Did Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Approve a New Carbon Credit Monetization Framework?
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New Delhi, Jan 13 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, has greenlit a revolutionary Carbon Credit Monetisation Framework, which is expected to create tradable carbon credits and generate funds for environmental conservation, as stated by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday.
He mentioned that the cabinet led by the CM of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has sanctioned the implementation of this framework through the Department of Environment, Forests and Wildlife.
Efforts are currently underway to convert the city’s green initiatives into revenue-generating assets aimed at pollution control and sustainability, he added.
This initiative marks a significant advancement in the Delhi government's dedication to sustainable development and aligns with India’s net-zero goals.
By following successful precedents from places like Indore (Rs 50 lakh from 1.70 lakh tonnes CO2), Meghalaya (EUR 40 per tonne for farmers), and Arunachal Pradesh (16,326 tonnes from hydro projects), Delhi aims to take a leading role in carbon markets, he noted.
Each verified reduction of one metric tonne of CO2 equivalent resulting from Delhi’s climate initiatives will produce a tradable carbon credit, which can be sold in both voluntary and compliance markets globally, he explained.
This no-financial-liability model capitalizes on existing green initiatives across various departments, including Transport (electric vehicle policy and CNG/electric buses), Power (solarization and energy efficiency), Forests (tree planting and green cover), Delhi Jal Board (water reuse and wastewater efficiency), and Urban Development (waste management and legacy waste biomining), to unlock previously untapped economic value while advancing environmental objectives.
Sirsa highlighted its strategic significance: “Delhi is already leading extensive green transformations, from EV charging networks to cleaning the Yamuna and converting landfill waste into biogas. This framework enables us to quantify our achievements, certify them under global standards such as VERRA, Gold Standard, and the Indian Carbon Market, and monetize them in a transparent manner. The revenue generated will support further pollution control and climate mitigation efforts, positioning Delhi as a benchmark for urban sustainability.”