India, Germany Deepen Green Ties at 4th Environment Forum
India and Germany held the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum, signing a wetland conservation pact and discussing circular economy and climate resilience.
New Delhi: The 4th Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEF) opened in the capital with Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, and German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider co-chairing the session. The forum, themed 'Together For More Resilience', serves as the highest-level bilateral platform for environmental policy between the two nations, a dialogue that has been ongoing since 2008.
Minister Yadav stressed that environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution require integrated solutions. He noted that India's development experience shows environmental ambition and economic growth can go hand in hand, pointing to the country's track record of meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of schedule.
Highlighting the economic potential of sustainability, Yadav cited estimates that India's circular economy could generate a market value exceeding USD 2 trillion and create nearly 10 million jobs by 2050. He also called for a focus on decarbonising energy-intensive sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals, which will require innovation and new policy frameworks.
Minister Schneider praised India's rapid expansion of renewable energy, calling the country a role model for other regions. He noted the solid foundation of bilateral ties as both nations mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, and expressed Germany's keenness to deepen the strategic partnership on climate adaptation and wetland protection.
On the sidelines, the two ministers signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands of International Importance. This pact aims to strengthen scientific understanding, share management practices, and enhance community participation in wetland restoration.
The forum also included an Indo-German Business Forum session, where collaboration potential in green hydrogen, energy storage, and sustainable manufacturing was discussed. Thematic sessions covered low-carbon industries, biodiversity, resource efficiency, and sustainable finance, bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, and experts from both countries.