The Government of India on Friday inaugurated the International Conference on Carbon Markets Prakriti 2026 and launched the Indian Carbon Market Portal, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s climate action framework and advancing its transition towards a low carbon economy.
The conference, organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the patronage of the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, is being held as part of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. It brings together policymakers, global experts, industry leaders, researchers and practitioners to deliberate on the evolving role of carbon markets in climate mitigation and sustainable development.
Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal inaugurated the portal in the presence of Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik and other dignitaries. The Indian Carbon Market Portal has been designed as a centralised digital platform to operationalise and administer the country’s carbon market ecosystem, ensuring transparency, accountability and efficiency in carbon credit transactions.
Addressing the gathering, Manohar Lal emphasised that India has consistently demonstrated that economic growth and environmental responsibility can progress simultaneously. He noted that through initiatives such as the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, expansion of renewable energy capacity and sustained energy efficiency programmes, India is building a robust and credible carbon market architecture that will serve as a long term national asset.
He highlighted that India has already established a transparent Carbon Credit Trading Scheme with nine notified methodologies and more than 40 registered entities submitting projects across sectors such as biogas, hydrogen and forestry. On the compliance side, Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity targets have been notified for nearly 490 obligated entities across seven energy intensive sectors, ensuring measurable and verifiable emission reductions.
Manohar Lal urged industry stakeholders to view carbon markets not merely as regulatory obligations but as strategic instruments for innovation, investment and entrepreneurship. He underlined that carbon markets have the potential to unlock new avenues of sustainable growth while strengthening India’s climate commitments.
Shripad Naik outlined the foundational pillars required for building a resilient carbon market ecosystem. He stressed the importance of credibility through digital Monitoring Reporting and Verification systems to ensure integrity of emission reductions, capital mobilisation to drive investments into clean technologies such as renewable energy and green hydrogen, and global collaboration under frameworks such as Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
He highlighted India’s rapid progress as a global leader in renewable energy and noted that the operationalisation of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme 2023, along with expanding methodologies across sectors, reflects the country’s commitment to aligning climate action with economic growth. He added that carbon markets can empower a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including MSMEs and farmers, while promoting inclusive and transparent pathways for sustainable development.
The theme of Prakriti 2026, Unlocking Carbon Finance for NDC Implementation through Global Partnerships and Digital Pathways, reflects India’s strategic focus on mobilising climate finance, strengthening international cooperation and leveraging digital innovation to accelerate its Nationally Determined Contributions.
The two day conference will feature detailed discussions on global carbon markets under the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism, compliance frameworks, digital monitoring technologies, carbon border adjustment mechanisms, integration of buildings and cooling sectors into the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, and strategies for unlocking finance for clean energy technologies. Sessions will also focus on enhancing corporate climate responsibility and enabling farmer participation in carbon markets.
The event underscores India’s proactive and structured approach to building a credible and inclusive carbon market ecosystem that aligns with global standards while addressing domestic priorities. By integrating policy frameworks, technological systems and financial mechanisms, India is positioning itself as a key player in the global carbon economy.
Prakriti 2026 reinforces India’s growing stature as a leader in climate action. The launch of the Indian Carbon Market Portal marks a decisive milestone in institutionalising carbon trading mechanisms, enabling transparent market operations and accelerating the country’s green transition. The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to India’s long term sustainability goals while supporting economic growth through climate aligned investments.
