India's Proactive Climate Action Lifts Millions Out of Poverty, Creates Green Jobs

As of November 6th, 2025, India has emerged as a global leader in the fight against climate change. Despite being one of the most climate-impacted countries, India has taken a proactive approach to addressing the crisis and aligning its developmental priorities with climate considerations.

In 2024, India experienced extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, heat waves, and glacial melt, on 322 days. However, the country has made significant strides in reducing its emission intensity, which has decreased by 36% between 2005 and 2020. India has also set ambitious climate, energy, and adaptation goals in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LTLEDS), with a net-zero target for 2070.

India's climate action has translated into a wide array of welfare schemes, programs, and missions. The country has lifted 171 million people out of extreme poverty in the last 10 years and created approximately 1.02 million jobs in the renewable energy sector alone in 2023. India is investing heavily in clean technology, innovation, and green initiatives to boost self-reliance and generate green jobs.

India's leadership, domestic achievements, and clear understanding of the climate reality have shaped its negotiating stance at international climate summits. The country has emerged as a critical voice, especially for the Global South, calling for developed countries to fulfill their finance, technology, and capacity development obligations to support poor and developing nations.