The National Green Tribunal's two-day International Conference on 'The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics' concluded in New Delhi with President Droupadi Murmu delivering the keynote address at the valedictory session. The conference, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 19, 2026, brought together jurists, academicians, policymakers, scientists, and environmental experts from 17 countries, along with representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
President Murmu emphasized strengthening climate resilience through people-centric and community-based adaptation approaches rooted in traditional knowledge, while praising NGT's role in environmental governance. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, Manohar Lal, highlighted India's significant progress in renewable energy, noting that non-fossil sources now account for nearly 55% of installed generation capacity, achieving the 50% non-fossil capacity target five years ahead of schedule. He also detailed initiatives in sustainable urban development, water security, public transport, green mobility, and electric vehicles.
Supreme Court Justice B.V. Nagarathna discussed the judiciary's shift toward an ecocentric approach and emphasized the need for environmental governance that balances development and conservation while accounting for differentiated impacts across communities and generations. NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava stressed that climate action must be inclusive and equitable, particularly attentive to vulnerable communities and future generations, while environmental law must embrace technology, innovation, sustainable finance, and just transition.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta emphasized that environmental protection requires combined wisdom from law, governance, science, economics, and society, noting that biodiversity protection must be balanced with climate action and development. During the event, Minister Manohar Lal released NGT's souvenir titled 'Harit Nyayam', which chronicles the tribunal's establishment, growth, and achievements, presenting the first copy to the President.
The conference featured two technical sessions on the second day: 'Planetary Environmental Challenges and Cooperation' focused on interconnected environmental issues, shared natural resources, transboundary cooperation, and international best practices; while 'Forests for the Future: A Dialogue on Forest Protection & Restoration' addressed forest governance, sustainable management, community participation, biodiversity conservation, and technology-based monitoring. The deliberations concluded with emphasis on translating environmental commitments into effective action, stronger institutions, and sustained international cooperation for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable future.