A landmark collaboration has been sealed between the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and the Green Business Certification Institute (GBCI) to elevate India’s garment manufacturing towards a more sustainable and globally competitive future. This initiative seeks to significantly increase the number of Indian garment units that receive LEED certification an internationally respected benchmark for eco-friendly and energy-efficient buildings.

Through this strategic agreement, both organisations aim to steer the textile and apparel sector towards practices that ensure reduced resource usage, improved indoor air quality, and lowered carbon emissions. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) not only signals environmental responsibility but also contributes to lower operating costs, higher asset value, and stronger trust from global investors and buyers.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by AEPC Secretary General Mithileshwar Thakur and GBCI Managing Director Gopalakrishnan P, representing Asia Pacific and Middle East operations. AEPC Chairman Sudhir Sekhri affirmed the sector’s commitment to adopting greener practices, underscoring that LEED-certified facilities benefit from improved energy performance, operational savings, and enhanced market value.

Highlighting the competitive gap, Thakur revealed that India currently hosts only 13 LEED-certified garment factories, a stark contrast to Bangladesh’s 250. He stressed that with the global spotlight on sustainability, especially from premium brands, Indian garment exporters must embrace green certification not just as a choice but as a necessity for long-term relevance in global trade.

This partnership signals a positive shift, where environmental responsibility meets business advantage. With momentum building, India’s garment industry is poised to align more closely with international standards, marking a vital step toward a cleaner, more sustainable manufacturing landscape.