The International Conference on Carbon Markets, Prakriti 2025, concluded successfully, bringing together national and international experts, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and practitioners. The two-day event, held on February 24-25, 2025, was organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. It served as a key platform to discuss global carbon market trends, challenges, and future opportunities.
The conference was inaugurated by Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs. He emphasized the importance of carbon markets in achieving climate goals and strengthening India’s sustainability efforts. The event featured insightful discussions on policy frameworks, financial mechanisms, and technological advancements in carbon trading and energy transition.
UN Goodwill Ambassador and actor Dia Mirza attended the event and participated in a fireside chat moderated by Saurabh Diddi, Director of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. She spoke about the role individuals can play in tackling climate change and highlighted the need for leadership at all levels. She commended the Indian government’s initiatives under the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement, which promotes responsible consumption and sustainable practices. She also stressed the importance of engaging youth in climate conversations. When asked about her vision for sustainability, she expressed her dream of eliminating single-use plastics and creating a fully circular economy.
Thomas Kerr, Lead Climate Change Specialist at the World Bank, moderated a plenary session on private sector perspectives on India’s carbon market. He highlighted the impact of global carbon pricing policies on Indian industries and emphasized that businesses must adapt to these changes. He pointed out that the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) would directly affect Indian exports, particularly in industries such as steel and aluminium. He urged India to take proactive steps in developing its carbon market and stated that international collaboration would be crucial for success.
Former Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa delivered a keynote address on governance, transparency, and accountability in climate finance and carbon markets. He discussed the complexities of global carbon markets and the challenges India faces in building a strong regulatory framework. He stressed the need for fair benefit distribution, strong monitoring systems, and policies tailored to India’s specific economic and environmental conditions.
The second day of the conference featured in-depth discussions led by senior government officials and industry experts. Thematic sessions focused on incentivizing renewable energy developers through carbon markets, developments under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, price transparency in the global carbon marketplace, and the role of ecosystem-based interventions in achieving net-zero goals. Other sessions covered climate tech startups and financing clean technology deployment.
The event saw active participation from key Indian ministries, including the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Agriculture. Representatives from financial institutions, corporations, public sector undertakings, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations also took part. Over 80 experts and 600 delegates engaged in discussions on policy frameworks, carbon finance, and the latest developments in climate technologies.
Prakriti 2025 distinguished itself as one of the most significant carbon market conferences, fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration. The discussions and insights shared during the event are expected to shape India’s approach to carbon trading, sustainable finance, and climate policy. Moving forward, Prakriti 2025 will build on this momentum to drive further progress in India’s national climate agenda and its contribution to the global effort to combat climate change.
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