New Delhi, Sep 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated a two-day international conference on “The Future of Environment and Climate Change” organised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi.
The conference brings together judges, policymakers, scientists, academics, environmental experts and other stakeholders from 17 countries to discuss legal, institutional and policy responses to emerging environmental and climate challenges.
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, Attorney General R Venkataramani, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava attended the inaugural session.Addressing the gathering, Modi highlighted India’s traditional relationship with nature and said knowledge rooted in the country’s cultural heritage could contribute to modern approaches to climate action. He also appreciated the NGT’s efforts in advancing environmental protection and justice.
Yadav reiterated India’s commitment to climate action based on equity, implementation and sustainable development. According to the ministry, non-fossil fuel sources now account for 54.18 per cent of India’s installed electricity capacity, exceeding the country’s 2030 target of 50 per cent ahead of schedule.
The minister also highlighted India’s progress in renewable energy, saying the country ranks third globally in installed renewable energy capacity and is the world’s second-largest solar energy market.On conservation, Yadav referred to initiatives covering wildlife, forests, grasslands and wetlands, including the cheetah reintroduction programme and conservation and breeding efforts for the Great Indian Bustard.
He said India’s forest and tree cover had reached 8.27 lakh square kilometres.He also cited the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025, according to which India retained its third position globally in annual net forest area gain.Yadav said environmental challenges cross national boundaries and therefore require cooperation among countries.
He said the choice before the world was not between development and environmental protection, but between sustainable and unsustainable forms of development.Chief Justice Surya Kant highlighted the evolution of environmental jurisprudence in India and referred to principles such as the precautionary principle, polluter pays principle, absolute liability and public trust doctrine.
He said climate change could affect fundamental rights linked to equality, livelihood and health, and called for greater cooperation among judicial institutions, scientists and countries.Attorney General R Venkataramani stressed that environmental problems cannot be addressed by individual countries in isolation.
He called for international mechanisms that move beyond declarations and focus on practical implementation, while taking into account issues such as energy and food security, housing, health, water, ecosystems and economic opportunities.
NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava said environmental protection was a shared responsibility involving institutions, governments and society. He highlighted India’s efforts towards creating a cleaner, greener and more resilient future.
During the inaugural session, Modi also launched the National Green Tribunal mobile application, aimed at strengthening access to information and digital services related to the tribunal.The two-day conference includes four technical sessions.
The first session focuses on climate justice, equity and inclusion, while the second examines the future of environmental law and governance, including enforcement mechanisms, sustainable cities, energy transition, green infrastructure and green finance.
The remaining discussions are aimed at strengthening environmental institutions and laws, promoting intergenerational equity, supporting sustainable cities and facilitating cooperation on environmental challenges that extend across national borders.
The conference also seeks to encourage the exchange of research, best practices and innovative solutions and develop practical recommendations and a roadmap for future international cooperation on environmental and climate issues.
