New Delhi, Mar 17: Carbon Markets Association of India inaugurated its flagship summit, India Climate Week 2026 – Gateway to Net Zero, at Bharat Mandapam, convening policymakers, global climate experts, industry leaders, and sustainability practitioners to accelerate India’s transition toward a low-carbon future.
The two-day summit, held from March 16–17, aims to foster dialogue on carbon markets, climate finance, global collaborations, and policy frameworks to support India and emerging economies in achieving net-zero targets.
National Carbon Market Portal Announcement
A key highlight of the summit was the announcement by Saurabh Diddi, Director of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), regarding the launch of the Indian Carbon Markets Portal, scheduled for March 21, 2026. The portal is expected to play a pivotal role in operationalizing India’s compliance carbon market and strengthening transparency and participation.
Leadership Insights on Climate Action
The inaugural session was graced by Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest and Wildlife, Government of NCT of Delhi. He highlighted the government’s ongoing initiatives to enhance environmental governance, improve air quality, and promote sustainable practices across sectors.
Manish Dabkara, President of CMAI and MD & CEO of EKI Energy Services Ltd., said:
“The global transition toward net zero cannot happen without strong carbon market ecosystems. India has immense potential to lead climate action through innovative market-based mechanisms and international collaboration.”
Rohit Kumar, Secretary General of CMAI, added:
“India stands at a critical juncture in its climate journey. Platforms like CMAI are essential for building collaborations, creating awareness, and aligning Indian industries with global climate frameworks.”
Key Sessions and Discussions
The summit featured high-level discussions on global climate architecture and the role of carbon markets in enabling large-scale mitigation:
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Global Collaborations under the Paris Agreement – Emphasizing international cooperation, technology transfer, and sustainable finance aligned with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
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Role of Article 6 in Net Zero Transition (in partnership with London School of Economics) – Highlighting opportunities for cross-border carbon markets and climate finance mobilization.
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India’s Compliance Carbon Market – Led by BEE experts, detailing regulatory frameworks, monitoring systems, and sectoral participation.
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Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs) – Exploring how high-integrity standards and transparent methodologies can unlock private climate finance across sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, forestry, and waste management.
Driving India’s Net Zero Vision
Discussions throughout the summit reinforced the importance of credible carbon markets, policy alignment, private sector participation, and global partnerships in accelerating India’s low-carbon transition.
The event will continue on March 17 with further deliberations involving global institutions, financial stakeholders, and policymakers to identify actionable pathways for scaling climate action and strengthening India’s position in the global carbon market landscape.
