Aaditya Thackeray calls for Climate Change Council on lines of GST Council

In a post on X, the former Maharashtra environment minister also accused the central government of “greenwashing” and presenting a picture that “differs from reality without maintaining transparency in its statistics”

Mumbai: At a time when the air quality in major Indian cities like New Delhi and Mumbai is in a critical state, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has recommended the formation of Climate Change Councils at the central and state levels, on the lines of the GST Council, to ensure coordinated action and regular monitoring of the country’s climate commitments.

In a post on X, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also accused the central government of “greenwashing” and presenting a picture that “differs from reality without maintaining transparency in its statistics”. (Hindustan Times)

In a post on X, the former Maharashtra environment minister also accused the central government of “greenwashing” and presenting a picture that “differs from reality without maintaining transparency in its statistics”.

Thackeray called for the formation of a central Climate Change Council chaired by the prime minister and comprising the environment ministers of all states, who “should meet every three months to review actual data, targets and progress”.

“Central ministers responsible for these subjects, as well as representatives of key departments such as urban development, rural development, energy, agriculture, industry and roads, should be included as needed,” he wrote.

Apart from a central council, the 36-year-old said the chief ministers of all states should chair the state Climate Change Councils, and “all relevant departments should be included to provide up-to-date information on the climate action plan”.

Referring to the ongoing COP31 climate conference in Turkiye and upcoming environmental events in Mumbai, including the Earthshot Prize and Mumbai Climate Week, Thackeray questioned the country’s commitment to international climate agreements.

“The question is: where exactly does the current government in our country stand on the promises it has made on international platforms and the global agreements it has signed?” he wrote.

“Let alone the manipulation of statistics and ‘greenwashing’ or ignored international agreements; where exactly does this government stand when it comes to providing basic amenities to its own citizens?” he added.

While raising concerns over deteriorating environmental conditions, Thackeray pointed out that several Indian cities registered among the world’s most polluted cities and alleged that a lack of data integrity was affecting India’s position on international climate indices.

“Citizens complain, but most politicians do not understand their suffering. As a result, citizens have to protest, travel from place to place, and some even have to leave their cities or countries to secure the most basic necessities, such as clean air, clean water and pure food,” he wrote.

Thackeray also highlighted the additional financial burden on citizens, who have to “spend their own money on air purifiers, water purifiers and sources of pure food” despite paying direct and indirect taxes. He claimed that environmental degradation was also prompting some companies and organisations to leave the country, resulting in large-scale job losses.

“India needs to take climate change measures seriously. Given our population, demographic dividend, economic opportunities and needs, the climate action we take in time at this juncture could become a major opportunity. However, if this opportunity is missed, it could pose a very serious risk to social, political, economic and national security,” he wrote.