India’s energy transition and climate action must be firmly aligned with national development priorities and cannot come at the cost of economic momentum, Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran on Tuesday said, adding that the economy set to cross the $4-trillion mark in the current fiscal.
Speaking at the IVCA Green Returns Summit 2025 here, he emphasised that robust growth is essential for strengthening India’s standing and leverage in a world marked by geopolitical flux.
What did the CEA say?
Climate ambition and economic strength, he stressed, “must advance hand in hand.”
The CEA underscored that India is acutely aware of the risks posed by global warming—from agriculture and ecosystems to coastlines and water systems.
But even as the country remains committed to its net-zero 2070 target, he cautioned that the pathway must suit India’s development stage.
“We’re committed to net zero by 2070, but the journey has to align with development priorities. Affordable energy access and lowering energy intensity will drive climate solutions. Innovation and start-ups are central to getting there,” he said.
CEA on India’s strategy to mitigate climate change
He highlighted that India has not yet reached its peak energy consumption, making affordable, reliable energy access a central pillar of its climate strategy. Lowering the energy intensity of growth, driving innovation, and empowering startups will be crucial to achieving sustainable progress without compromising economic expansion.
For countries like India, Nageswaran argued, adaptation must take precedence because climate-related losses stem largely from vulnerability rather than emissions. Strengthening coastal protection, water systems, heat-resilience infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture will be essential to reducing systemic risks and ensuring a stable transition.
As India invests and innovates, he added, climate strategies must be grounded in evidence and designed to be both environmentally sound and economically durable, he added.