New Delhi

Environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource depletion require integrated and collaborative solutions, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Tuesday.

He said that stronger cooperation is needed to build climate-resilient, resource-efficient and sustainable development pathways.

The minister made these comments while addressing the opening session of the fourth Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEF), the highest-level bilateral forum between India and Germany on environmental policy.

"Environmental sustainability can no longer be addressed in isolation, and emphasises the need for cooperation in building a climate-resilient future," Yadav said.

He added that India's development experience has demonstrated that environmental ambition and economic development need not be competing objectives.

India has been consistently achieving its commitments under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ahead of schedule, reflecting the scale at which environmental transformation is taking place in the country, according to the minister.

Yadav also noted that the next phase of industry transition must address the complex challenge of decarbonising energy-intensive sectors such as steel, cement and chemicals.

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"This transition would require innovation, cleaner energy, resource efficiency, appropriate policy frameworks and new production processes," he said.