India Marks 32nd World Ozone Day, Launches Net Zero Portal

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change held the national observance of World Ozone Day on 16 September 2026. This was the 32nd edition of the celebration. The venue was Mumbai. The theme chosen was Global Action for a Cooler Planet.

Who led the event

Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh presided over the function. Maharashtra's Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde joined him. Secretary Tanmay Kumar was also present. Angela Lusigi, Country Head of the United Nations Development Programme, attended. So did Ulrike Ebeling, Country Director of GIZ India.

Two digital platforms launched

The dignitaries launched India's Net Zero Portal at the event. They also launched the NAPCC Dashboard, built around the National Action Plan on Climate Change. The Net Zero Portal is a central place where Indian entities can register net zero pledges voluntarily. Entities may disclose greenhouse gas emissions and declare targets there. Reporting of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions is encouraged, while Scope 3 reporting stays voluntary. The NAPCC Dashboard gives a single view of progress across the national climate missions.

Training technicians for safer cooling

A skilling announcement was made the same day. Twelve refrigeration and air-conditioning manufacturers have adopted 248 Industrial Training Institutes. This runs through a four-party memorandum of agreement. The parties are the manufacturers, the Ozone Cell, the Regional Directorate of the Directorate General of Training and the State Directorate. The aim is to match classroom teaching with industry standards. GIZ said India and Germany are supporting the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan Stage III, which runs from 2025 to 2030.

What the ministers said

Kirti Vardhan Singh said India has met its Montreal Protocol commitments without sacrificing development. He urged citizens to service air-conditioners through certified technicians and to set them near 24 degrees Celsius. Pankaja Munde said Maharashtra is working towards a developed India by 2047 through decarbonisation and sustainable growth.

The day at a glance