PM Modi and CJI Address NGT Conference on Climate Equity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India Surya Kant addressed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) International Conference on Climate Disputes and Environmental Justice. PM Modi emphasized that developing nations are unfairly burdened with historical carbon emissions, while CJI Surya Kant urged environmental benches to assess cumulative ecological harm rather than isolated local impacts.

The conference focused on judicial responses to climate change, sustainable development, and global climate governance. India has consistently advocated for climate equity at international forums, referencing the foundational principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) established under the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The National Green Tribunal was established under the NGT Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection. Headquartered in New Delhi with five zonal benches, the NGT possesses jurisdiction over major environmental statutes, enforcing the Polluter Pays Principle and Precautionary Principle as part of Article 21 rights.

The addresses emphasize India's dual approach of demanding global climate equity while strengthening domestic judicial oversight. This news is critical for UPSC GS Paper III (Environment & Ecology) and GS Paper II (Judiciary), covering statutory bodies, constitutional environmental guarantees, and climate jurisprudence.