Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an international environment and climate conference hosted by the National Green Tribunal in New Delhi on September 19. Speaking at Vigyan Bhawan, he argued that developing countries are often unfairly blamed for carbon emissions, noting that developed nations emit about six times more per capita than India, whose emissions remain less than half the global average. He also claimed India is the only G20 country to meet its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of schedule and highlighted progress on non-fossil fuels, solar capacity, and emissions metrics.
Modi urged citizens to forcefully state India’s emissions facts on global platforms and complained that nuclear-energy projects are routinely challenged in court by people presenting themselves as environmental champions. The inaugural session was attended by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Attorney General R Venkataramani, and NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava.
Judges and representatives from 17 countries are participating in the two-day conference alongside Indian judges, ministry secretaries, and state environmental authorities. The event features technical sessions on policy gaps and institutional cooperation, with President Droupadi Murmu and other senior constitutional figures scheduled for the September 20 valedictory session.