Vinod Bhat
New Delhi: The International Conference on Carbon Markets- Prakriti 2026, the flagship event of the Government of India, organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the patronage of the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, commenced today in New Delhi.The conference, organised as part of Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, provides a high-level platform for national and international experts, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and practitioners to deliberate on the evolving dynamics of carbon markets, their role in climate action, and opportunities for India’s green growth. This year’s theme- “Unlocking Carbon Finance for NDC Implementation through Global Partnerships and Digital Pathways” reflects India’s focus on mobilizing finance, strengthening cooperation, and leveraging digital innovation to accelerate climate action. During the event, the Indian Carbon Market Portal (www.indiancarbonmarket.gov.in)- a central platform for implementing and administering the Indian Carbon Market was launched by Shri Manohar Lal the Union Minister for Power & Housing and Urban Affairs,Shri Shripad Naik Minister of State for Power, and other dignitaries.
Inaugurating the portal, Shri Manohar Lal, highlighted India’s leadership in advancing climate commitments under the visionary guidance of the Prime Minister. He stated, India has demonstrated that climate responsibility and economic development can go hand in hand. Through initiatives such as the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), renewable energy expansion, and energy efficiency programmes, India is building a transparent and credible carbon market framework that will serve as a long-term national asset.
He further noted that India has already established a transparent Carbon Credit Trading Scheme with nine notified methodologies and over 40 registered entities submitting projects in biogas, hydrogen, and forestry. On the compliance side, GEI targets for nearly 490 obligated entities across seven energy-intensive sectors have been notified, ensuring emission reductions are verifiable and credible.
He urged businesses to view carbon markets not merely as a compliance requirement but as a strategic opportunity for innovation, investment, sustainable growth, and entrepreneurship, adding that they will serve as an economic platform to facilitate the same.”
The Minister of State for Power, Shri Shripad Naik, underscored the three pillars or three Cs essential for robust carbon markets- credibility through digital MRV for verifiable emission reductions, capital to channel trillions into clean technologies like renewables and green hydrogen, and collaboration via Paris Agreement Article 6. He highlighted India’s rapid rise as a global renewable energy leader, alongside energy efficiency gains and the operational Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) 2023 with expanding methodologies across sectors. He emphasized that these advancements show how guarded climate action and economic growth are complementary, with carbon markets poised to drive high-integrity ambition, empower MSMEs and farmers, and shape transparent global pathways.
The two-day conference will feature sessions on global carbon markets under the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM), compliance frameworks, digital MRV technologies, carbon border policies, integration of buildings and cooling into India’s CCTS, empowering farmers, unlocking finance for clean technologies, and corporate climate action. Together, these sessions underscored India’s proactive approach to shaping credible, inclusive, and globally aligned carbon markets.
Prakriti 2026 reaffirms India’s emergence as a global leader in climate action. By building a carbon market anchored in transparency, credibility, and innovation, India is not only accelerating its domestic green transition but also shaping international pathways for sustainable growth. The conference marks a decisive step in positioning India as a trusted hub for climate solutions and a driving force in the global momentum towards a low-carbon future.
