In a candid and inspiring conversation, DR. MALA SINGH — Founder & Director of PEC Greening India and Chairperson of IGBC (CII) Mumbai Chapter — reflects on her journey, the evolution of sustainable architecture in India, and her unwavering mission to mainstream net-zero development across sectors.
Dr. Mala Singh, you’ve been a torchbearer for sustainable development in India. What initially inspired you to establish PEC Greening India back in 2012?
My journey into sustainability was fuelled by a simple but profound realisation — that built environments should nurture both people and the planet. Very early on, I understood that
buildings are not just structures; they are living ecosystems that impact health, climate, and community well-being. When I founded PEC Greening India in 2012, green building was still a relatively new conversation in India. Most developers either misunderstood sustainability or viewed it as an expensive afterthought. I saw a gap — a need for holistic, accessible expertise that could translate sustainability from a concept into everyday practice. At PEC, our goal was not just to consult but to become catalysts — educating stakeholders, bridging policy and practice, and ultimately shaping a future where green development is the norm rather than the exception. It’s not just a career for me — it’s a mission that defines every project, every conversation, every action.
Over the last decade, green building has gone from niche to necessity. How would you describe this evolution?
It’s been extraordinary to witness. Ten years ago, green buildings were seen as boutique projects, often limited to premium segments. Today, sustainability is mainstream, and developers, corporates, and even individual homeowners are embracing it proactively. This transformation has been driven by multiple forces: greater environmental awareness, global climate urgency, government mandates, and the growing importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics in corporate governance. Initiatives like
IGBC, GRIHA, and BRSR frameworks have provided structure, credibility, and incentives to push the movement forward. Crucially, India has adapted international sustainability standards to our local context — focusing on affordability, climate responsiveness, and community needs. As a result, green development is no longer a luxury or a compliance checklist; it’s a business imperative and a societal responsibility.
What were some of the early challenges you faced convincing developers to embrace green certification?
Mindset — that was the biggest hurdle. In the early days, many developers saw green building certification as an added cost, not a value creator. They were focused on upfront margins rather than the long-term returns through operational savings, asset valuation, and customer loyalty. At PEC Greening India, we worked hard to change this narrative. We demonstrated that with smart design and material selection, the incremental cost of building green could be minimal — and the ROI substantial. Energy efficiency, water conservation, better indoor environments — all these translate directly into lower operating costs and higher occupancy. Today, most progressive developers realise that “green makes business BUILDING A GREENER TOMORROW In a candid and inspiring conversation, DR. MALA SINGH — Founder & Director of PEC Greening India and Chairperson of IGBC (CII) Mumbai Chapter — reflects on her journey, the evolution of sustainable architecture in India, and her unwavering mission to mainstream net-zero development across sectors. 69
sense.” The sceptics of yesterday are now the advocates, and that, to me, is one of the most rewarding shifts we’ve enabled.
You were part of achieving India’s first IGBC Net Zero Platinumcertified building. Could you tell us about that milestone?
Yes, it remains one of my proudest projects. At Globicon Terminal in Navi Mumbai, the leadership was truly visionary — they didn’t just want a certification; they wanted to set a benchmark. Net-zero wasn’t just a design choice — it was embedded in every decision. Passive design strategies, an optimised building envelope, high-efficiency systems, on-site renewable energy generation — every intervention was thoughtfully crafted. We also implemented water conservation and waste management strategies to ensure a truly holistic approach. What made it possible was the client’s total commitment. They believed in sustainability not as a marketing tool but as a legacy. And that’s critical — net-zero isn’t achieved by technology alone; it’s a mindset, a culture of excellence.
ESG is becoming a dominant conversation across industries. How do you help organisations move beyond tokenism?
It’s essential to understand that ESG isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about resilience, relevance, and long-term value. At PEC, we help organisations identify material ESG risks and opportunities specific to their sector. We support them in setting real, actionable goals — not just publishing glossy reports. We focus on energy audits, carbon accounting, green procurement, governance structures — weaving ESG into daily business operations, not treating it as a side project. True transformation happens when ESG becomes embedded in decisionmaking, leadership, and culture. Our ultimate goal is to future-proof companies, making sustainability an engine of growth, not just an obligation.
You’ve contributed extensively to policy frameworks and green
rating systems. What impact have these collaborations had?
Collaborating with IGBC and various government bodies has been deeply fulfilling. It allowed us to tailor green standards to India’s diverse socioeconomic landscape — making them practical, scalable, and regionally relevant. These efforts have opened up green adoption beyond elite projects. Today, we see mid-income housing, infrastructure projects, and even educational campuses striving for certification. It has also unlocked incentives, built skilled manpower through training programmes, and fostered public-private collaboration. Green development is no longer restricted to a few visionaries. It is becoming a collective movement — and policy innovation has played a huge role in that.
Through the IGBC Green Academy, you’re also shaping the next generation. How important is education in this journey?
Education is everything. If we want sustainability to become second nature, we must start early and make it aspirational, not burdensome. The Green Academy’s professional certification programmes have created a new cadre of green champions — architects, engineers, consultants, and even students who are equipped with real-world knowledge. We focus on practical, applied learning — case studies, simulations, live project analysis — because sustainability is not theory; it’s practice. And the more people understand its systems-level impact, the more empowered they become to drive real change.
Looking ahead, what emerging trends in sustainable architecture and green innovation excite you the most?
There’s a huge wave of innovation coming. Passive, climate-responsive architecture is making a strong comeback, where buildings work with nature rather than against it. AI-driven building management systems are optimising energy and water consumption in real-time. Retrofitting of existing buildings — making old structures green — is gaining serious momentum. The idea of health and wellness being integral to sustainability is also taking root — air quality, natural light, biophilic design. And of course, the dream of netzero cities — powered by renewables, circular economy principles, and resilient infrastructures — is no longer fantasy. It’s the future we are actively building.
Finally, what’s next on your vision board for India’s green future?
Net-zero must become the default — not the exception. My dream is to mainstream net-zero construction across India’s cities, towns, and villages. We also need to institutionalise sustainability into education, governance, and everyday choices. I am deeply committed to expanding the IGBC’s reach into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, empowering infrastructure projects, and building a skilled green workforce. At PEC and IGBC, our mission is simple but urgent: accelerate the transition from ambition to action. Because the future will belong to those who build it responsibly — and the time to act is now.
