Tuesday 21 / October / 2025
Climate change is the defining issue of our time, and while nations across the globe are grappling with ways to mitigate its impact, India has emerged as a leader among developing economies.
Through its National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched in 2008 and steadily expanded in scope, India has crafted a model that blends growth with sustainability.
Its achievements are not just reshaping the nation’s future but also offering a roadmap for the entire Global South, where the balance between development and environmental stewardship is both urgent and delicate.
A vision rooted in sustainability
India’s NAPCC was designed around eight core “National Missions” that targeted key areas such as solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, the Himalayan ecosystem, Green India (afforestation), sustainable agriculture, and strategic knowledge.
Over the years, these missions have expanded to include state-level action plans and additional thematic programmes, ensuring that India’s climate action has both national and local relevance.
What makes the NAPCC remarkable is its integration of climate goals with developmental priorities. Rather than treating sustainability as separate from growth, India has woven it into the nation’s progress story.
This approach ensures that actions to combat climate change also generate jobs, strengthen rural livelihoods, and foster innovation.
Success in renewable energy: A solar powerhouse
Among the standout successes of the NAPCC is the National Solar Mission. India has transformed itself into one of the world’s leading producers of solar power, with installed capacity exceeding 82 GW by early 2025.
Vast solar parks across states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka are not only supplying clean power to the grid but also creating employment opportunities for thousands.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India, has further elevated this mission to a global platform.
With over 120 countries as members, the ISA is helping nations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America adopt solar energy solutions. This international collaboration underscores how India’s domestic initiatives are influencing global clean energy transitions.
Enhancing energy efficiency: Leading by example
The National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) has delivered outstanding results, particularly through initiatives like Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT).
This market-based mechanism encourages industries to improve energy efficiency, and those who surpass targets can trade surplus savings. Such programmes not only reduce emissions but also lower costs for industries, proving that sustainability can drive competitiveness.
India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has also spearheaded large-scale programmes such as the Standards and Labelling scheme and the UJALA initiative, which has distributed over 370 million LED bulbs nationwide.
This single programme alone has resulted in massive energy savings and reduced emissions, all while lowering household electricity bills—a perfect example of climate action translating directly into people’s welfare.
Greening agriculture and habitats
India’s National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture is helping farmers adopt climate-resilient practices, water-efficient irrigation, and crop diversification.
By promoting organic farming, soil health management, and precision agriculture, the mission is safeguarding food security for a growing population while reducing the environmental footprint of farming.
Similarly, the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat is driving innovation in green buildings, public transport systems, and waste management.
Indian cities are adopting electric buses, energy-efficient housing models, and smart mobility solutions—steps that contribute to cleaner air, reduced emissions, and healthier urban living.
Protecting ecosystems and expanding forests
The Green India Mission has been central to afforestation and ecosystem restoration.
India has consistently expanded its forest and tree cover, reaching nearly 25% of the country’s geographical area by 2023, with continued progress since then.
These initiatives not only sequester carbon but also preserve biodiversity, enhance soil and water quality, and provide livelihoods for forest-dependent communities.
Protecting the fragile Himalayan ecosystem is another area of success. Through research, conservation efforts, and community engagement, the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem ensures that this vital region, often called the “water tower of Asia,” remains resilient in the face of climate change.
Scaling local action: State and city leadership
A unique strength of India’s approach lies in the State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs).
Every state and union territory has tailored its strategy in alignment with the NAPCC, ensuring that local needs and opportunities are addressed.
From Kerala’s focus on renewable energy in coastal areas to Himachal Pradesh’s emphasis on water resource management in mountain ecosystems, this decentralisation makes India’s model adaptable and scalable.
City-level programmes, such as energy-efficient street lighting, sustainable transport networks, and waste-to-energy projects, further demonstrate how India’s climate action reaches down to the grassroots. This multi-layered approach ensures inclusivity and broad participation across society.
Global recognition and lessons for the Global South
India’s climate leadership has not gone unnoticed. At international forums, India has consistently highlighted the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” while showing that action at scale is possible even within the context of development priorities.
The nation has overachieved its initial commitments under the Paris Agreement, reducing emissions intensity of GDP and significantly expanding non-fossil energy capacity well ahead of schedule.
A model for shared prosperity
India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change is more than a policy framework—it is a vision of how a developing nation can chart a path toward sustainable prosperity.
By focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem protection, and decentralised action, India has created a blueprint that is both ambitious and practical.
For the Global South, India’s success is not just inspirational; it is actionable. It shows that climate action need not come at the cost of growth. Instead, it can be the very foundation of inclusive development, technological innovation, and international solidarity.
As the world moves deeper into the decisive decade for climate action, India’s journey offers hope and direction. It tells us that with vision, determination, and cooperation, nations can protect the planet while uplifting their people. And in that balance lies the true success of India’s climate strategy—a success that the Global South, and indeed the world, can learn from.
Share this:
