Bengaluru, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant emphasized the importance of environmentally responsible development and stressed that India's growth must be aligned with ecological sustainability and the principles of energy justice.
He said that the country must balance its pursuit of development with a greener future, and that energy justice is the moral architecture that allows a rising nation to grow without compromising citizens' rights to clean air, water, and a livable future.
The CJI highlighted the constitutional basis for this balance, citing Article 21, and stressed that development and environmental protection must proceed together.
He also outlined four pillars of energy justice: affordability, accessibility, equity, and inclusiveness, emphasizing that clean energy must not become a privilege for the few and that communities must be active participants in policy-making.
The CJI called for legislative decision-making to address gaps in the regulatory ecosystem, including underutilized mechanisms such as renewable purchase obligations and green tariffs.
