On September 16, various union government departments and agencies published several news releases linked to the environment, climate change, public health, and related social sectors that are important for the country’s present and future. The Plurals has collated the key information for you.
India reaffirms its commitment to ozone layer protection and climate action
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change today organised the national celebration of the 32nd World Ozone Day in Mumbai, with the theme ‘Global Action for a Cooler Planet.’
The event was presided over by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (EFCC), Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, along with Maharashtra State Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Smt. Pankaja Munde.
The event was also graced by the presence of Secretary (EFCC), Shri Tanmay Kumar; Ms. Angela Lusigi, Country Head (UNDP); Ms. Ulrike Ebeling, Country Director and Head (GIZ India), besides senior officials from Governments of India and Maharashtra, besides representatives of international organisations, industry representatives, academic experts and school children to highlight India’s efforts towards protection of the ozone layer and a cooler and more sustainable planet.
Detailed report link:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2310817®=48&lang=1
India’s ‘Net Zero Portal’ and ‘NAPCC Dashboard’ launched
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, today launched India’s Net Zero Portal and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) Dashboard on the occasion of World Ozone Day 2026 in Mumbai. The two digital initiatives mark an important step towards strengthening transparency, coordination and evidence-based climate action. The Net Zero Portal provides a national platform for voluntary Net Zero commitments by entities, while the NAPCC Dashboard enables consolidated monitoring of progress across the National Missions on climate change.
Detailed report link:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2310737®=48&lang=1
Next World Circular Economy Forum to be held at Columbia University, US
The World Circular Economy Forum 2026 (WCEF2026) concluded today at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, after two days of intense discussions spanning the full spectrum of Circular Economy. The Forum brought together around 2,700 Delegates and 260 Speakers from over 60 countries, including governments, international organizations, industry, start-ups, academia and civil society.
In his special address, Shri Pravinbhai Mali congratulated the participants for holding wide ranging meaningful deliberations during the last two days of the Forum. He stated that the true impact of the event lies in the collaborations on the ground for Circular Solutions and stressed on the need to move forward together from commitment to action. The Minister highlighted that the circular economy is not merely an environmental agenda but an economic opportunity, a societal responsibility, a daily lifestyle, and a pathway to secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
The closing ceremony concluded with Mr. Kristo Lehtonen, Director, International Programmes (SITRA) handing over the baton for organizing the WCEF 2027 to Columbia University, United States of America.
Detailed report link:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2311052®=48&lang=1
NITI Aayog’s ‘India Electric Mobility Index’ released
Shri Rajiv Gauba, in his address at the NITI Aayog Workshop on State EV Policies, where the second edition of the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) report was launched, highlighted that the global transition to electric mobility is well underway.
In 2025, he noted, electric cars accounted for around one-tenth of new car sales in the US, more than a quarter in the EU, and over half in China and that these shares are expected to rise significantly across the world in the years ahead. He pointed to the recent West Asia crisis, noting that it could become a major inflection point for electric mobility, much as the oil crises of the 1970s accelerated the global push towards greater fuel efficiency.
Describing the shift as “an economic, environmental, and strategic imperative” for the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, he highlighted India’s dependence on imports for nearly 89% of its crude oil requirements, a dependence that is likely to increase as car ownership rises from current levels if EVs are not adopted more widely. He noted that the automotive sector contributes around 7.1% of GDP and supports nearly 1.9 crore jobs, underscoring the importance of keeping the sector aligned with the global transition to electric vehicles. He also highlighted the significant public health costs of vehicular emissions in cities such as Delhi, making the transition to cleaner mobility an urgent priority
Detailed report link:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2310804®=48&lang=1