environmental outcomes. The Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CESD) works closely with
industry through collaborative initiatives, digital tools and frameworks in the areas of
resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions, circular economy, waste management,
energy and water-use efficiency, crop-residue management, green construction
responsible businesses and value chain sustainability & MSME competitiveness. Greener built environment Through the CII Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), CII is working with
developers, occupiers, and policymakers to embed environmental sustainability into
the DNA of India’s built environment. India now ranks second globally in registered
green-building footprint, with 16.20 billion square feet of green-building space under
development. These buildings demonstrate how sustainability can deliver
measurable gains, including reduced energy use, lower water consumption, less
waste sent to landfill, and reduced carbon emissions. Building water resilience Water stress is among India’s most urgent environmental sustainability challenges.
Through nationally accredited water audits conducted by the Water Institute, CII has
undertaken more than 500 studies across sectors and identified potential freshwater
savings of over 400 billion litres. These audits show that water consumption can be reduced by 30-40% through
measures that are efficient, practical, and affordable. This work is helping
organisations move from recognising water risk to implementing solutions that
strengthen long-term water security. Strengthening sustainable agriculture Through the Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence, CII works with farmers,
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), industry, government, and research
institutions to address sustainability challenges grounded in the realities of Indian
agriculture. CII’s work with FPOs illustrates how environmental sustainability can be advanced
alongside stronger institutions, improved governance, and better market access. By
strengthening capabilities across the agricultural ecosystem, CII is helping build
more resilient and sustainable pathways for rural growth.
Sustainability is the foundation for more resilient systems, more competitive
enterprises, and more inclusive long-term growth. CII believes it is central to India’s
ambition of becoming a developed, competitive, and equitable economy. For nearly three decades, CII has partnered with industry to advance sustainable
development, co-create innovative solutions, and build capacity at scale. As India’s
sustainability journey enters a new phase, the emphasis is increasingly shifting to the
enablers needed to deliver lasting environmental outcomes. Advancing ...