The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has announced an important leadership transition at its GreenCo Council, marking a new phase in promoting sustainable industrial growth across India. Mr. Vikram Kasbekar has assumed the role of Chairman of the GreenCo Council, taking over from Mr. Pradeep Bhargava, who led the Council with distinction since 2011.
During his more than a decade-long tenure, Mr. Bhargava played a pivotal role in shaping the GreenCo movement into a leading industry-driven sustainability framework. Under his guidance, GreenCo expanded to cover over 1,500 companies and more than 1,000 rated plants across 27 sectors. The Council’s initiatives delivered over ₹5,136 crores in cost savings, significantly reduced carbon emissions, and promoted efficient resource use and water management across industries.
GreenCo has emerged as a recognized benchmark for voluntary green rating systems, gaining recognition in national and international forums, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Mr. Bhargava’s leadership also guided the Council to adopt new sustainability priorities, including net zero pathways, water positivity, circular economy practices, and green supply chains, positioning Indian industry as a global leader in sustainable development. He actively fostered partnerships with central and state governments, regulatory bodies, industry associations, and academic institutions, strengthening the impact of GreenCo standards across the industrial ecosystem.
Acknowledging the leadership transition, Mr. Bhargava expressed his confidence in Mr. Vikram Kasbekar, stating, “It is with pride that I hand over the reins of GreenCo to Mr. Vikram Kasbekar. His expertise and commitment to sustainability make him the right leader to advance GreenCo’s mission and guide it through the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
Taking charge, Mr. Vikram Kasbekar recognized the strong foundation laid by his predecessor and shared his strategic vision for the Council. He highlighted that GreenCo now has over 1,000 active rated plants across multiple sectors, tens of thousands of trained professionals, and regional forums driving sustainability initiatives at scale. Mr. Kasbekar aims to expand GreenCo’s reach, increase engagement through additional regional chapters, and strengthen capacity-building programs to equip professionals with critical sustainability skills.
He emphasized the importance of promoting green supply chains and introducing rigorous net zero certifications for water, waste, and carbon footprints within value chains to enhance accountability and measurable impact. Mr. Kasbekar also pointed to innovation and technology, including artificial intelligence and IoT-based monitoring, as key tools to advance environmental performance management.
Looking ahead, GreenCo plans to deepen sector-specific programs, especially in hard-to-abate industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals, while continuing collaborations with government bodies, international partners, and academic institutions. The GreenCo Forum will remain a vibrant platform for knowledge sharing, best practice exchange, and collective progress toward India’s national climate and sustainability goals.
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