Lifestyle Change is the Biggest Climate Challenge: Says Delhi Environment Manjinder Singh Sirsa

At the Innovation for Resilience Summit, a flagship initiative of Delhi Climate Innovation Week (DCIW) 2026, Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Minister for Industries, Food & Supplies, Environment, Forest & Wildlife, Government of NCT of Delhi, delivered the chief guest address, calling on citizens to make sustainability a way of life.

“In Delhi, we are generating 11,000 metric tons of municipal waste per day. Apart from this, we are clearing almost 30,000 to 35,000 of legacy waste from dump sites, waste that has accumulated over the last years and decades. While we are processing it to make fuel, it is putting an extra burden on our roads and environment. These are some challenges. As citizens of India and especially Delhi, each one of us should contribute towards the environment.

Under the dynamic leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister, the country has taken various steps in the field of environment and climate change. The targets given by the Government of India — it is the first time in history that we were able to achieve them very much before the committed time.

Today, the biggest challenge before us is lifestyle. The changing of lifestyles in modern days has given a great impact on the environment — whether it’s air quality, water quality or climate change. Though this is the biggest challenge, I can say with conviction that when people like you are sitting here, discussing this important issue, getting time out of your everyday jobs, providing inputs and innovations — I can assure that there will be a drastic change in coming days.

I am glad that Delhi is seeing a climate week with DCIW. New things will come out of innovation, which will be beneficial for our environment and climate change. But I would like to request you — make it a part of your lifestyle. Plant as many trees as possible. Use less water. If someone gives you a plastic bag, refuse it. You will feel the power of this. You will feel how responsible you are. This responsibility should be taken on your shoulders.

Climate change is not a disease from outside, nor will anyone from outside cure it. No matter how much we preach, it will not make a difference. It will make a difference when the people sitting in this room make up their minds that climate change is happening because of us. When 130 crore people of India contribute — even a little — there will be a big change.”

— Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Minister for Industries, Food & Supplies, Environment, Forest & Wildlife, Govt. of NCT of Delhi