India has declared itself committed to preventing environmental degradation due to the Games, and has declared the 2010 Games to be the "Green Games."
To plan for this goal, India has taken the commitment to the international level by partnering with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In order for the games to be awarded the title of "Green Games," UNEP must approve of the process and ensure that the games are environmentally sustainable. The Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth Games have appointed a well known environmental consultancy, Naturefirst-GEMS as consultants to achieve the Green Games vision that it has set forth for itself.

To meet this goal, Delhi is providing a large upgrade to its mass transportation system by expanding the size of the Metro network and increasing public bus capabilities. Additionally, Delhi has equipped its Metro stations with rainwater harvesting infrastructure, to be stored in tanks located in each station. It is equipping 1,600 out of 2,500 shelters with solar panels, so the bus shelters will be illuminated with solar power, and will equip over 1,000 shelters with water harvesting facilities.

Delhi is also undertaking a tree-planting campaign, spearheading an anti-litter effort, and promoting the use of renewable energy around the country and city.

All new buildings constructed for the Games will be green buildings as well. According to the State Environment Department, the Games will follow the principles of “sustainable site planning, design and construction of buildings” in order to “ achieve maximum harmony with nature.” These principles of water and energy efficiency are being applied in the construction of the Thyagaraja Sports Complex being constructed.

Controversy arose with regards to the Games Village, the construction of which citizens claimed was harming the banks of the Yamuna River.[20] A major concern is that constructing the Games Village will destroy the Yamuna floodplains, causing not only environmental damage, but also putting the river areas at risk for periodical flooding as well.

To address these concerns, the Indian government formed a monitoring committee to oversee the ecological aspects of the construction of the Games Village. It first invited Nobel prize winner and chairman of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) R.K. Pachauri to head the committee; Pachauri, however, recommended that a non-profit group be partnered with the committee for greater effectiveness.

Additionally, citizens accuse the government of unnecessarily cutting down or transplanting "heritage trees" (old trees) in its drive for rapid development to prepare for the Games in time. In response to these perceived wrongs, citizens are calling for a "Yamuna Satyagrah" (literally, "fight for truth for the Yamuna") - a method of protest first popularised by Mahatma Gandhi.