The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Green Business Certification Institute (GBCI) to promote environmentally sustainable practices in India’s garment manufacturing industry. The agreement aims to boost the number of apparel factories obtaining LEED certification—a globally recognised standard for green buildings.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification assesses a building’s environmental performance across criteria such as energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conservation, and resource optimisation. The initiative is part of AEPC’s broader strategy to align India’s garment exports with global sustainability benchmarks.
Garment sector urged to catch up with global peers
The MoU was signed by AEPC Secretary General Mithileshwar Thakur and Gopalakrishnan P, Managing Director of GBCI Asia Pacific and Middle East. AEPC Chairman Sudhir Sekhri highlighted that LEED certification not only ensures a reduced carbon footprint and better air quality but also leads to lower operating costs, higher property value, and increased investor confidence.
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“This initiative signals our commitment to sustainability. We expect more and more garment factories to pursue LEED certification in the coming years,” Sekhri said.
AEPC’s Secretary General also pointed to India’s current lag in green-certified apparel units, stating that the country has only 13 LEED-certified garment factories compared to 250 in Bangladesh. Thakur emphasised the need for Indian manufacturers to act quickly, as global buyers are increasingly prioritising sustainability in their sourcing decisions.
Sustainability as a competitive advantage
The partnership seeks to create awareness and facilitate the transition for garment units aiming to adopt cleaner, more efficient processes. AEPC believes that this step will not only strengthen India’s position in the global apparel export market but also attract environmentally-conscious international brands.
By adopting sustainable infrastructure, India’s apparel sector can meet rising environmental standards, reduce operational costs, and gain long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global trade landscape.