India showcases carbon credit trading scheme at WTO Trade and Environment Week
New Delhi, June 5
On the occasion of World Environment Day, India organised a special event titled "Showcase of India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme and Standardisation in Renewable Energy" during the World Trade Organisation Trade and Environment Week 2026 in Geneva, according to a Commerce Ministry statement issued on Friday.
The event highlighted India's efforts towards sustainable development, clean energy transition and achievement of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
The session showcased key policy and regulatory initiatives aimed at supporting India's transition to a low-carbon economy.
The event featured presentations by experts and senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) as well as the Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The programme commenced with a presentation on India's climate action and environmental sustainability initiatives.
The presentation highlighted India's achievements under its NDCs, carbon market mechanisms and major environmental and climate change initiatives.
It also underscored the principles of equity, Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), and multilateral cooperation that guide India's approach towards climate action and sustainable development.
It was highlighted that India has been consistently achieving its climate commitments ahead of schedule.
As of March 2026, the share of non-fossil fuel-based installed electricity generation capacity had reached 53.21 per cent against the target of 50 per cent by 2030, thereby achieving the target nearly five years in advance.
Similarly, India's emissions intensity of GDP declined by 37.38 per cent between 2005 and 2022, surpassing the NDC target of a 33-35 per cent reduction by 2030 well ahead of the stipulated timeline.
The session also highlighted India's evolving carbon market architecture and efforts to establish standards and certification frameworks in emerging renewable energy sectors.
India's national framework for the Indian Carbon Market, developed under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), aims to establish a national electronic carbon credit trading platform and utilise market-based instruments to incentivise activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction.
The progress achieved under the National Green Hydrogen Mission was also presented, including the emission thresholds and technical criteria notified for classifying hydrogen as "Green Hydrogen".
These standards are intended to provide transparency, credibility and certainty for producers, investors and consumers, while supporting the development of a robust green hydrogen ecosystem.
Earlier, on June 2, the delegations of India and Japan held discussions on transparency and unilateral trade-restrictive measures during the WTO Trade and Environment Week.
The discussions focused on the manner in which trade and climate-related measures may create unnecessary obstacles to international trade and examined the practical challenges faced by governments and stakeholders with limited capacities in complying with such measures.
The WTO Trade and Environment Week provided an important platform for India to share its experiences and policy approaches on trade, environmental sustainability, emissions standards and carbon markets.
It also provided an opportunity to showcase the country's domestic initiatives and regulatory developments to the international community while contributing to discussions on sustainable and inclusive pathways for addressing climate change, the statement added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, India is taking carbon trading seriously! The CCTS and green hydrogen standards are exactly what we need for transparency. But I hope this isn't just for show at WTO – we need implementation at ground level, especially for industries in states like Gujarat and Maharashtra that are major emitters.
Good to see India leading at WTO, but let's not forget the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities. Developed nations have historically polluted more – they should be buying our credits, not imposing trade barriers. Japan's concerns about unilateral measures are valid; we must push back against green protectionism.
Impressive numbers from India! 37% reduction in emissions intensity is no joke. The Green Hydrogen framework is forward-thinking too. As someone in renewable energy, I'm curious how the carbon credit platform will integrate with global markets – hope it's robust enough to attract international investment without compromising sovereignty.
All this sounds great on paper, but where's the accountability? Carbon credits can be easily manipulated if monitoring isn't strict. Also, we need to ensure coal-dependent states like Jharkhand and Odisha get support for just transition, not just fancy certificates. The real test will be whether rural communities benefit.
Feeling proud but cautiously optimistic. India has always advocated for equity in climate talks – we can't let rich countries use carbon tariffs to hurt our exports while they keep emitting. The CBDR-RC principle must be non-negotiable. Good that we're showcasing this at WTO, but we need to back it up with strong domestic policy enforcement.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.