Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal spoke at the Berlin Global Dialogue on 22 October 2026. He responded to European concerns about climate change. Goyal said India supports about 17% of the world’s people but has contributed less than 3–4% of total carbon dioxide emissions since the industrial era. Europe, with roughly 3% of the world’s population, has contributed around 18%. He also noted that India’s current emissions per person remain much lower than Europe’s. Goyal argued that developed countries caused most of the problem and that new EU rules on carbon and deforestation could raise costs and hurt Europe’s own industries.
• Who: Piyush Goyal, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister.
• What: He highlighted India’s low historical and per-person CO₂ contribution compared to Europe’s much higher share, while pushing back on climate criticism and criticising EU green rules such as the carbon border tax (CBAM).
• When: 22 October 2026.
• Where: Berlin Global Dialogue panel discussion in Berlin, Germany.
• Why: To argue for equity based on historical responsibility and per-capita fairness, and to counter EU regulations that he said could raise costs and act as barriers for countries like India.