The Government of India inaugurated its flagship international conference on carbon markets, Prakriti 2026, marking a decisive step in the nation’s transition towards a low-carbon economy. Organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, the summit serves as a high-level forum for global policymakers and industry leaders to deliberate on the role of carbon finance in meeting national climate targets.
A central highlight of the opening day was the official launch of the Indian Carbon Market Portal (www.indiancarbonmarket.gov.in). Introduced by the Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, the digital platform is designed to serve as the primary administrative hub for the country’s evolving carbon credit framework.
During the inauguration, Lal emphasised that India is successfully decoupling economic growth from carbon emissions. He noted that the national Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) is already operational with nine notified methodologies. To date, over 40 entities have registered projects spanning green hydrogen, biogas, and forestry. On the compliance side, emission targets have been set for nearly 490 obligated entities across seven energy-intensive sectors, ensuring that reductions are both verifiable and credible.
The Minister of State for Power, Shripad Naik, outlined three “Cs” essential for the market’s success: Credibility through digital monitoring, Capital to fund clean technologies, and Collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. He highlighted that the framework is specifically designed to empower small-to-medium enterprises and the agricultural sector, allowing them to benefit from global green finance.
The two-day conference, held as part of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, features sessions on carbon border policies, digital innovation, and the integration of the building and cooling sectors into India’s climate strategy. By establishing a transparent and technologically advanced marketplace, India aims to position itself as a global hub for high-integrity carbon credits and sustainable investment.
