New Delhi, Delhi, 1st of September, 2026 : Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, today said that environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and resource depletion require integrated and collaborative solutions. Addressing the opening session of the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEF), Shri Yadav said that the theme – Together For More Resilience – reflects the need for stronger cooperation to build climate-resilient, resource-efficient and sustainable development pathways. The Minister co-chaired the event along with German Minister for Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, H.E. Carsten Schneider, in New Delhi today.
The IGEF is the highest-level bilateral forum between India and Germany on environmental policy and has been held since 2008. It was jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), Germany, in association with the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Addressing the Forum, Shri Yadav noted that environmental sustainability can no longer be addressed in isolation, and emphasised the need for cooperation in building a climate-resilient future. The Minister said that India’s development experience has demonstrated that environmental ambition and economic development need not be competing objectives. He said India has been consistently achieving its commitments under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ahead of schedule, reflecting the scale at which environmental transformation is taking place in the country.
Highlighting the economic potential of resource efficiency and circularity, the Minister said India’s circular economy has the potential to generate a market value of more than USD 2 trillion and create close to 10 million jobs by 2050. He said the establishment of the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition during India’s G20 Presidency was an important step in bringing resource efficiency and circularity into the global economic conversation.
The Minister also highlighted that the next phase of industry transition must address the complex challenge of decarbonising energy-intensive sectors such as steel, cement and chemicals. He stressed that this transition would require innovation, cleaner energy, resource efficiency, appropriate policy frameworks and new production processes. Shri Yadav called for the Indo-German Environment Forum to focus on strengthening the knowledge and evidence base for environmental decision-making, advancing practical and scalable approaches for climate, biodiversity and resource efficiency, and building stronger institutional capacities for implementation. He added that international cooperation on knowledge, technology and innovation would be crucial in advancing this transition.
Addressing the event, H.E. Carsten Schneider said India’s rapid expansion of renewable energy, with solar panels and wind turbines coming up across the country, makes it a role model for other regions of the world. He said India was truly a country of the future, marked by a strong sense of momentum and progress and an inspiring innovative spirit among its young population.
The German Minister noted that foundations of India-Germany relations were solid, with the two countries celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. He said India and Germany shared the common goal of ensuring that sustainable development goes hand in hand with economic growth. Welcoming the decision to expand cooperation on climate adaptation and wetland protection, he said the two countries would develop joint projects and share knowledge and experience.
On the sidelines of the Forum, Shri Yadav and H.E. Schneider held a bilateral meeting and reaffirmed the commitment on advancing environment sustainability and climate action. The ministers also signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands of International Importance. Shri Yadav said that the JDI would provide a platform for strengthening scientific understanding, sharing good practices in wetland management, developing restoration approaches and enhancing community participation.
Earlier during the event, Shri Yadav addressed the Indo-German Business Forum on the sidelines of the event. He spoke about the immense potential for collaboration in the green transition, particularly in renewable energy, energy storage, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, sustainable manufacturing and associated technologies. The Indo-German partnership has a strong foundation, and both countries are working closely to strengthen economic resilience while simultaneously advancing the transition towards low-carbon, resource-efficient and climate-resilient economies, he noted.
The Forum provided a platform for bilateral exchanges among policymakers, private-sector representatives, think tanks and other key stakeholders on environmental and climate cooperation between the two countries. Representatives from ministries, businesses, expert groups and non-governmental organisations participated in the Forum. Through thematic sessions, the Forum focused on challenges, solutions and opportunities in the areas of Low-Carbon Industries; Biodiversity in Wetlands, Mountains and Forests; Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy as a Business Model; and Sustainable Finance, Green Skills & Investment Mobilization.
Ahead of the Forum, the three Joint Working Groups on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Circular Economy met this year. The respective working groups discussed the progress made and areas of mutual interest. The Forum assumes significance in the context of the strong and growing economic and industrial linkages between India and Germany and the potential for deeper cooperation in sustainable technologies and green economy.
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