New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi used an international platform organized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to sharply critique what he described as an uneven distribution of responsibility for addressing climate change. Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister argued that developed nations, which historically contributed the most to global carbon emissions, are increasingly passing the blame and the burden onto developing countries like India.
Modi emphasized that economic growth and environmental sustainability cannot be treated as opposing goals, particularly for nations that are still lifting millions out of poverty. He pointed out that countries such as India have been making extraordinary efforts to expand renewable energy capacity and reduce the carbon intensity of their economies, despite having one of the lowest per-capita emission rates in the world.
The Prime Minister's remarks came during a high-profile gathering that brought together judges, legal experts, environmental scientists, and policymakers from around the globe. The conference, hosted under the auspices of the NGT, focused on the intersection of environmental jurisprudence and climate policy, with participants discussing how legal frameworks can better support sustainable development across the Global South.
During his address, Modi highlighted India's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and its target of sourcing 50 percent of its energy requirements from non-fossil fuel sources by that same decade. He noted that India's solar and wind energy installations have grown exponentially over the past several years, positioning the country as one of the leading contributors to global renewable capacity.
However, he warned that international climate financing promised by wealthy nations has not kept pace with expectations, leaving developing countries to shoulder disproportionate costs. He called on the international community to honor previous commitments made under global climate agreements and to provide meaningful technology transfer and financial support to help emerging economies transition cleanly.
Legal authorities and tribunal members present at the conference commended Modi's vision, noting that environmental justice must also encompass economic justice for developing nations. The NGT, established in 2010 to handle expedited cases relating to environmental protection, has been actively hearing petitions on pollution, deforestation, and industrial waste, among other issues.
The Prime Minister's speech is expected to reinforce India's diplomatic stance on climate negotiations ahead of future international summits, where the divide between developed and developing nations on emission responsibilities remains a central point of contention.
