Bhupender Yadav addresses the 20th Global Sustainability Summit in New Delhi

At the 20^th Global Sustainability Summit, organized by the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, described India’s journey towards resilient, regenerative and responsible growth. Dignitaries on dais included Shri Chandrajit Banerjee, DG, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Shri Sanjiv Puri, Immediate Past President, CII. The gathering included representatives from over 10 countries and stalwarts from the industry.

Addressing global delegates in New Delhi today, Shri Yadav underlined that India’s model of development is deeply rooted in balancing economic progress with ecological stewardship. “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. 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. The Minister 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.

Shri Yadav highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry has recently issued very critical notifications with the aim of building a sustainable future. He informed that on 29^th August 2025, the Government of India 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”, Shri Yadav stated.

The Minister further informed the gathering about the notification of a revised methodology for the Green Credit Programme on 29^th 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.

In addition, Shri Yadav highlighted that on 31^st August 2025, 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.