As we look back on 2024, it becomes clear that the year marked an undeniable turning point in how we perceive and address the effects of climate change. India, like many parts of the world, found itself confronting a series of unprecedented weather events that underscored the growing urgency for coordinated, comprehensive action. The year saw blistering heatwaves that turned cities into stifling, uninhabitable zones, where even basic outdoor activities became increasingly perilous. The heat was followed by torrential monsoonal rains, transforming roads into rivers, and inundating homes, agricultural lands, and critical infrastructure. These floods wreaked havoc in regions that had historically been able to weather the season with relative ease.
The ferocity of nature’s wrath was felt not only through floods and heat but also in other forms. Wildfires ravaged forests in some parts of the country, while cyclonic storms slammed into coastal regions with ferocious intensity, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The economic, social, and environmental toll of these events was staggering, underscoring how the climate crisis is no longer a distant concern. It has firmly settled into the present, leaving communities scrambling to rebuild, governments searching for solutions, and citizens grappling with the new reality.
In 2025, the impact of extreme weather continues to reverberate globally. The United States, for example, has already been rocked by some of its worst-ever wildfires, particularly in California, where thousands of homes were consumed by flames in a brutal reminder of the power of nature. These events have been described as some of the most destructive wildfires in the state's history, further amplifying the need for climate action not just in India, but across the globe. It is a stark reality check — climate change is no longer an abstract problem; it is here, and it’s getting worse by the year.
For India, a country already vulnerable to climate change due to its geographic location, socioeconomic factors, and population pressures, 2024 was a critical year that demanded a reckoning. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government approaches the upcoming Budget 2024-25, it is evident that climate change must be at the top of the national agenda. The overwhelming frequency and intensity of climate events have laid bare the nation’s vulnerability and have highlighted the urgent need for a concerted response. The next budget must make climate change a central focus, aligning financial resources with the country’s long-term climate goals.
A Wake-Up Call for 2024 and Beyond
The year 2024 serves as a wake-up call for India and the world. The extreme weather events of the past year, from unrelenting heatwaves to devastating floods, have highlighted how perilous the path ahead is if climate change continues to go unaddressed. The rising temperatures, for instance, have made heatwaves 30 times more likely, putting immense pressure on public health, productivity, and the economy. Extreme heat, which affects millions of people across India each year, not only poses a direct threat to lives but also exacerbates energy demand, strains infrastructure, and threatens agricultural output.
As India’s population continues to grow, recently surpassing China as the world’s most populous country, the demand for resources is increasing at an alarming rate. This rising demand, coupled with the country’s heavy reliance on resource-intensive industries and agricultural practices, is placing immense stress on the environment. It is now clearer than ever that the challenges of the 21st century will not be solved through business as usual. The climate crisis demands urgent, bold action, and this must be reflected in the upcoming budget.
Avantika Goswami, Programme Manager for Climate Change at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), emphasized the importance of integrating climate considerations into national budget planning. She argues that with India now in the middle of a critical decade for climate action, it is imperative that the government begins to earmark significant resources for renewable energy, industrial decarbonization, and green technology research and development. Goswami also stressed that India should prioritize investing in green technologies and sustainable practices, both at the national and industrial levels, in order to maintain a competitive edge in the global green economy.
Furthermore, the Global Risks Report has placed extreme weather events as one of the highest threats to global economies and ecosystems. According to the report, climate-related risks will continue to intensify, and in the next two years, extreme weather events will be the second most significant risk to economies, surpassing even geopolitical threats. This underlines the necessity for India to step up its efforts in addressing the climate crisis and positioning itself as a global leader in climate action.
Beyond Immediate Economic Growth
As India approaches the 2025 budget, it is vital that policymakers do not focus solely on immediate economic growth. While economic development is crucial, it must be pursued alongside a clear commitment to sustainable development. This means balancing short-term economic needs with long-term environmental sustainability to ensure resilience in the face of ongoing and escalating climate impacts.
Saurabh Rai, CEO of Arahas Technologies, echoed the sentiment that India’s 2025 budget must prioritize long-term resilience. He pointed out that the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, coupled with the depletion of natural resources, poses a severe threat to India’s future stability. Rai stressed that inaction could result in irreversible environmental and economic consequences, particularly as the country’s vulnerable sectors — agriculture, infrastructure, and public health — face mounting pressure from climate impacts.
While the 2024-25 budget did make some progress by addressing energy transition and flood management, critics have argued that it lacked a detailed roadmap for implementation and that the resources allocated to ambitious climate initiatives were insufficient. India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 requires robust, immediate action. Budget 2025 must increase investments in both climate adaptation and mitigation, focusing on strengthening infrastructure to withstand extreme weather, promoting the adoption of renewable energy, and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices to reduce carbon footprints.
Renewable Energy: The Path Forward
India’s renewable energy sector has shown promise, with remarkable growth in solar energy adoption through schemes like the Muft Bijli Yojana. This initiative, which has resulted in the installation of over six lakh solar systems in just nine months, has demonstrated the country’s capacity to scale up renewable energy solutions rapidly. According to Shekhar Singal, Managing Director of Eastman Auto and Power Ltd, the increasing demand for solar power is indicative of a broader societal shift toward clean energy solutions. As India looks ahead to the 2025 budget, the renewable energy sector is poised for further expansion, with a focus on ensuring the infrastructure and workforce are in place to meet the country’s ambitious renewable energy targets.
Ashish Agarwal, Head of Solar & Storage at BluPine Energy, highlighted that public-private partnerships will be crucial for driving this expansion. The workforce required to support the renewable energy sector’s rapid growth is enormous, and investments in training the next generation of skilled workers will be pivotal to the success of India’s renewable energy strategy. As the country works toward achieving 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, these partnerships will play an integral role in creating a robust ecosystem that supports both technological innovation and workforce development.
Global Cooperation and the Paris Climate Accord
While India takes significant steps at the national level, it is essential that international cooperation remains a priority. With the U.S. withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords under former President Donald Trump, India has a crucial opportunity to step up and lead global efforts to combat climate change. Strengthening international partnerships and securing climate financing will be vital in achieving India’s climate goals. By working closely with other nations and contributing to global climate efforts, India can cement its role as a leader in sustainable development.
India must also invest in early warning systems and disaster preparedness measures to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather. By doing so, the country can reduce the economic costs associated with these events and save lives.
Conclusion: A Call for Immediate Action
The climate crisis is real, and its impacts are already being felt across India. The urgency for action has never been clearer, and the upcoming Budget 2025 presents a crucial opportunity for the government to chart a course toward a more sustainable, resilient future. If India fails to prioritize climate change in its budget, it risks not only compromising its environmental integrity but also jeopardizing its economic stability and the well-being of its people.
The time to act is now. By prioritizing climate action, India can ensure that future generations inherit a world that is not only economically prosperous but also environmentally sustainable. This is the moment for India to lead the way — to build a future that is greener, more resilient, and more just. The decisions made today will shape the world we leave behind for tomorrow.
