The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), in partnership with the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), unveiled a groundbreaking research report titled “Sustainable Workspace – Catalyst for Productivity and Profitability in Indian Businesses” at the CII Green Business Centre, Hyderabad.
The study, supported academically by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, is the first of its kind globally and provides robust evidence that sustainable workplaces significantly enhance employee productivity, well-being, and organizational profitability
Key Findings of the Study
The multi-year research, involving 75 case study partners, 1,100+ occupant responses from six cities, and 900+ indoor environment quality data points, highlights:
- A 1% increase in Green Index improves employee thriving by 3%, engagement by 2%, and physical well-being by 3%.
- A 1% rise in Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) boosts employee engagement by 7% and thriving by 2%.
- Enhanced IEQ—including temperature, lighting, noise, humidity, and CO₂ levels—drives psychological vitality, learning, innovation, and staff retention.
- Sustainable workplaces directly translate to higher employee satisfaction, organizational performance, and profitability, across diverse Indian climates and cultures.
Dignitaries at the Launch
The report was formally released by:
- H.E. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador, 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
- Mr. C Shekar Reddy, National Vice Chairman, IGBC
- Ms. Bente Toftkær, Director, Global Talent & International Services, Danish Industry
- Ar. Srinivas Murthy, Chairman, IGBC Hyderabad Chapter
- Mr. K S Venkatagiri, Executive Director, CII GBC
The event was attended by policymakers, business leaders, and sustainability champions.
Voices from the Launch
H.E. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India:
“Denmark is proud to partner with India in advancing sustainable, people-centric development. This report reinforces the importance of designing workplaces that reduce environmental impact while boosting well-being, creativity, and productivity. Together, India and Denmark can accelerate the green transition and create resilient urban futures.”
Shri R V Karnan, IAS, Commissioner, GHMC:
“Telangana has emerged as a leader in India’s green building movement. With Hyderabad as a hub, our state continues to champion IGBC-certified projects across sectors. This report shows that sustainable workplaces are not just about environmental responsibility but also about economic growth and global competitiveness.”
Mr. C Shekar Reddy, National Vice Chairman, IGBC:
“As IGBC marks 25 years of leading India’s green building movement, this report is a milestone. It demonstrates that workplaces prioritizing people’s well-being and creativity can drive both sustainability and profitability.”
A Roadmap for Indian Businesses
The report provides actionable guidance for:
- Business leaders & developers – to integrate green metrics in new and existing projects.
- Policymakers & urban planners – to prioritize sustainable design in cities.
- ESG investors & industry associations – to adopt evidence-based tools that measure employee engagement and business success.
By linking green building practices to workforce performance, the report positions sustainable workspaces as a strategic investment that benefits both employees and organizations.
The CII-IGBC & DI report underscores that the future of Indian business lies in sustainable, people-first workplaces. By combining environmental stewardship with employee thriving, organizations can unlock productivity, innovation, and profitability, while contributing to a greener India.
