India and Germany will hold the fourth India-German Environment Forum in New Delhi on September 1, 2026, with the two countries set to discuss environmental protection, climate policy and opportunities for deeper cooperation in sustainable development.

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav and German Federal Minister for Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Carsten Schneider will co-chair the forum. The theme of the fourth edition is “Together for Greater Resilience.”

The forum is the highest-level bilateral platform between India and Germany for discussions on environmental policy. It has been organised since 2008 and provides an avenue for policymakers, businesses, experts and other stakeholders from both countries to exchange views and identify areas for practical cooperation.

Focus on environmental and climate cooperation

The September 1 meeting will examine key issues related to environmental protection and climate policy, with an emphasis on strengthening bilateral cooperation and sharing experiences between India and Germany.

The discussions will be organised through thematic sessions covering several areas of mutual interest. These include low-carbon industries, biodiversity in wetlands, mountains and forest landscapes, resource efficiency and the circular economy, as well as sustainable finance, green skills and mobilisation of investment.

The sessions are expected to examine challenges as well as potential solutions and opportunities in these sectors.

Policymakers and industry to participate

The forum will bring together representatives from government ministries, businesses, expert groups, non-governmental organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

The multi-stakeholder format is intended to facilitate dialogue between policymakers and the private sector while creating opportunities to identify practical approaches for advancing environmental and climate cooperation.

India and Germany have been expanding their engagement in areas related to sustainable technologies, resource efficiency and the transition towards a greener economy.

Three joint working groups meet ahead of forum

Ahead of the fourth Environment Forum, three joint working groups covering climate change, biodiversity and the circular economy have held meetings during the year.

The groups reviewed progress made so far and discussed areas of mutual interest. Their work is expected to feed into the broader discussions at the bilateral forum.

The working groups provide a more focused mechanism for cooperation between the two countries on specific environmental themes, while the Environment Forum serves as a wider platform bringing together government, industry and other stakeholders.

Green economy cooperation gains importance

The forum comes against the backdrop of growing economic and industrial relations between India and Germany and increasing opportunities for cooperation in sustainable technologies and the green economy.

Both countries have been working to expand collaboration in areas where economic development and environmental sustainability intersect. Discussions on low-carbon industries, circular economy models, green financing and skills are therefore expected to be important components of the September 1 meeting.

India-Germany platform since 2008

The India-German Environment Forum has served as the top bilateral platform for environmental policy dialogue between the two countries since 2008.

The fourth edition is being jointly organised by India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Germany's Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, in cooperation with the German Asia-Pacific Business Association and Indian industry associations.

The September 1 meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to review ongoing cooperation, exchange policy experiences and explore practical areas for further collaboration on climate change, biodiversity, resource efficiency and sustainable finance.