Green Credit Programme and Ecomark Scheme

February 13, 2025

The Green Credit Programme (GCP) and the Ecomark Scheme are two initiatives launched by the Government of India in October 2023. These programmes aim to promote environmental sustainability and encourage eco-friendly practices among individuals, communities, and businesses. The GCP incentivises voluntary environmental actions, while the Ecomark Scheme focuses on promoting eco-friendly products.

Current Status of GCP:

17 states have allocated 57,700 hectares of degraded forest land for tree plantations.
Madhya Pradesh leads with 15,200 hectares, followed by:
- Andhra Pradesh (11,361 ha)
- Gujarat (6,760 ha)
- Jharkhand (5,648 ha)
- Tamil Nadu (4,708 ha)
- Bihar (4,108 ha)

Green Credit Programme

The GCP is a market-based mechanism designed to reward voluntary environmental actions.
It allows individuals and private entities to undertake tree plantation and other eco-restoration activities on degraded land.
Participants can earn Green Credits, which can be traded or used to meet compliance requirements for compensatory afforestation.
The programme is administered by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and supported by an inter-ministerial Steering Committee.

Objectives of the Green Credit Programme

The primary objectives of the GCP include promoting afforestation and water conservation.
It encourages diverse stakeholders, including private sector industries, to engage in environmental actions.
The programme aims to restore degraded forest land while facilitating the exchange of Green Credits through a user-friendly digital platform.

About Ecomark Scheme

The Ecomark Scheme aims to promote eco-friendly products by providing accreditation and labelling. It replaces the previous Ecomark notification and ensures that products meet specific environmental criteria. The scheme is administered by the Central Pollution Control Board in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Objectives of the Ecomark Scheme

The Ecomark Scheme encourages consumers to make informed choices by denoting products with minimal environmental impact.
It aims to build awareness of environmental issues and motivate manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly production practices.
Accurate labelling is a key focus to prevent misleading information about products.

Impact on Sustainability Practices

Both the GCP and Ecomark Scheme reflect India’s commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. They align with global sustainability goals and promote eco-conscious behaviours among individuals and businesses. The initiatives are expected to encourage a culture of environmental responsibility in India.

« Previous Post Next Post »