Stressing the importance of incorporating a green lifestyle into our daily lives, he highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change during the inauguration of new environmentally friendly court buildings in Delhi
Stressing the importance of incorporating a green lifestyle into our daily lives, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said on July 2 that climate change can no longer be ignored.
Speaking at the occasion of laying the foundation stone of new buildings at Delhi's Karkardooma, Shastri Park, and Rohini, CJI Chandrachud referred to the two heatwaves followed by the recent record-breaking rain in a single day in the national capital.
"This year, Delhi experienced the hottest recorded weather. Our infrastructure must reflect the reality we live in - Climate change can no longer be ignored. One crucial step is to incorporate a green lifestyle into our daily lives, which includes reducing carbon emissions," he said.
The CJI said he was delighted to know that these new GRIHA-rated court buildings will focus on heat island mitigation and reduce environmental footprint. These buildings, with their environmentally friendly design, will not only serve the purpose of justice but also contribute positively to our environment, giving us hope for a greener future.
He said, "Court premises, like all buildings, are not just made of bricks and concrete. They are made up of hope. Courts are made to realise the virtues of justice and the rule of law. Every case that is being filed before us is with the hope of justice. When we invest in the safety, accessibility, and comfort of our judges, lawyers, and litigants, we build more than just an efficient system -- we make a just and inclusive system."
He said that the new court complexes, with their focus on efficiency and alleviating case backlogs, would provide a dignified environment to all stakeholders. This includes the esteemed judges, lawyers, litigants, and stakeholders in the legal and environmental sectors, whose work is integral to the success of these new buildings.
Furthermore, CJI Chandrachud said that the judicial system subserves no might but the Constitution and is in service of no one but the litigants, adding that our courts are not merely sites of sovereign power but are also essential public service providers.