PM Narendra Modi says developing nations unfairly blamed for carbon emissions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said developing countries are often unfairly held responsible for carbon emissions, pointing out that India’s per-capita emissions are less than half the global average, while those of developed countries are up to six times higher.

Modi made the remarks while inaugurating the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) two-day international conference on “The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics” at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. He also launched the NGT’s mobile application during the inaugural session.

PM Modi highlights India’s climate record

The Prime Minister said India was demonstrating that economic development and environmental sustainability could progress together. He highlighted India’s historical and cultural relationship with nature and said the country was now drawing on that experience to offer solutions to contemporary climate challenges.

Modi said India is the only G20 country to have fulfilled all the commitments it made at the Paris COP-21 summit ahead of schedule. He also highlighted India’s progress in non-fossil fuel capacity and solar energy, saying the country’s environmental performance had become a subject of global discussion.

Recalling the launch of the “Convenient Action: Continuity for Change” book at COP-21, he referred to several international initiatives associated with India’s climate and environmental diplomacy, including One Sun, One World, One Grid, the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Global Biofuel Alliance and the International Big Cat Alliance.

“India is now providing solutions to modern climate challenges,” Modi said, stressing that the country was seeking to establish new benchmarks for environmental protection while taking the international community along.

Solar, clean energy and electric mobility

The Prime Minister pointed to the expansion of India’s solar power capacity, which he said had risen from around 2 GW in 2014 to more than 160 GW currently. He attributed part of the expansion to schemes such as the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and the PM-KUSUM scheme for farmers.

According to the government, more than 50 lakh homes have been covered under PM Surya Ghar with financial assistance of up to ₹80,000 per household, while 30 lakh farmers have received solar pumps under the Kusum scheme. Modi also said the completed One Nation-One Grid project had helped prevent 200 million tonnes of carbon emissions.

He said India had recorded a threefold rise in wind power capacity and significant growth in hydropower, while nuclear power generation was entering a new phase with private participation. He added that the country’s non-fossil energy capacity had nearly quadrupled.

Modi also referred to India’s first hydrogen train, which he described as the world’s longest such train, calling it the beginning of a new era of clean mobility.

On electric vehicles, he said sales had increased 950-fold, from fewer than 3,000 before 2014 to around 25 lakh last year. He also cited FASTag as an example of technology helping reduce fuel wastage by cutting waiting times at toll plazas.

He highlighted the expansion of metro networks, noting that India’s system had grown from around 250 km across five cities in 2014 to more than 1,000 km across over 20 cities. He also pointed to near-total railway electrification and the 3,000-km Dedicated Freight Corridor, where double-stack container trains are reducing the need for large numbers of road freight vehicles.

India now has approximately 5,000 km of operational inland waterways, Modi said, adding that a standard inland vessel can carry cargo equivalent to dozens of trucks.

“Our development is speedy as well as sustainable,” he said.

Focus on water, forests and sustainable agriculture

The Prime Minister also outlined several initiatives aimed at conserving water and strengthening climate-resilient agriculture.

He said more than 70,000 Amrit Sarovars had been constructed and 1.5 crore rainwater harvesting structures created under the Catch the Rain campaign. Modern irrigation techniques under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and the “Per Drop, More Crop” initiative are helping conserve water for more than two crore farmers, he said.

Modi also highlighted the promotion of millets, or Shree Anna, which require comparatively less water. He said domestic production had increased and exports had reached 1.5 lakh tonnes, while India’s efforts contributed to the global recognition of 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

Under the National Mission on Natural Farming, 24,000 natural farming clusters have been established across 12.5 lakh hectares, while 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties have been developed, he said. He also highlighted agro-forestry as a means of reducing carbon footprints.

Modi said very dense forest cover had increased by more than 22 per cent over the past 12 years and referred to the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, which has encouraged large-scale tree planting.

On waste management, he reiterated India’s ban on single-use plastics and its push towards a circular economy based on reducing, reusing and recycling waste. He cited the Gobardhan Yojana as an example of converting rural organic waste into useful resources.

CJI highlights environmental jurisprudence

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, who also addressed the conference, spoke about the development of environmental jurisprudence in India.

He said the Supreme Court had, over several decades, recognised the right to a pollution-free environment as a fundamental right and developed principles such as the precautionary principle, the polluter pays principle, absolute liability and the public trust doctrine.

The CJI also said climate-related rights had acquired greater constitutional significance, with the adverse effects of climate change potentially affecting fundamental rights linked to equality, livelihood and health. He called for judicial wisdom, scientific knowledge and international cooperation to strengthen environmental protection.

Attorney General R Venkataramani said no country could address environmental challenges on its own and called for global action to move beyond declarations towards practical and enforceable mechanisms. He also advocated a stronger international environmental regulatory framework while taking into account energy and food security, housing, health, water, ecosystems and economic opportunities.

India has exceeded 2030 non-fossil target, says Yadav

Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said non-fossil sources now account for 54.18 per cent of India’s installed electricity capacity, exceeding the country’s 2030 target of 50 per cent nine years ahead of schedule.

Yadav said India ranked third globally in installed renewable energy capacity and was the world’s second-largest solar growth market. He also highlighted conservation initiatives involving the reintroduction of cheetahs, the Great Indian Bustard and the restoration of woodlands, grasslands and wetlands.

He said India’s forest and tree cover had reached 8.27 lakh square kilometres and cited the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025, under which India retained third place globally in annual net forest-area gain.

Looking ahead to the UN climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Yadav said India would continue to advocate climate action centred on equity, implementation and the needs of vulnerable countries.

Two-day conference brings together 17 countries

The conference, organised by the NGT on September 19 and 20, has brought together jurists, academics, policymakers, scientists, environmental experts and other stakeholders from 17 countries, along with representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Asian Development Bank.

The conference is examining issues including climate justice and equity, environmental law and governance, biodiversity, sustainable energy, resilient cities and transboundary environmental challenges. Four technical sessions have been scheduled, with two held on the opening day.

The event is intended to promote the exchange of judicial, scientific, policy and institutional practices and develop recommendations for greater international cooperation on environmental and climate challenges.

President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to attend the valedictory session on Sunday, September 20. Other participants include judges and judicial representatives from different countries, Supreme Court and High Court judges, government officials and environmental institutions.