India and Australia Forge Renewable Energy Partnership to Tackle Climate Threats

On October 15, 2025, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, is arriving in Delhi to meet with his Indian counterpart, New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi. Their meeting comes at a crucial time as both countries push ambitious clean energy targets to address the region's growing climate vulnerabilities.

The Indo-Pacific has been experiencing the harshest effects of climate change, with the region averaging nearly 10 climate-related disasters per month since 1970. By 2050, projections suggest that as many as 89 million people could be displaced, with 80% of the region's population directly impacted. To mitigate these challenges, India has pledged to reach 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030, with about 280 GW to come from solar. Australia, on the other hand, has recently set a 62%-70% reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2035.

The India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership (REP), launched in 2024 by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese, is now moving from vision to implementation. The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation across areas such as solar photovoltaic technology, green hydrogen, energy storage, and critical mineral supply chains. By leveraging each country's strengths, the REP seeks to create a more resilient and regionally anchored clean energy ecosystem.

Bowen's visit to Delhi is an opportunity to highlight the significance of this partnership and drive practical collaboration to address the region's climate challenges. As the global clean energy transition depends on critical minerals, solar components, and emerging technologies, the two countries must work together to reduce their dependence on single-country supply chains and build a more secure and sustainable future.