New Delhi, March 23, 2026: The Government of India inaugurated the International Conference on Carbon Markets – Prakriti 2026 in New Delhi, alongside the launch of the Indian Carbon Market Portal, marking a significant step towards strengthening the country’s climate action framework.
Organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the conference is part of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. It brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and global experts to discuss the evolving role of carbon markets in climate action and green growth.
The theme of this year’s conference, “Unlocking Carbon Finance for NDC Implementation through Global Partnerships and Digital Pathways,” reflects India’s focus on mobilising finance, enhancing collaboration, and leveraging digital technologies to accelerate its climate commitments.
Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, inaugurated the portal in the presence of Minister of State for Power Shri Shripad Naik and other dignitaries. The portal is designed as a central platform to implement and administer the Indian Carbon Market, supporting transparency and efficiency in carbon trading mechanisms.
Speaking at the event, Shri Manohar Lal said, “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 highlighted that India has already established a Carbon Credit Trading Scheme with nine notified methodologies and over 40 registered entities undertaking projects in sectors such as biogas, hydrogen, and forestry. Emission intensity targets have also been notified for nearly 490 entities across seven energy-intensive sectors.
Encouraging industry participation, he added that carbon markets should be viewed not just as a compliance mechanism but as an opportunity for innovation, investment, and sustainable growth.
Minister of State for Power, Shri Shripad Naik, emphasized the importance of the “three Cs” for effective carbon markets—credibility, capital, and collaboration. He noted that digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems will ensure credible emission reductions, while financial flows into clean technologies and global cooperation under frameworks such as the Paris Agreement will further strengthen the ecosystem.
The two-day conference will include discussions on global carbon markets, compliance frameworks, digital technologies, carbon border policies, and opportunities for sectors such as agriculture and MSMEs.
Prakriti 2026 highlights India’s growing role in shaping transparent and inclusive carbon markets, positioning the country as a key contributor to global climate solutions and sustainable development.
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