Climate Group in India

India's booming economy needs sustained, but also a sustainable energy supply. India is the third largest energy consumer in the world already. With renewable energy costs falling rapidly, a clean energy transition is now well underway which the country can tap into.

Programmes

RE100 brings together some of the largest and most influential businesses that have committed to using 100% renewable electricity by 2050 at the very latest. Our goal is to accelerate the transition to zero carbon grids, by driving corporate demand for renewables. We engage with policymakers and investors to help address market challenges.

185 RE100 members have operations in India including 13 major Indian headquartered businesses. Take a look at the full list here.

Read more about RE100

EP100 is a global initiative bringing together businesses that are committed to improving their energy efficiency. They are determined to double their energy productivity, rolling out energy management systems, or achieving net zero carbon buildings. Eleven Indian-origin businesses are EP100 members and signatories.

Through public commitments, and driving towards those targets, companies can show climate leadership and send a powerful signal to policymakers and other businesses about the enormous climate potential of energy efficiency. The full list of our members is available here.

Read more about EP100

Read more about our work on Energy in India.

If you're a business interested in RE100 or EP100, kindly email Atul Mudaliar, Director of Systems - India, at amudaliar@theclimategroup.org.

Road transport accounts for over 90% of transport emissions in India. Whilst large vans, trucks and other medium and heavy-duty freight vehicles (MHDVs) constitute just 2% of all road vehicles, they account for 45% of all road emissions in the country. With India aiming for net zero by 2070, transport decarbonisation is a vital part of the pathway to achieving this goal.

Electric transport can help cut down millions of tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year, as well as curb transport-related air and noise pollution. We're shifting the gear on the transition to zero-emission transport through our EV100 and EV100+ initiatives.

Programmes

EV100 brings together companies that are committed to switch their entire fleet of cars and small vans (up to 7.5t) to be fully electric by 2030. ​At present, 14 India headquartered businesses are committed to the EV100 initiative. Take a look at the members.

We're also running the Last-mile delivery fleet electrification project which focusses on accelerating last-mile EV deliveries in India, building a platform of subnational governments and businesses to facilitate faster transition to EVs.

Read more about EV100

EV100+, which focussed on large vans and trucks (weighing more than 7.5t) and unlocking a revolution in zero-emission trucking, was integrated into EV100 membership. Members' commitments to medium- and heavy-duty transitions remain the same. But they can also make additional commitments in light duty vehicle segments (cars and vans).

The e-MHDT (electrification of medium and heavy-duty trucks) project puts a spotlight on specific truck applications and related knowledge products. We're also supporting top businesses with rolling out their e-truck pilots.

Know more about EMHDT's progress

Read more about our work on Transport in India.

If you are a business wanting to join EV100, email Ashish Saraswat, Program Manager, Transport at asaraswat@climategroup.org or Kumar Nitant, Manager, Energy Transitions at knitant@climategroup.org.

The steel sector contributes to nearly 12% of India's overall GHG emissions. We're building consensus in business and government and we're amplifying knowledge to encourage faster decarbonisation of the steel industry.

Programmes

Up to 25% of the total steel demand in India by 2050 can be Green Steel if the top 5 players in auto, construction and capital goods sectors commit to SteelZero.

As part of SteelZero, members have committed to use, procure and specify 100% net zero steel by 2050. In India, we're focused on aggregating demand for low carbon steel and identifying policy measures for its production and procurement.

ResponsibleSteel is a partner to SteelZero.

Projects

Scrap steel can play a valuable role in the country's steel decarbonisation journey. We're assessing its potential in India. The country owns over 30% of global market share in ship recycling and is home to the largest ship-breaking facility in the world.

Know more about SteelZero

If you are a business wanting to join SteelZero, email Abhas Sinha, Project Manager, SteelZero at asinha@climategroup.org.

We've launched several initiatives to complement the climate ambition of India's national and subnational governments.

An unparalleled network

We're the Secretariat of the Under2 Coalition, the world's largest network of subnational governments committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 as a coalition. Chhattisgarh, former state of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Punjab, Telangana, Tripura, West Bengal are current signatories.

Evidence-led

We've built peer-to-peer learning opportunities among state governments and our global networks for wider knowledge exchange. We've hosted learning forums, sectoral webinars and policy dialogues on key thematic areas. They include climate finance, green budgeting, sustainable crop management, mitigation and adaptation.

Climate champions

What are the best practices at subnational level? To strengthen the ambition and vision of state climate action, we're facilitating the cross-pollination of insights by securing state participation in major international forums. Indian Under2 Coalition signatories have joined in the Under2 Coalition General Assembly, COPs, Climate Group Asia Action Summit, and Climate Week NYC over the years.

The Leadership Interview Series is a window into state climate policy implementation from the perspective of senior policymakers. As an examples, read this interview of the former Environment Minister of Meghalaya, Mr. James Sangma.

State Climate Fellowship

We are supporting Indian states and regions by deploying young professionals selected as part of the Fellowship to states and Union Territories. They contribute to state climate strategies, streamline action and build alignment with India's national climate goals. We have worked with 8 partner states/ Union Territories between 2022-24, and continue to build the Fellowship.

Reach out to Aditya Raghwa, Head, Govt and Policy, South Asia at araghwa@climategroup.org if you are a subnational government interested in joining the Under2 Coalition.

AutoCAST (Automotive – Clean Accelerated Steel Supply-Chain Transition) has been launched for stronger collaboration among Indian auto original equipment manufacturers, steel producers, suppliers and policymakers.

The platform is steered by us in partnership with industry stalwarts Ashok Leyland and Mahindra, to help companies build green steel supply chains with confidence, shifting from one‑off commitments or pilots to progress grounded in data and right connects.

Know more

In 2023, JSW Steel, IKEA and Flipkart launched pilots to introduce electric trucks in their fleets in India as part of our EV100+ campaign. The pilots will offer valuable insights into the feasibility of e-trucks on Indian road conditions and pave the way for their large-scale adoption by Indian businesses.

Know more

• Compendium on Indigenous Adaptive Solutions for Climate ChangeIndia’s indigenous communities have long developed effective climate adaptive solutions rooted in deep ecological knowledge and cultural practices. This compendium features seven case studies that showcase how blending indigenous knowledge with scientific research can drive sustainable resource management, preserve biodiversity, and accelerate climate action.
• East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW): A Community Led Nature-Based Solution to Combat Climate ChangeSince the 1880s, the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) have been a locally adopted nature-based solution (NBS), positively impacting the lives of millions residing in and around Kolkata. The wetland complex constitutes approximately 260 sewage-fed fishponds, salt marshes and settling ponds. The wetlands also play a crucial role in moderating the impacts of floods, droughts, heatwaves, and they sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This case study explores the East Kolkata Wetlands as a natural climate solution.
• Telangana's Cool Roof Policy: Pilot Demonstration to Policy ImplementationTelangana, an Under2 Coalition signatory state, is India’s third-most urbanised state, with 47 percent of its population living in urban areas. As a result of increasing urbanisation, there is a pressing need for affordable and climate-friendly cooling solutions. The case study details the Telangana's Cool Roof Policy and its key objectives.
• Compendium of Best Practices on Climate Action from Indian StatesWith climate change posing alarming threats to communities across India, subnational climate leadership is essential to meet climate and development targets. Many Indian states are spearheading key initiatives to elevate India’s climate ambition to the next level, acting as frontiers for climate action. This compendium showcases these states and their rightful role as leaders in unlocking barriers to climate solutions.

• Mobilising sub-national action: A model policy framework for promoting zero emission trucks in Indian statesThis report outlines a comprehensive policy framework for sub-national governments to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission trucks (ZETs) in the first section and focuses on existing EV policies in the second section.
• India's Road to Zero-emission TruckingThis report examines how leading Indian businesses are pioneering the adoption of electric trucks. Drawing on seven case studies and structured interviews with fleet operators, shippers, OEMs, logistics providers, and driver partners, it offers grounded, qualitative insights from the field.
• Powering the Electrification of Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks in India’s E-Commerce SectorThis report explores how electric trucks are being adopted in India’s fast-growing e-commerce sector, which depends heavily on road transport. It also offers practical recommendations to support their wider adoption.
• Turning the Tide: Ship Recycling as a Source of Green Steel in IndiaThis report presents an analysis of how India’s ship recycling sector can facilitate and expedite steel decarbonisation and assesses whether the sector can adequately supplement domestic scrap supply and promote circular economy principles.
• Early Market Outlook Report - Electrification of Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks in IndiaAgainst the backdrop of the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in the passenger & light-duty vehicles segment, this report discusses the principal elements of the MHDT sector that will play a vital part in decarbonising freight transport in India.
• India Net Zero Steel Demand Outlook ReportThis report brings out the economic and decarbonisation opportunities available to Indian steel makers today and makes a case for the adoption of low carbon technologies for steel production.
• The Role of Increasing Corporate Renewable Electricity (RE) Demand & High Potential RE Sourcing Options The emphasis of these reports is on the role of commercial & industrial (C&I) consumers in the uptake of RE in India. They delve into the necessary enabling environment to support Indian companies to achieve 100% RE and become RE100 members.

Our CEO Helen Clarkson recently spoke with The Hindu to discuss whether Mumbai Climate Week and India’s financial capital can lead the clean energy transition while also tackling intensifying climate risks. She unpacked how renewable energy deployment, rising power demand, urban resilience, and policy and finance barriers will shape India’s low-carbon future.

Listen to the full episode of the podcast.

The article delves into the key findings of our Powering the Electrification of Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks in India’s E-Commerce Sector report. It reveals how rapid e-truck integration within the e-commerce and FMCG sectors is crucial to achieving India's ambitious vehicle electrification goals.

Read more

In this exclusive interview, Helen Clarkson, CEO, Climate Group, discusses India's recognition that economic growth can align with low carbon emissions. While the country has a net-zero target for 2070, she emphasises the need for greater ambition.

Read the full interview here

Our CEO Helen Clarkson recently spoke with Outlook Business on how climate action and economic development must go hand in hand. She also unpacked what a rollback of environmental regulations would mean for global climate diplomacy, geopolitical shifts and their impact on business, and India’s evolving sustainable ambitions.

Watch the episode of Planet, People, Profit podcast.