The state of climate response in India

A nation on the climate frontline

India’s unique geography and demographic scale make it both exposed and essential in the global climate equation. With just 2.4% of the world’s landmass, the country supports nearly 20% of the global population and sustains 7 - 8% of global biodiversity, including four of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots. As one of the top three global food producers, climate stability is critical not only for livelihoods at home but also for global food security.

Yet, the climate indicators are deteriorating. Major cities have warmed more than 2°C in the past 25 years. Ocean temperatures continue to climb, intensifying cyclones and disrupting fisheries. Monsoon patterns are shifting, driving both droughts and floods. Himalayan ice mass has declined by nearly half since the last century, while groundwater in fast-growing cities like Jaipur and Bengaluru is being extracted at double the rate of natural recharge. Air pollution remains among the worst in the world, with PM2.5 levels almost 10 times above safe thresholds.The climate indicator dashboard consolidates these signals into a transparent national baseline—enabling decision-makers to move beyond fragmented anecdotes toward data-driven strategies that align economic growth with environmental stability.

Interconnected risks

Climate stressors in India are deeply systemic, with ripple effects across sectors. Agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and hydropower – together accounting for a third of national GDP – are all nature-dependent and highly exposed. Without climate-smart adaptation, the economy could face up to 13% GDP loss by 2050, including a 16% drop in agricultural output.

These risks are already visible in daily life. A nationwide survey of 1,700 households reveals that 86% of citizens feel tangible climate impacts, with one in three experiencing disruptions to health and livelihoods. Many are adjusting – segregating waste, reducing water and energy use, cutting plastic – yet 22% remain disengaged, often due to skepticism or lack of support. Expanding financial enablers and public awareness will be critical to scale citizen participation and build resilience across communities.

Corporate India steps up

Businesses are also recognising climate as both a material risk and a growth opportunity. Four in ten CXOs now rank climate among their top three boardroom priorities. Nearly three-quarters increased sustainability investments last year, and more than three-quarters expect climate impacts to reshape operations within the next three years.

Encouragingly, 41% are moving beyond compliance to embed sustainability at the core of operations—linking climate response to competitiveness, supply chain resilience, and long-term value creation. Case studies show that climate leadership can coexist with profitability, offering proof that forward-looking strategies deliver both economic and environmental returns.

Climate risk vs. growth

India’s aspiration to achieve developed-nation status by 2047 will require sustained infrastructure expansion, industrial growth, and tripling of energy demand. While rapid urbanisation, shifting rainfall, and rising temperatures pose real threats to food systems, water security, and power supply, these same challenges present an opportunity to embed resilience into the country’s growth story. Integrating climate priorities into planning today can safeguard progress, unlock new opportunities, and ensure that development remains robust and future-ready.

A framework for action

Turning risk into resilience calls for a whole-of-economy approach. A structured climate action framework provides a practical roadmap, built on integrated solutions that move beyond isolated initiatives:

• Governance & policy alignment: Build unified frameworks and close data gaps for coordinated action.
• Business & market transformation: Integrate climate into operations, financing, and innovation.
• Human capital & community resilience: Equip the workforce for green jobs and scale community-led solutions.
• Data & communication: Strengthen transparency and foster public awareness with clear, relatable messaging.
  
  

The path ahead

India now stands at a pivotal moment: climate response is moving to a shared national priority. Adaptation and resilience, embedded across planning and investment, can prove that development and ecological stewardship are mutually reinforcing pillars of prosperity.

For businesses, the path forward is resilience-led growth—strengthening value chains, investing in adaptive capacity, and creating solutions that support both communities and competitiveness. Citizens, too, are central actors, turning awareness into everyday choices that build collective strength.

With institutions, enterprises, and households joining forces, India can turn climate risk into a foundation for inclusive, future-ready growth – and set an example for the Global South on how to pair rapid development with climate responsibility.