New Delhi: As the city continues to grapple with pollution, Delhi govt is planning to present a green budget for 2026-27 to better integrate its environmental priorities with development. The proposed budget may include detailed plans to ensure that a significant portion of govt spending and development programmes is directed towards environmental protection and sustainability.“Globally, several countries have adopted green or climate budgeting practices to align fiscal policy with environmental goals. In India, too, a few states have also begun taking similar steps,” said an official. “Delhi is studying these models to explore how a similar system could be adapted here. Key focus areas are expected to include pollution control, clean energy expansion, water conservation, biodiversity protection and other sustainable development initiatives,” he added. Officials said the green budget would help govt systematically identify and track spending on environment-related programmes. “By making allocations for green initiatives and monitoring such allocations, govt would be able to assess the effectiveness of its policies and ensure that public funds are used efficiently to address environmental challenges,” said an official. The move comes at a time when Delhi is facing growing concerns over air pollution and govt believes that making environmental protection a central component of budget planning could help the city pursue economic growth and development while balancing environmental priorities. According to sources, the green budget is also expected to support the expansion of clean technologies and environmentally responsible infrastructure. Increased investments may be directed towards sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility, waste management, water conservation and green infrastructure. Officials believe such investments could also generate new economic opportunities. “It can stimulate innovation and create jobs in emerging sectors such as clean energy and sustainable urban services,” said the official.Delhi govt has initiated several measures in recent years to address environmental challenges, including promoting cleaner transportation through the electric vehicle policy, expanding solar energy capacity, encouraging rooftop solar installations, increasing green cover and strengthening waste management systems. Efforts were also made to promote water conservation and improve the management of natural resources in the city. “Consultations are underway with environmental experts, policymakers and govt departments to examine how the green budget framework could be implemented effectively. The aim is to ensure that future development projects incorporate environmental safeguards while also supporting economic growth,” said the official. “It could be a significant step towards making Delhi a cleaner and more sustainable city.“The budget session of Delhi Assembly is likely to begin on Monday, during which chief minister Rekha Gupta is expected to present the 2026-27 budget. However, the exact date for tabling the budget is not yet finalised. While the 2025-26 budget had an outlay of around Rs 1 lakh crore, officials said the total outlay for the 2026-27 budget was expected to rise beyond it.
