New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) two-day International Conference on ‘The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics’ concluded in New Delhi with a call to translate environmental commitments into effective action, stronger institutions and sustained international cooperation.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the valedictory session of the conference, which brought together jurists, policymakers, scientists, academicians and environmental experts from 17 countries, along with representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
President Calls for Community-Based Climate Resilience
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu highlighted the role of the NGT in strengthening environmental governance and stressed the importance of building climate resilience through people-centric and community-based adaptation.
She also underlined the value of incorporating traditional knowledge into approaches to climate adaptation.
NGT Calls for Action Beyond Identifying Environmental Challenges
NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said the conference discussions highlighted the need to move beyond identifying environmental problems towards developing laws, institutions and partnerships capable of responding to them.
He emphasised that environmental action should:
- Remain inclusive and equitable
- Address the concerns of vulnerable communities
- Consider the interests of future generations
- Incorporate technology and innovation
- Support sustainable finance and a just transition
Supreme Court Judge Highlights Environmental Governance
Supreme Court Judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna said environmental governance must balance development and conservation while considering the interests of present and future generations.
She highlighted the Supreme Court’s shift towards an ecocentric approach and stressed the importance of:
- Effective institutions and enforcement
- Transparency and accountability
- Access to environmental justice
- Cooperation across jurisdictions
- Knowledge-sharing among countries
Justice Nagarathna also noted that climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and water scarcity are interconnected challenges requiring coordinated responses.
Government Highlights India’s Non-Fossil Capacity
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power Manohar Lal highlighted India’s efforts to combine development with environmental sustainability.
He said non-fossil sources account for nearly 55% of India’s installed electricity generation capacity, adding that the country achieved its 50% non-fossil capacity target five years ahead of schedule.
He also referred to initiatives involving:
- Sustainable urban development
- Water security
- Public transport
- Green mobility
- Electric vehicles
The minister stressed the need for collective action to address climate change.
Second Day Focuses on Planetary Challenges and Forests
The conference’s second day featured two technical sessions examining environmental challenges and possible areas of cooperation.
Key sessions included:
- ‘Planetary Environmental Challenges and Cooperation’ — addressed shared natural resources, transboundary environmental issues, competing national interests and international best practices.
- ‘Forests for the Future: A Dialogue on Forest Protection & Restoration’ — examined forest governance, sustainable forest management, community participation, biodiversity conservation and technology-based monitoring.
The forest session also discussed regional cooperation, institutional partnerships and measurable goals for forest protection and restoration.
‘Harit Nyayam’ Souvenir Released
During the valedictory programme, Manohar Lal released the NGT souvenir ‘Harit Nyayam’ and presented its first copy to President Murmu.
The publication documents the Tribunal’s establishment, development and work and brings together perspectives and ideas emerging from its functioning and the international conference.
Conference Brings Together 17 Countries
The conference was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 19 and provided a platform for judicial, scientific, policy and institutional perspectives on environmental and climate challenges.
The discussions covered environmental governance, climate justice, biodiversity, forest protection, transboundary cooperation and institutional responses.
The conference concluded with an emphasis on turning environmental principles and commitments into practical action, backed by stronger institutions, knowledge-sharing and sustained international cooperation for a sustainable, resilient and equitable future.
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