changeadminIndia’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said that environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource depletion require integrated, collaborative solutions.
Addressing the opening session of the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEF), Mr 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.
India’s Environment Minister co-chaired the event along with German Minister for Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, 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 Indo-German Environment Forum, Mr 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 consistently achieved its commitments under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ahead of schedule, reflecting the scale of environmental transformation underway 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 establishing 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.
Mr 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 strong momentum and progress and an inspiring, innovative spirit among its young population.
The German Minister noted that the 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 Indo-German Environment Forum, Mr Yadav and H.E. Schneider held a bilateral meeting and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and climate action.
The ministers also signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands of International Importance.
Mr Yadav said the JDI would provide a platform to strengthen scientific understanding, share good practices in wetland management, develop restoration approaches, and enhance community participation.
Earlier, Mr 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 advancing the transition to 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 Indo-German Environment 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 Mobilisation.
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 is significant 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 the green economy.
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