New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Saturday inaugurated the International Conference on Carbon Markets, Prakriti 2026, and launched the Indian Carbon Market Portal, underscoring India’s commitment to advancing climate action alongside economic growth.
The two-day conference, organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is being held in the national capital as part of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026.
The event brings together global experts, policymakers, industry leaders and researchers to deliberate on carbon markets and their role in supporting climate goals and green growth. The theme of this year’s conference is “Unlocking Carbon Finance for NDC Implementation through Global Partnerships and Digital Pathways.”
During the inaugural session, the Indian Carbon Market Portal (www.indiancarbonmarket.gov.in
) was launched by Manohar Lal, along with Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik and other dignitaries. The portal is designed as a central platform for implementing and administering the country’s carbon market.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister said India has demonstrated that climate responsibility and economic development can progress together. He highlighted initiatives such as the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), renewable energy expansion and energy efficiency programmes as key steps toward building a transparent and credible carbon market framework.
He noted that the country has already notified nine methodologies under the CCTS, with over 40 entities registering projects in sectors such as biogas, hydrogen and forestry. Additionally, greenhouse gas emission intensity targets have been set for nearly 490 entities across seven energy-intensive sectors.
Emphasising the economic potential of carbon markets, Lal urged businesses to view them not merely as compliance mechanisms but as opportunities for innovation, investment and entrepreneurship.
Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik highlighted three key pillars for robust carbon markets — credibility through digital monitoring, reporting and verification systems, capital mobilisation for clean technologies, and international collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
He said India’s progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency demonstrates that climate action and economic growth are complementary, adding that carbon markets can empower MSMEs and farmers while enabling transparent global cooperation.
The conference will feature discussions on global carbon markets under the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism, compliance frameworks, digital technologies, carbon border policies and financing clean technologies.
Officials said Prakriti 2026 reflects India’s growing role as a global leader in climate action and its efforts to develop a transparent, inclusive and innovation-driven carbon market ecosystem.
