SILF Climate Change Conference & Awards 2025 Honours Exemplary Contributions To Sustainability
The Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) today hosted the prestigious SILF Climate Change Conference and Awards 2025, highlighting the pivotal role of India’s judiciary in safeguarding the environment and promoting sustainability. The conference was graced by Chief Guest Justice Sanjay Karol, Judge, Supreme Court of India, and Guest of Honour Justice Jasmeet Singh, Judge, Delhi High Court. A significant highlight was the presentation of the distinguished SILF Sustainability Award 2025 to Justice Abhay S Oka, former Judge of the Supreme Court, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to environmental law and sustainability.
Justice Abhay S Oka, recipient of the SILF Sustainability Award 2025 speaking at the event said, “Environmental justice has been elevated to a higher pedestal by our constitutional courts, and it cannot be separated from social and economic justice. Pollution and environmental degradation directly impact the most vulnerable, affecting the dignity and basic rights guaranteed under Article 21 of our Constitution. The right to a pollution-free environment isn’t merely about clean air or water—it’s fundamentally about human dignity, social equity, and the quality of life, especially for those who cannot afford mitigation measures like air purifiers.”
He further added, “While India has robust judicial precedents to safeguard our environment, the challenge remains in translating these principles into action. Those who champion environmental causes often face societal resistance and insufficient recognition, yet their tireless advocacy benefits everyone. On World Environment Day, we must recognize and honour these unsung heroes and transform discussions into tangible actions, ensuring that environmental protection becomes a genuine collective commitment rather than merely an idealistic aspiration.”
In his address, Guest of Honour Justice Jasmeet Singh highlighted the judiciary’s critical role, stating, “The climate emergency we face today is an unprecedented combination of environmental degradation and our inability to take adequate restorative measures. Rapid population growth and expanding economies have pushed us to the brink, with unsustainable development practices causing irreversible damage to our rivers, forests, and overall environment. The judiciary, through landmark judgments like M.C. Mehta, continues to play a pivotal role in upholding the fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, demonstrating that environmental conservation and development must coexist in a delicate balance.”
He further added, “Transitioning to sustainability should not be seen as a costly obstacle, but rather as an opportunity for meaningful innovation and long-term prosperity. The path toward sustainability is essential for our collective future, requiring each one of us—citizens, legal professionals, policymakers—to actively participate and contribute, no matter how small. It is through collective effort and commitment that we can transform the challenge of climate change into an avenue for resilient and lasting progress”
Chief Guest Justice Sanjay Karol remarked, “Addressing climate change is no longer sufficient—we must recognize it as a climate emergency. Indian courts, especially our constitutional courts, have zealously guarded the environment, emphasizing that Mother Earth does not belong to us; we belong to her. There is no conflict between judicial activism for environmental protection and economic growth, as both must coexist harmoniously to achieve the constitutional goals outlined in our preamble.”
He further added, “Grassroots solutions are essential for addressing global environmental challenges. The responsibility cannot solely lie with courts, legislators, or executives. Each citizen must actively participate in preserving the environment for future generations. Collective efforts, such as community-led clean-ups and awareness initiatives, are not only necessary but vital for ensuring sustainable environmental progress.”
Dr Lalit Bhasin, President, SILF, and Chairman, CII National Committee on Legal Services, shared insights into the conference’s purpose, saying, “The judiciary has played a very significant and commendable role in the protection of the environment in the country. The verdicts of the Supreme Court and the High Courts have planted their legal precedents; they have sown the seeds of environmental accountability in Indian governance. These judgments are now reference points for courts, policy makers and the corporate sector. We need this environmental Justice as SILF celebrates the Environment Protection Day today.”
Distinguished dignitaries in attendance included Mr Sudhir Mishra, Managing Partner, Trust Legal and Chair of CII Sub-Committee on ESG and SILF; Ms. Nina Gupta, Advocate and Mediator, Member, Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee of the Supreme Court of India; Mr Chetan Sharma, Additional Solicitor General of India; Justice Sangita Dhingra and former Judge of Delhi High Court.
A notable moment of the conference was the Awards Presentation Ceremony, where distinguished individuals and organisations were recognised for their significant contributions to sustainability and environmental law. The prestigious awards were presented to Justice AS Oka, Retired Supreme Court Judge; Dr. Bina Modi, Chairperson, Modi Enterprises; Ms. Meenakshi Arora, Senior Advocate; Prof. (Dr.) S Shanthakumar, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat National Law University; Rajesh Jha, Regional Legal Director – South Asia, Reckitt India Private Limited; and Sharad Aggarwal, CEO, Godfrey Phillips India Limited. Additionally, Plaques of Honour were presented to Justice Sanjay Karol, Judge, Supreme Court of India, and Justice Jasmeet Singh, Judge, Delhi High Court.
The conference featured two compelling panel discussions, “Courts as Saviours of Clean Air, Trees, Rivers, Forests, and Climate in India” and “Role of Judiciary in Balancing Economic Development and Sustainability,” with insightful contributions from esteemed panellists and subject matter experts.
The SILF Climate Change Conference and Awards 2025 successfully underscored the essential intersection of law, sustainability, and judicial responsibility, marking an important step forward in India’s environmental jurisprudence.