India launches carbon market portal as 490 industries brace for emissions trading

INDIA – India has launched the Indian Carbon Market Portal at the Prakriti 2026 conference, paving the way for formal carbon credit trading to begin within four months while notifying emission intensity targets for 490 obligated entities across seven energy-intensive sectors.

The flagship event, organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, brought together national and international experts to deliberate on unlocking carbon finance through digital pathways.

The newly launched portal (www.indiancarbonmarket.gov.in) will serve as the central platform for implementing and administering the Indian Carbon Market, facilitating registration, verification, and trading processes.

By the Numbers: India’s Carbon Market Framework

Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal revealed the government has already established a transparent Carbon Credit Trading Scheme with nine notified methodologies.

More than 40 registered entities have submitted projects spanning biogas, green hydrogen, and forestry sectors.

On the compliance side, greenhouse gas emission intensity targets have been notified for nearly 490 obligated entities across seven energy-intensive sectors: aluminum, cement, chlor-alkali, petrochemicals, petroleum refineries, pulp and paper, and textiles.

Minister Lal emphasized that India has demonstrated that climate responsibility and economic development can go hand in hand.

Through initiatives such as the CCTS, renewable energy expansion, and energy efficiency programmes, India is building a transparent and credible carbon market framework that will serve as a long-term national asset.

Digital Infrastructure and Market Mechanisms

The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme operates through two distinct mechanisms.

Under the Compliance Mechanism, emission-intensive industries designated as obligated entities must meet assigned greenhouse gas emission intensity targets.

Entities that outperform their targets become eligible for Carbon Credit Certificates, which will be tradable through power exchanges.

The Offset Mechanism allows non-obligated entities, including renewable energy producers, to voluntarily register approved mitigation activities for the purpose of seeking issuance of Carbon Credit Certificates.

Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik underscored three essential pillars for robust carbon markets: credibility through digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification systems, capital to channel trillions into clean technologies, and collaboration via Paris Agreement Article 6.

Strategic Implications for Business

Minister Lal urged businesses to view carbon markets not merely as a compliance requirement but as a strategic opportunity for innovation, investment, sustainable growth, and entrepreneurship.

The framework is designed to create a structured market for carbon credits while ensuring transparency and credibility in emissions accounting.

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