Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India’s per capita carbon emissions remain less than half the global average. He also said developing countries have often been wrongly held responsible for carbon emissions.

Speaking at the International Conference on “The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics”, Modi highlighted India’s environmental progress over the past 12 years. He said the country had fulfilled its commitments under the Paris climate agreement ahead of schedule.

“Often, the responsibility for carbon emissions has been wrongly placed on developing countries. While the historical truth is this... even today, India's contribution to per capita carbon emissions is less than half of the global average,” Modi said.

An analysis by PRS Legislative Research, based on 2024 data, showed that India’s per capita CO₂ emissions stood at about 2.1 tonnes. The figure was 13.4 tonnes in the US, 8.9 tonnes in China and 5.4 tonnes in the European Union. India accounted for around 8% of global CO₂ emissions in 2024.

The Prime Minister said India had made major progress across environmental sectors, with renewable energy remaining a key focus. He said the growth of renewable energy had played an important role in environmental protection.

“Over the past 12 years, in every field related to the environment, in every sector... India has made extraordinary progress. Our major focus has been on renewable energy, and this has played a significant role in environmental protection,” PM Modi said.

Modi also said India was the only G20 country to fulfil its commitments made at the COP-21 Summit in Paris ahead of schedule.

“India is the only country in the G-20 that has demonstrated fulfilment of the commitments made at the COP-21 Summit in Paris ahead of schedule,” he said.

On nuclear energy, Modi said efforts to expand generation could face legal challenges from environmental groups. “When I take forward work on nuclear energy generation, people who give long lectures on environment will move court to stop it,” PM Modi said.

“For centuries, India has, in a sense, guided the world on matters concerning nature and the environment. Drawing upon that ideological commitment and its own cultural experiences, India is offering solutions to modern climate challenges while simultaneously calling for collective global action. I am pleased that this NGT conference is advancing that very mission,” he said.

Modi also launched the NGT Mobile App at the conference.

The conference has brought together environmental experts, Supreme Court and High Court judges, senior government officials and judicial representatives from 17 countries. The discussions focus on climate change and resilience, the circular economy, biodiversity and ecosystem services, and sustainable energy solutions.

The event also aims to examine gaps in environmental policy formulation, implementation and enforcement. It seeks to strengthen cooperation between environmental and judicial institutions.

The inaugural session was attended by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Attorney General R Venkataramani and NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, among other dignitaries.

The conference will continue on Sunday with discussions on a roadmap to address current and future environmental and climate challenges. President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to attend the valedictory session.