Clean Air, Energy and Transport Are State Government Priorities – Environment Minister Pankaja Munde

Announcement of the Earthshot Prize programme in the presence of Environment Minister Pankaja Munde

Mumbai, Feb 2026 : The state government is giving top priority to clean air, clean energy and clean transport systems, said Environment and Climate Change Department Minister Pankaja Munde.

She was speaking as the chief guest at the Earthshot Prize initiative organised during Mumbai Climate Week. Also present on the occasion were Jason Knauf, Chief Executive Officer of the Earthshot Prize, and Jayshree Bhoj, Secretary of the Environment and Climate Change Department, among others.

On this occasion, an official announcement was made that the globally renowned The Earthshot Prize awards ceremony will be hosted in Mumbai in November 2026.

Expressing her happiness that the Earthshot Prize initiative is being held in India for the first time, Minister Munde thanked all the participants and organisers for bringing the prestigious event to the country.

Minister Munde said that the Earthshot initiative prioritises five key goals: clean air, a waste-free world, nature conservation, revival of marine ecosystems, and climate action. She noted that focusing on clean water, clean air and clean soil while working in any field naturally helps protect the environment.

Emphasising that development also comes with responsibility, she said that industrial and technological progress must move forward only after seriously considering its impact on the environment. In the context of climate change, she expressed confidence that actions initiated at the local level can have a positive global impact.

India has demonstrated to the world that environmental conservation can drive economic growth, she said. Scientific methods of waste management, the circular economy, and waste-to-energy generation are being promoted, with active participation from local self-governing bodies. These efforts, she added, will help achieve energy self-reliance.

She further underlined the importance of conserving nature, forest resources and biodiversity. Given Maharashtra’s extensive coastline, priority is being given to coastal and marine environmental conservation, with efforts underway to address climate change through nature-based solutions.

Expressing the hope that environmental conservation takes root at the local level and grows into a global movement, Minister Munde stressed the creation of strong platforms for guidance, technical cooperation and investment. She said the initiative would encourage credible and practically implementable solutions.

Jason Knauf said that just as humanity once achieved the bold goal of landing on the moon, it is now time to set equally ambitious goals to save the Earth. He noted that India has demonstrated its global leadership by producing the highest number of winners in the Earthshot Prize initiative.

On this occasion, an interview was conducted with a finalist from the competition.