New Delhi | India is charting a development pathway that integrates economic growth, poverty eradication, urbanisation, industrial expansion and decarbonisation simultaneously, Union Environment Secretary Shri Tanmay Kumar said while addressing the valedictory session of the Silver Jubilee edition of TERI’s World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026 in New Delhi.
Delivering the closing address at the global sustainability forum, the Secretary emphasised that climate change is no longer confined to environmental discourse but has emerged as a defining challenge of governance, development, security and human welfare. He contrasted India’s approach with the historically high-emission industrialisation models of developed nations, asserting that India is industrialising cleaner from the outset.
Referring to the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement, which calls for a 43 per cent reduction in global emissions by 2030, Shri Kumar noted a significant implementation gap globally, particularly due to insufficient action by developed economies. Between 1850 and 2019, developed countries accounted for nearly half of cumulative global CO₂ emissions, while India’s historical contribution remains comparatively minimal.
Highlighting India’s demographic and emission profile, he stated that although the country houses 17 per cent of the world’s population, its per capita emissions stand at around two tonnes annually — significantly below the global average. Unlike coal-driven industrialisation pathways adopted elsewhere, India’s growth trajectory prioritises renewable energy expansion, forest conservation and sustainable urban transitions.
Vision 2047: Development Without Ecological Debt
Looking ahead to the “Viksit Bharat” vision for 2047, marking 100 years of Independence, the Secretary outlined a framework for a developed India that does not replicate carbon-intensive models of the past. The envisioned model includes:
- Transit-oriented urban development
- Industries powered increasingly by green energy
- A national grid integrating large-scale renewables and storage
- A circular economy aimed at reducing material intensity
Emphasising equity and intergenerational justice, Shri Kumar stated that India will not solve present poverty by creating future ecological crises, underscoring the need for inclusive and sustainable growth.
Environmental Gains and Governance Reforms
Citing measurable environmental outcomes, the Secretary noted that India ranks ninth globally in total forest area and third in annual net forest gain, according to the latest FAO report. Additionally, the country added 11 new Ramsar sites in 2025, taking the total to 98 — the highest in Asia — reflecting accelerated wetland conservation efforts.
He also outlined key regulatory and institutional reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, including:
- Green Credit Programme
- Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Rules, 2025
- Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025
- Environment Audit Rules, 2025
- PARIVESH 2.0 digital clearance platform
These measures, he stated, are aimed at strengthening transparency, streamlining environmental approvals, and aligning sustainability with economic activity.
Climate Commitments Ahead of Schedule
On India’s climate targets, Shri Kumar said the country is on track to achieve a 45 per cent reduction in emission intensity of GDP by 2030. Notably, the revised target of achieving 50 per cent cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources was met in June 2025 — ahead of schedule. India is also in the process of revising its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris framework.
Concluding his address, the Secretary reiterated that while developed nations followed a “coal-first industrialisation” model marked by high emissions and forest depletion, India’s pathway is built on low per capita emissions, scaled renewable deployment, increasing forest cover and behavioural transformation through Mission LiFE.
On the sidelines of the Summit, the Ministry organised Him-CONNECT, a dedicated platform linking Himalayan researchers with startups, industry, investors and policymakers. The event also witnessed the release of the Act4Earth Manifesto, reinforcing collective commitments toward accelerated global climate action.
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