AP Records 638 IGBC Projects Covering 627.58 Million Sq. Ft.; Govt Announces New Green Building Incentives

Andhra Pradesh is strengthening its green building framework with new incentives, project-level certifications and a state-specific guide aimed at making sustainable construction a larger part of urban development. The move was highlighted at the 2nd IGBC Green Andhra Summit 2026 in Vijayawada, where government and industry leaders discussed green buildings, climate-resilient infrastructure and the State's Net Zero goals.

The State has 638 IGBC-registered projects covering 627.58 million sq. ft., of which 300 projects covering 479.60 million sq. ft. have already received IGBC certification. The portfolio includes 438 commercial, 57 residential, 37 industrial and logistics, 18 built-environment, 83 transit infrastructure and five Net Zero projects. More than 40 new projects covering over 1 crore sq. ft. of built-up area were also registered under the IGBC Green Crusaders initiative at the summit.

A key announcement at the summit was the Government of Andhra Pradesh's revised incentives for IGBC-rated green buildings. Projects with a Silver rating will receive a 5 per cent discount on Development Charges, while Gold-rated projects will get 10 per cent and Platinum-rated projects 15 per cent. These concessions will be available over and above the existing green building incentives, which provide reductions in Impact and AP RERA fees of 10%, 15% and 20% for Silver, Gold and Platinum ratings respectively.

The incentives will be considered at the building permission stage based on pre-certification, with final IGBC certification required before occupancy.

Speaking through a video message, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana said Andhra Pradesh was pursuing a development model that combines economic growth with environmental responsibility. He said every new city, township and public or private infrastructure project should incorporate sustainability from planning through operations.

"Amaravati is being developed as a future-ready green capital that reflects the highest standards of climate resilience, resource efficiency and smart urban planning," he said, adding that the State would continue its partnership with IGBC to advance green buildings and Net Zero development.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary, MA&UD, Suresh Kumar S, said resources are finite and the construction sector has a significant environmental footprint. He said the State's objective under Swarna Andhra 2047 is to attract investment while ensuring that development remains sustainable and future-ready.

He said the Government's development fee concession for IGBC-rated buildings is a first-of-its-kind incentive in India aimed at wider adoption of green construction. According to him, green buildings may require an additional 2% to 3% investment during construction, but savings in energy, water and operating costs can recover the additional investment within a few years.

"Green buildings are now gaining widespread market acceptance, and our next objective is to make them the new normal," Suresh Kumar added. 

The summit also saw the release of the Guide for Green Buildings in Andhra Pradesh, prepared by IGBC for developers, architects, urban local bodies and government departments. The guide covers project registration, membership, certification procedures and the incentives available to eligible green building projects.

Amaravati received the IGBC Green Cities Platinum Certification by Design, marking another milestone for the planned capital. The summit also recognised projects including the APCPDCL Vidyut Nilayam Corporate Office for the IGBC Net Zero Energy Rating by Design, Best Western Plus Tejvivaan for the IGBC Green Existing Building Gold Rating and Sarda Metals & Alloys Ltd. for the IGBC Green Factory Building Platinum Rating.

Later on, APCRDA Commissioner Vijay Rama Raju V,  said Amaravati offers an opportunity to develop a sustainable capital city from the ground up through integrated planning, Net Zero buildings, renewable energy, smart infrastructure and resilient urban design.

He noted that the Green Cities recognition for Amaravati was an important milestone but only the beginning. APCRDA would continue working with IGBC through capacity-building, awareness programmes and technical sessions while collaborating with industry stakeholders to position Amaravati as a benchmark for sustainable urban development. 

IGBC National Chairman C Shekar Reddy said 17 state governments are now providing incentives for IGBC-certified green buildings, contributing to a national green building footprint of 20,012 registered projects covering more than 16.33 billion sq. ft.

He said Andhra Pradesh's 638 registered projects reflected growing confidence among developers and institutions in sustainable development. He also called for green building certification and sustainability standards to become a more integral part of the development process.

The summit also highlighted the APCRDA Project Office, the first government building in Amaravati to receive IGBC Net Zero Energy Certification by Design. The project uses renewable energy, energy-efficient systems and smart building technologies to reduce environmental impact and improve operational efficiency.

The event concluded with the IGBC Green Crusaders and Valedictory Session, where projects, developers and organisations contributing to the State's green building movement were recognised. The registration of more than 40 new projects during the summit added further momentum to Andhra Pradesh's green development pipeline.