Procedure for Obtaining Green Credits

Anamika Rathore

Anamika Rathore

Published on: Apr 11, 2026

Shatakshi Sharma

Updated on: Apr 11, 2026

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Introduction

The Green Credit Rules, 2023, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, establish a market-based mechanism to incentivise environmental actions such as afforestation, water conservation, and waste management by issuing tradeable credits.

Objectives of the Green Credit Programme

1. The green credit programme shall incentivise environmentally positive actions through a market-based mechanism and generate green credit, which shall be tradable and made available for trading on a domestic market platform.
2. The green credit will arise from taking measures by a person of any environmental activities referred to in Rule 4(2)(Green Credit programme).
3. The green credit programme shall encourage industries, companies and other entities to meet their existing obligations or other obligations under any law for the time being in force, and encourage other persons and entities to undertake voluntary environmental measures referred to in Rule 4(Green Credit programme) by generating or buying green credit

Applicable Provisions

• Section 3, 6, 25 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Rule 4, 6 of Green Credit Rules, 2023

Procedure

1. Applicant (individual/entity) shall identify the eligible activity
   • Select activity listed under the Green Credit Rules (e.g., tree plantation, water conservation, waste management)
   • Ensure the activity has measurable environmental benefits
2. Initial planning and preparation
   • Arrange required resources (land, funds, manpower, technology)
   • Ensure compliance with environmental laws
3. Visit Green Credit Portal
   • Access Green Credit Portal
   • Create user account (if new user)
4. Fill out the online application form with details
   • Details of Applicant: name, organisation, contact information
   • Details of Activity: type, objectives, methodology
   • Location geographical area, coordinates (if required)
   • Scale and size of the project
5. Upload necessary documents
   • Identity and registration proof (for entity)
   • Project proposal/report
   • Land ownership/permission documents (if applicable)
   • Environmental clearances (if required)
   • Photographic or baseline evidence
6. Self-declaration
   • Declare that the information provided is true and accurate
   • Confirm that adherence is given to prescribed guidelines
7. Submit application electronically
   • Review all entered details carefully
   • Submit the application through the portal
8. Acknowledgement and application ID generation
   • System generates a unique Application ID.
   • Applicant shall receive confirmation via email/SMS.
9. Grant of Green Credit Certificate
   • Upon successful verification, the Administrator issues a Green Credit Certificate to the applicant.
10. Registration in Green Credit Registry
    • The Green Credits issued, are recorded in the official registry.

Validity and Renewal

The Green Credit Rules, 2023, do not authorise any specific validity or renewal period for Green Credits.

• Green Credits are generated per verified activity and may be traded as per applicable guidelines.
• Additional credits require undertaking new eligible activities.