‘Developing Nations Wrongly Blamed’: PM Modi Says India’s Per Capita Carbon Emissions Below Global Average

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the responsibility for carbon emissions has often been “wrongly placed” on developing countries, highlighting that India’s per capita carbon emissions are less than half the global average.

Addressing the International Conference on ‘The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics’ at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Modi said climate responsibility should be assessed while taking differences in per capita emissions into account.

“We are all aware that the responsibility for carbon emissions has often been wrongly placed on developing countries. Many of my colleagues from the Global South are present here. Yet, the historical reality remains that, even today, India’s per capita carbon emissions are less than half of the global average,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s progress in renewable energy and said the country had achieved its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of schedule. He said renewable energy has remained a major focus of India’s environmental efforts.

India’s Climate Efforts

Modi said India has made significant progress across various environmental sectors over the past 12 years, with renewable energy playing a central role.

He highlighted initiatives related to solar power, electric mobility, hydrogen, nuclear energy, waste management and water conservation as examples of India’s efforts to align development with environmental goals.

The Prime Minister also referred to India’s international environmental initiatives, including the Global Biofuel Alliance and the Big Cat Alliance.

What Is The Environment And Climate Conference?

The two-day international conference is being organised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) at Vigyan Bhawan on September 19 and 20. The event is focused on major environmental and climate challenges, including climate resilience, biodiversity, sustainable energy and the circular economy.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the conference brings together environmental experts, Supreme Court and High Court judges, district judges, senior government officials and representatives of various judicial and environmental institutions. Judicial representatives from 17 countries are also participating.

The inaugural session was attended by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, Attorney General R Venkataramani and NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava.

Focus On Environmental Governance

According to the NGT, the conference aims to facilitate the exchange of judicial approaches, scientific knowledge and environmental governance practices across countries.

Discussions will focus on gaps in policy formulation, implementation and enforcement, while also exploring ways to strengthen institutional cooperation in addressing environmental and climate challenges.

The conference features four technical sessions covering climate justice and inclusion, environmental law and governance, global environmental challenges and cooperation, and forest protection and restoration.

The valedictory session on Sunday will be attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Union Minister Manohar Lal, Supreme Court judge Justice B V Nagarathna, NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.