CII Greenco Certification
The global standards for sustainability impacts.
GreenCo Rating System is the “first of its kind in the World” holistic framework that evaluates companies on the environmental friendliness of their activities using a life cycle approach. Implementation of the GreenCo rating provides leadership and guidance to companies on how to make products, services, and operations greener. Industry personnel are trained on the latest Green concepts and facilitated in implementing better systems and implementing global best practices in green.
Greenco FEATURES
What Is Greenco rating system
Introduction of Greenco rating system
CII Greenco is a green rating system developed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). It is a voluntary program that aims to assess and improve the environmental performance of Indian companies. The CII Greenco rating system is based on a set of 10 broad parameters, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water use, waste management, and renewable energy use. Companies that participate in the CII Greenco rating system are evaluated against these parameters and awarded a rating of A, B, C, or D.
Objectives of CII Greenco rating system
The objectives of CII Greenco are to:
- Promote environmental sustainability among Indian companies
- Help companies identify and reduce their environmental impacts
- Provide a framework for companies to benchmark their environmental performance against other companies
- Facilitate the flow of investment to green companies
- Enhance the reputation of green companies
The benefits of implementing GreenCo rating for companies include:
- Environmental benefits: Energy, environmental, and resource conservation
- Economic benefits: Competitiveness, cost reduction
- Brand and reputation benefits: Enhanced corporate green image
- Operational benefits: Implementation of sustainability concepts and best practices, future-readiness for environmental regulations
- Stakeholder benefits: Credibility, transparency
- Internal benefits: Capacity building, cross-functional team involvement, understanding of company’s performance compared to peers, monitoring of green performance, long-term roadmap for sustainable growth, innovation
Greenco Criteria
- Energy Efficiency: Measures the efficiency of energy use within the organization or facility.
- Water Conservation: Evaluates practices and initiatives aimed at conserving water resources.
- Renewable Energy: Assesses the adoption and utilization of renewable energy sources within operations.
- GHG Mitigation: Examines efforts to mitigate and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Waste Management: Assesses strategies for proper waste management, including reduction, recycling, and disposal practices.
- Material Conservation, Recycling, and Recyclability: Evaluate efforts to conserve materials, promote recycling, and enhance the recyclability of products and materials.
- Green Supply Chain: Examines sustainability practices throughout the supply chain, considering environmental impacts.
- Product Stewardship: Focuses on responsible product management throughout its life cycle, including disposal considerations.
- Life Cycle Assessment: Involves an assessment of the environmental impact of products or processes throughout their entire life cycle.
- Green Building Features: Considers sustainable and environmentally friendly features in building design and construction.
- Biodiversity: Evaluate initiatives and practices that contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.
- Innovation: Recognizes innovative approaches and technologies that promote sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Greenco Certification Levels
Greenco rating system Certification Levels
Companies that participate in the CII Greenco rating system are evaluated against these parameters and awarded a rating of A, B, C, or D.
- Certified Level 1: 350-449 Points
- Bronze Level 2: 450-549 Points
- Silver Level 3: 550-649 Points
- Gold Level 4: 650-749 Points
- Platinum Level 5: > 750 Points
The GreenCo rating system has five levels, each representing a different level of environmental performance:
- Platinum Level 5: Companies at this level demonstrate exceptional environmental performance, exceeding industry standards and achieving a score of 750 points or higher.
- Gold Level 4: Companies at this level achieve a high level of environmental performance, demonstrating strong sustainability practices and scoring between 650 and 749 points.
- Silver Level 3: Companies at this level achieve a good level of environmental performance, implementing solid sustainability initiatives and scoring between 550 and 649 points.
- Bronze Level 2: Companies at this level demonstrate a basic level of environmental performance, taking initial steps towards sustainability and scoring between 450 and 549 points.
- Certified Level 1: Companies at this level have met the minimum requirements for GreenCo certification, indicating a commitment to sustainability but with room for improvement. They score between 350 and 449 points.
Greenco Registration and Rating Procedure
The GreenCo rating system is a holistic ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) rating system designed to evaluate companies based on their environmental friendliness, considering their entire lifecycle activities.
The process of GreenCo certification involves several steps, including registration, training, data submission, site visits, and assessment. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
Registration:
- Companies can register for GreenCo rating online or through a registration form submitted to CII.
- CII Godrej GBC will confirm the registration.
- If you need assistance with the registration process, please contact us.
Training:
- CII-Godrej GBC conducts a 2-day training program on GreenCo Rating to help companies understand the concepts and criteria involved.
Data Submission:
- Companies must submit required data and documents as per the GreenCo rating guidelines.
- CII provides support through handholding visits to assist with data collection and verification.
Site Visit and Assessment:
- A team of independent experts conducts a site visit to validate the submitted data and assess the company’s green performance.
- The assessment team provides feedback and identifies opportunities for improvement.
Certification and Award:
- The assessment team’s findings are reviewed by a Judges’ panel, which awards the GreenCo rating.
- The rating is valid for three years, with re-certification required afterward.
Sustenance Review:
- Annual sustenance reviews are conducted through questionnaires to ensure companies maintain their green practices.
Professional Credentials
GreenCo Professionals typically hold specific credentials to ensure they are qualified to conduct assessments and provide guidance for the GreenCo Rating System. These credentials include:
1. Certified Energy Manager (CEM): Expertise in energy management practices, energy efficiency, and conservation.
2. Certified Energy Auditor (CEA): Skills in auditing energy usage and recommending improvements for energy savings.
3. Certified Sustainability Professional (CSP): Knowledge in sustainability practices, including environmental, economic, and social aspects.
4. Environmental Engineer: Background in environmental engineering principles, including pollution control, waste management, and resource conservation.
5. Green Building Professional: Experience in green building practices, including knowledge of sustainable construction methods and materials.
6. ISO 14001 Lead Auditor: Expertise in environmental management systems and auditing according to ISO 14001 standards.
7. LEED Accredited Professional: Knowledge of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards and green building practices.
These credentials ensure that GreenCo professionals are well-equipped to assess and guide companies in their pursuit of environmental sustainability and GreenCo certification.
Key Features
Here are some of the key features of the CII Greenco rating system:
- Voluntary: The CII Greenco rating system is a voluntary program. Companies are not required to participate in the program.
- Rigorous: The CII Greenco rating system is a rigorous program. Companies are evaluated against a set of 10 broad parameters, including energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, renewable energy use, pollution prevention, environmental management system, sustainable procurement, green supply chain, climate change adaptation, and climate change mitigation.
- Credible: The CII Greenco rating system is a credible program. It is administered by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), a leading business organization in India.
- Relevant: The CII Greenco rating system is relevant to the needs of Indian companies. It is designed to help companies identify and reduce their environmental impacts, attract investors, and enhance their reputation.
Pros and Cons of Implementation
Pros:
- Environmental benefits: Reduces environmental impact through energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction.
- Economic benefits: Can lead to cost savings through improved efficiency and reduced resource consumption.
- Brand and reputation benefits: Enhances a company’s image as an environmentally responsible organization.
- Operational benefits: Improves overall operations through the implementation of sustainable practices and best practices.
- Stakeholder benefits: Builds trust with investors, customers, and other stakeholders.
- Internal benefits: Fosters innovation, improves employee morale, and creates a more sustainable company culture.
Cons:
- Initial costs: Implementing GreenCo can require upfront investments in sustainable technologies and practices.
- Complexity: The GreenCo rating system can be complex, requiring significant effort to gather data and implement sustainable initiatives.
- Time-consuming: The certification process can be time-consuming, especially for larger companies.
- Potential for greenwashing: If not implemented authentically, GreenCo certification can be seen as a form of greenwashing.
