Legal and Policy Dimensions of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms Discussed

The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, collaborated with the Centre for Studies in International Trade and Investment Laws (CITIL), Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur, in organising the WTO Chairs Programme–International Symposium on “Carbon Governance and Global Justice: Reconciling Trade Competitiveness and Climate Responsibility”, held on 25 April 2026 at DNLU, Jabalpur.

The event commenced on 24 April 2026 with the inaugural address by Appellate Body Member, WTO (2011–2020) and India’s former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, Mr. Ujal Singh Bhatia, as the Chief Guest. Following the inaugural session, Mr. Bhatia delivered the first expert talk, setting the stage for the two-day symposium. In his address, he emphasised that carbon governance and global justice are intrinsically linked.

In the first panel discussion on carbon pricing mechanisms and carbon border adjustments, the panel critically examined the legal, ethical and economic implications of climate action instruments such as CBAM and other carbon pricing mechanisms.

The second day of the symposium (25 April 2026) commenced with an expert panel discussion on “Carbon Governance and Climate Justice Issues: Equitable Climate Action under International Trade Law”.

The panelists deliberated on key legal and policy dimensions of carbon border adjustment mechanisms and climate-linked trade instruments, emphasising the need to balance trade competitiveness with climate responsibilities and ensure equitable outcomes for developing nations.

The academic core of the symposium comprised four technical sessions that facilitated academic and policy-oriented engagement. Technical Session 1 was chaired by Former Senior Director, ESG, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Mr. Bose Varghese, and Assistant Professor and Head, Centre for WTO and WIPO Studies, HNLU, Dr. Ankit Awasthi; Technical Session 2 by Co-Founder and Advocate, Sarvada Legal, Mr. Seetharaman Sampath, and Associate Professor (Intellectual Property Law), DNLU, Dr. Gargi Chakrabarti; Technical Session 3 by Professor of Law, DNLU, Prof. (Dr.) Shailesh N. Hadli, and Director, Centre for International Trade and Business Laws and Associate Professor of Law, NALSAR University of Law, Dr. Rosmy Joan; and Technical Session 4 by Assistant Professor, DNLU, Dr. Shruti Nandwana, and Consultant/Assistant Professor, CTIL, Ms. Sunanda Tewari. These sessions were conducted over both days of the symposium.

The symposium concluded on 25 April 2026 with a valedictory ceremony. The ceremony was graced by Judge, High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Justice Vivek Agarwal, as the Chief Guest. In his address, he emphasised the critical role of legal frameworks in balancing industrial growth with environmental sustainability. He also acknowledged CTIL’s contribution to trade policy discourse and encouraged further outreach to ensure broader societal impact.

A key highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of the top five research papers and the distribution of certificates to all participants.

The event brought together academicians, researchers, professionals, and students, contributing to ongoing discourse on sustainable trade practices and reinforcing the role of collaborative academic initiatives in shaping responsive and inclusive global trade governance frameworks.

The symposium was organised by DNLU, Jabalpur under the guidance of Director, CITIL and Assistant Professor of Law, DNLU, Dr. Utkarsh K. Mishra, and Professor and Head, CTIL, Dr. James J. Nedumpara, with the academic and administrative leadership of Vice Chancellor, DNLU, Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha, and Registrar, DNLU, Dr. Praveen Tripathi.

The inaugural session of the symposium was also attended by Vice Chancellor, DNLU, Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha; Professor of Law, Chanakya National Law University, Patna, Prof. (Dr.) Manwendra K. Tiwari; and Professor of Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Biological Science, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Prof. (Dr.) Surendra Singh, as Guests of Honour. Also in attendance were Registrar, DNLU, Dr. Praveen Tripathi, and Director, CITIL, Dr. Utkarsh K. Mishra.

The first panel discussion features Co-Founder and Advocate, Sarvada Legal, Mr. Seetharaman Sampath; Vice President and Head, Policy Advocacy and Economics, Hindalco Industries Limited, Aditya Birla Group, Ms. Prachi Priya; Former Senior Director, ESG, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Mr. Bose Varghese; and Associate Professor (Intellectual Property Law), DNLU, Dr. Gargi Chakrabarti. The session was moderated by Director, CITIL, Dr. Utkarsh K. Mishra.

Carbon border adjustment mechanisms and climate justice shaped discussions on balancing trade competitiveness with climate responsibility. Carbon governance and climate justice were examined through an international symposium on trade competitiveness and climate responsibility, jointly organised by CTIL and CITIL at DNLU, Jabalpur. The discussions centred on the legal, ethical and economic dimensions of carbon pricing mechanisms, carbon border adjustment mechanisms and other climate-linked trade instruments, with emphasis on balancing climate action with trade competitiveness and on equitable climate outcomes in developing countries.