Aaditya Thackeray accuses Centre of data manipulation, seeks GST-style climate change council

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday accused the Union government of "data manipulation" and greenwashing. He said the government had failed to provide citizens with basic needs such as clean air, water and food. The statement comes ahead of the Earthshot Prize Summit and Awards in Mumbai.

Thackeray said almost all of the world's most polluted cities are currently in India. On this basis, he questioned the Centre's commitment to international climate agreements and the effectiveness of environmental governance within the country.

He said a lack of honesty in data had masked India's real position in climate indices, making the country's environment look better than it is. He also said political indifference to the environmental crisis was forcing people to protest and, in some cases, to migrate in search of a basic standard of living.

Thackeray said, "Those who pay direct taxes and all those who pay indirect taxes, expecting these basic things, have to spend again on air and water purifiers and on sources of food."

He warned that the worsening environment is no longer only a public health concern but has also become an economic threat. According to him, businesses and organisations are moving away from polluted areas, with job losses as the direct result.

Repeating a long-standing demand, Thackeray called for a climate change council, modelled on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, to be set up immediately. Its aim would be to institutionalise cooperation between the Centre and the states on environmental issues.

He suggested that the Prime Minister head the council. It would include the forest and environment ministers of all states, along with representatives of Union ministries dealing with urban and rural development, energy, agriculture, industry and roads. He said the council should meet every quarter and review verified data, targets and the immediate progress of climate action.

Thackeray also demanded similar State Councils of Climate Change in the states, headed by the respective chief ministers. They would include representatives of all linked government departments, who would monitor regional climate action plans.

Recalling his tenure as Maharashtra's Minister for Environment and Climate Change, he said the state had prepared climate action plans for Mumbai and several other cities during that time. He said such plans should be prepared transparently by independent and internationally reputed institutions, and also be audited impartially. He added that environmental governance is linked to almost every government department and plays a key role in determining people's overall quality of life.

Thackeray said India is heading towards a decisive phase in view of its population and demographic dividend. He urged the government to treat climate action as an economic and strategic priority and act immediately. He concluded, "Timely climate action can be a huge opportunity, which, if missed, can become a very big threat in terms of social, political, economic and national security."

The COP31 climate summit is currently under way in Turkiye. Mumbai will host the Earthshot Prize Summit and Awards on November 16 and 17, followed by Mumbai Climate Week in February 2027.