“India will soon launch its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to mainstream climate adaptation into sectoral policies to strengthen resilience against climate risks“
New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav reiterated that India has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy while also leading global efforts on climate action.
“India is the only country that has successfully adapted sustainable growth across the policy landscape through targeted scheme implementation, infrastructure investment, local commitment and tangible achievements on multilateral commitments,” he added.
Addressing the 20th Global Sustainability Summit, organized by the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, Mr Y0adav underlined that India’s model of development is deeply rooted in balancing economic progress with ecological stewardship.
The Minister also called upon all countries to make sustainability foundational to growth by embracing economy-wide solutions that encompass circular economy models, nature-positive actions, green manufacturing and advancing behaviour change for responsible practices.
“Sustainability should not be considered as a goal or an objective. I believe it is a lifestyle choice, an evolving commitment to be resilient, regenerative, and responsible,” he said.
Sustainability should not be considered as a goal or an objective that has to be achieved. I believe it is a lifestyle choice, an evolving commitment to be resilient by withstanding and adapt to uncertainties of an ever-changing world.
— MoEF&CC (@moefcc) September 2, 2025
~ HMEFCC Shri @byadavbjp pic.twitter.com/Mdds8wQcJf
The Minister highlighted that the prevailing global trade tensions, policy uncertainties, geopolitical conflicts, and barriers to global financial investments by major economies collectively create a fragile environment.
He informed that on 29th August 2025, the Government notified the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, which create a formal framework for environmental auditing across the country.
These rules establish a two-tiered system of auditors and set up a dedicated agency to transparently oversee the process. “These rules are designed to supplement the existing monitoring and inspection framework of the government, not to replace it”, Yadav stated.
The Minister further informed that the notification of a revised methodology for the Green Credit Programme on 29th August 2025.
Originally launched in October 2023 to encourage voluntary environmental action, the programme has now been strengthened with provisions that allow direct participation by private entities, establish minimum restoration commitments, mobilize private capital for climate action, and utilizate Earned Green Credits.
“The revised methodology ensures that the Green Credit Programme becomes a catalyst for meaningful eco-restoration”, the Minister explained.
Mr Yadav highlighted that the Ministry amended the Forest (Conservation and Augmentation) Rules, 2023 to facilitate the objectives of achieving self-reliance in the Critical Mineral sector under the newly launched National Critical Mineral Mission, 2025.
Under this mission, 24 minerals have been identified as critical and strategic, and 29 others have been recognized as important for strengthening the country’s economy and national security. The amended rules simplify the approval process for mining these minerals in forest areas for both public and private entities.
“India is one of leading countries to establish a robust framework of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), ensuring disposal of end-of-life products in an environmentally sustainable manner, ” he added.
Pointing to India’s progress in expanding forest cover, launching innovative campaigns like ‘Mission LiFE’, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, enhancing carbon sinks, and advancing circular economy practices, Yadav added, “Our enduring economic progress is founded on resilience, regeneration and responsibility—values that the world must now embrace as the foundation of sustainable growth”.
The Minister informed that one of the most significant interventions under the resilience pillar is the upcoming launch of India’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
“Driven by science-led evidence and guided by grassroots realities, NAP will act as a blueprint for embedding adaptation into national development policies across sectors, ensuring a systematic and long-term approach.
Bringing the focus on a collective global strategy to tackle Climate Change, Mr Yadav stated, “India’s policy roadmap and growth model exemplifies how Nations can harmonise economic growth with sustainability to cultivate resilient, low-carbon development pathways.
