Overview: On the valedictory day of the Silver Jubilee edition of WSDS 2026, MoEFCC Secretary Shri Tanmay Kumar outlined India’s integrated, low‑carbon development model. Key Developments India aims for a 45 % reduction in emission intensity of GDP by 2030 and has already achieved the revised target of 50 % non‑fossil electricity capacity (June 2025) . Launch of major reforms: Green Credit Programme , Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Rules, 2025 , Environment Audit Rules, 2025 , and PARIVESH 2.0 . Commitment to inter‑generational equity: India will not "solve yesterday’s poverty by creating tomorrow’s ecological crisis" and will pursue a development path that safeguards dignity and sustainability. Conservation milestones: India ranks **9th globally in forest area** and **3rd in net forest gain** (FAO report); addition of **11 new Ramsar sites in 2025**, taking the total to **98** – the highest in Asia. Important Facts • India houses **17 % of the world’s population** but its per‑capita CO₂ emissions are about **2 tonnes per year**, far below the global average. • Historically, developed nations contributed **≈50 % of global CO₂ emissions (1850‑2019)**, whereas India’s share remains negligible. • The first Global Stocktake demands a **43 % reduction in global emissions by 2030**, a target India is aligning with through its NDC revisions. UPSC Relevance Understanding India’s climate strategy is crucial for GS III (Environment & Ecology) and GS IV (Governance). The article illustrates: How **policy instruments** (e.g., Green Credit Programme, PARIVESH 2.0) translate international commitments into domestic action. The **equity argument** – balancing poverty eradication with climate mitigation – a recurring theme in essay and interview questions. India’s **forest and wetland conservation metrics**, useful for data‑driven answers on biodiversity and sustainable development. The role of **Mission LiFE** (lifestyle‑based climate action) in promoting behavioural change, relevant for ethics and governance discussions. Way Forward Shri Kumar emphasized that India’s pathway diverges from the “coal‑first” model of the West. Future steps include: Scaling up **solar and wind** to meet the remaining renewable capacity gap. Strengthening **circular economy** initiatives to reduce material intensity. Continuing **forest and wetland restoration** to enhance carbon sinks. Finalising revised **Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)** to reflect higher ambition ahead of the next Global Stocktake. These measures aim to achieve a **‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047**, a developed India that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.