Policy Update
Yash Kumar
INTRODUCTION
The climate change missions of India were introduced as a framework that was strategically prepared to combat climate change challenges, which was a very important global concern, while also maintaining the means of achieving sustainable economic growth. The missions were launched under the broader National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) on 30th June 2008, which was announced by the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change (PMCCC). The plan effectively reflected India’s proactive stance on climate policy, especially with India having the status of a rapidly developing nation with higher energy demands from a growing population that will be vulnerable to climate-related risks.
BACKGROUND
The climate policy of India came in 2008 with the implementation of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which is one of the most comprehensive policies that any developing country has implemented, aiming to address environmental challenges while also focusing on economic growth. The plan emerged during a period of intensifying international climate negotiations. Thus, this plan also reflects India’s active response to the issue of climate change despite India’s emphasis on “Common but differentiated responsibilities” in the global climate governance. The NAPCC established eight core missions at the National level, each of which targeted a specific aspect of climate mitigation or adaptation while simultaneously focusing on India’s priorities for development.
FUNCTIONING
The eight core missions, each focused on a specific area of climate relevance:
- National Solar Mission (NSM): The mission focuses on promoting the use of solar energy across the nation. The main goal is to promote solar energy as an affordable and practical alternative to fossil fuels. To achieve this, it supports the setting up of research centres for solar technology, increasing cooperation with other countries to develop technologies and enhancing solar equipment manufacturing in India. The mission is funded by government investments and support from international partners.
- National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE): The mission aims to promote the energy efficiency market by encouraging innovative policies and effective market instruments. It aims to provide assistance to large industries in reducing the amount of energy they consume. It establishes a system where companies that save energy and are energy efficient can earn certificates, which they can sell to those companies that use more energy. The mission also seeks to support public-private projects that aim to reduce energy use in cities, buildings, and farms.
- National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (NMSH): The mission focuses on making energy-efficient and environmentally friendly cities by updating building rules so that construction can save more energy. It also seeks to make vehicles more fuel efficient and encourage the public to use public transport through financial rewards. The mission highlights the importance of efficient waste management and recycling as a crucial part in achieving a sustainable standard of urban living.
- National Water Mission (NWM): The goal of the mission is to promote the efficient use of water, especially as climate change has a direct impact on the availability of water. The mission has a target of a 20% increase in how efficiently water can be used across different sectors, by implementing various strategies such as changing water prices, so that people and industries reduce their water wastage.
- National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE): This mission aims to protect the unique and fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Its main objective is to reduce the speed of melting of glaciers and preserve the rich biodiversity in the region. It also seeks to promote the study of the effects of climate change in the Himalayan region and suggest strategies to adapt to them.
- National Mission for a Green India (GIM): The mission aims to increase the amount of forest cover across the nation. It plans to plant trees on 6 million hectares of lost forest lands. The mission also aims to grow total forest cover so that forests can make up 33% of India’s land area, compared to about 21.71% currently.
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): The mission aims to provide assistance to farmers in dealing with climate change. It supports the creation of crops that can survive tough weather conditions and promotes farming methods that are better suited for the environment. It also seeks to expand weather-based insurance so that farmers can have some protection against unexpected crop losses.
- National Electric Mobility Mission (NEMM): The mission aims to promote the use of electric vehicles in India. The goal of the mission is to reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels, reduce air pollution and make transportation more eco-friendly. It encourages the production of electric and hybrid vehicles by providing financial support, such as subsidies to both manufacturers and buyers. The mission was merged into a broader mobility program, such as Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.
These were the core missions that were established with the introduction of the National Action Plan on Climate Change. In 2022, the government included three missions in the broader framework.
The National Coastal Mission Under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: this mission aims to address the vulnerable 7,500 km of India’s coastlines to rising sea levels, coastal erosion and extreme weather events, which are threatening the ecosystem and communities of those regions.
The National Mission on Human Health and Climate Change under the Ministry of Health aims to reduce the current increasing health risk due to changing climate patterns from heat-related illness to vector-borne diseases and air pollution.
The National Mission on Sustainable Transport for Climate Change Under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: the mission aims to decarbonise India’s growing transport sector through integration of eclectic mobility, improved public transit systems and sustainable urban planning
These additions in the framework complement the original eight missions that continue to drive the country’s progress in solar energy deployment, enhancement in energy efficiency, Sustainable urban development, water resource management, protection of the Himalayan ecosystem, afforestation, climate resilient agriculture and increased study of climate change. Together, these eleven missions provide a broader framework that aims to address climate change, a multifaceted challenge across all the sectors of the indian economy.
PERFORMANCE
One of the most visible successes of India’s climate policy in recent years has been in the area of renewable energy capacity, particularly solar and wind power capacity. According to the BUR-4 report of UNFCCC, India has increased its solar power capacity from 80 GW in 2022 to 92.12 GW by 2024, while the wind capacity is increasing at a moderate rate, rising from 44 GW in 2022 to 47.72 GW in 2024. This renewable energy growth plays an important role in India’s reduction of emissions.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s Year-end review 2024, the intensity of India’s GDP is reduced by 33% between 2005 and 2019. This indicates significant progress of India towards its increased NDC target of reducing emission intensity by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030.
India’s climate missions have prioritised increasing forest area to create carbon sinks. The Green India Mission, supported by flagship campaigns such as “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam”, has substantially increased tree plantations. The number of trees planted has increased from 80 crore in 2022 to 102 crore in 2024. The parliamentary committee’s 2024 review highlights the mission’s contribution to biodiversity conservation and its similar focus as India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of equivalent by 2030.
The National Water Mission has made significant progress in promoting the efficient use of water, rainwater harvesting and the restoration of traditional water bodies. The Ministry of Jal Sakti’s dashboard states the completion of over 1,00 watershed management projects in 2023-24, with the main focus on drought-prone districts.
The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture has led to expansion in the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties, precision irrigation, and integrated pest management. The Ministry of Agriculture’s annual report states the distribution of over 10 million climate-resilient seeds and the implementation of 500 climate-smart villages across vulnerable agro-climate zones.
The National Mission on Climate Change and Human Health, which was established in 2019, has formulated an early warning system for heatwaves and vector-borne diseases in 50 cities by 2024. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reports reduced heat-related morbidity in trial zones. This significant outcome is attributed to the improvement in public awareness of agencies.
The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change and the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem have focused on building scientific and institutional capacity. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has established State Climate Change Centres in 13 states and supported over 100 research projects on climate vulnerability and adaptation. The DST states the development of regional climate models and integration of climate risk assessments into state action plans.
CHALLENGES
Climate Finance Gaps: A critical challenge of Climate Change Missions is the inadequacy of climate finance. The Economic Survey 2024-25 notes that “the recent outcome of New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) at Cop29 on climate finance presents little optimism about the possibility of support to developing countries.
The small mobilisation target of USD 300 billion annually by 2035, as the NCQG is a fraction of the estimated requirement of USD 5.1-6.8 trillion by 2030. The Financing gap is significantly constraining the implementation of climate missions, particularly for adaptation measures, which often require a higher level of public investments.
Policy Coherence and Institutional Coordination: Research published in the Economic and Political Weekly argues that “India’s domestic climate policy is outdated and relies on a disjointed institutional architecture, without having clarity on foundational values”4. The article calls for revisiting the National Action Plan on Climate Change and emphasises the need for “policy integration, institutional design for effective implementation, and climate justice
WAY FORWARD
Strengthening Adaptation Framework: Given the increasing severity of climate impacts, there is a clear need to strengthen the adaptation components of India’s climate missions. The Economic Survey’s emphasis on adaptation strategies and the development of the National Adaptation Plan represent important steps in this direction. Future policy development should ensure that adaptation receives commensurate attention and resources alongside mitigation efforts.
Innovative Financing Mechanisms: In light of the shortfall in international climate finance, India needs to develop innovative domestic financing mechanisms to support its climate missions. The Economic Survey notes that achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2070 will “need to prioritise investment in extensive grid infrastructure improvements and the secure sourcing of critical minerals necessary for this transformative shift”. This will require new approaches to mobilising both public and private capital for climate action.
Enhanced Policy Integration: Policy integration will be crucial for maximising the impact of climate missions. This includes better coordination across ministries, alignment of sectoral policies with climate goals, and integration of climate considerations into mainstream development planning.
Community Engagement and Climate Justice: The IndiaSpend article emphasises the need for the government to “engage in meaningful climate action that includes communities worst impacted by climate change”. Ensuring that climate missions address the needs and priorities of vulnerable communities will be essential for their legitimacy and effectiveness, particularly for adaptation measures that need to be tailored to local contexts.
India’s climate change missions have shown significant progress in key areas, particularly renewable energy deployment and afforestation, with significant contributions to emission intensity reduction and carbon sequestration. However, adaptation efforts appear to lag behind mitigation, and implementation challenges related to finance, policy coherence, and institutional coordination persist. As climate impacts intensify, strengthening these dimensions of India’s climate policy framework will be crucial for ensuring comprehensive and effective climate action.
The analysis underscores the economic importance of successful climate action for India, with potential impacts on up to 10% of national income and implications for 50 million people at risk of falling into poverty due to climate impacts. This highlights that India’s climate missions are not merely environmental policies but fundamental components of the country’s sustainable development pathway and economic security strategy.
CASE STUDY: HYDERABAD
Between March 30 and April 2, Hyderabad, known as India’s growing IT hub, faced a major environmental crisis when 400 acres of the Kancha Gachibowli forest were suddenly cleared overnight to build a ₹50,000 crore IT park. The project was approved without conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which led to the loss of over 40,000 trees and displaced 455 species, including endangered animals like the Indian Rock Python and Bengal Monitor Lizard. Satellite images confirmed that around 2 square kilometers of forest were destroyed, removing a vital carbon sink that used to absorb about 17,061 metric tons of CO₂ every year.
This deforestation also worsened the urban heat island effect in Hyderabad, with temperatures expected to rise by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. The Telangana government supported the project, claiming it would create five lakh jobs and boost economic growth. However, many environmentalists and local citizens strongly opposed the move, protesting against the destruction of nature. On April 3, 2025, the Supreme Court stepped in and stopped the construction, ordering a judicial review. This event exposed serious flaws in the system, such as reclassifying forest land as “revenue land” to avoid legal checks, and ignoring the city’s loss of 11,422 hectares of forest since 2014, as reported by Global Forest Watch.
A balanced way forward requires integrating sustainable development with environmental engineering. Future projects must undergo strict Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and follow eco-sensitive planning. Authorities should prioritize smart urban development that preserves green zones and biodiversity. Technology can aid in creating low-carbon, energy-efficient infrastructure. Forest compensation must involve real afforestation with native species. Legal frameworks should be strengthened to prevent land misuse. Public participation and transparency in decision-making are essential. Ultimately, development must not come at the cost of irreversible ecological damage, but instead aim for harmony between economic growth and environmental preservation.
REFERENCES
- Chateau, J., Dang, G., MacDonald, M., Spray, J. A., & Thube, S. D. (2023). A framework for climate change mitigation in India. IMF eLibrary. https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/001/2023/218/article-A001-en.xml
- CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION, BUILDING RESILIENCE DEMAND TARGETED POLICY MEASURES AND SUFFICIENT FINANCING OPTIONS: ECONOMIC SURVEY 2024-25. (n.d.). https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2097862
- Climate Change Programme | Department of Science & Technology. (n.d.). https://dst.gov.in/climate-change-programme
- Desk, I. T. W. (2018, October 26). 8 govt missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) designed to heal India. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/8-missions-govt-napcc-1375346-2018-10-25
- India Today. (2025, April 4). Satellite images confirm deforestation in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli area. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/satellite-images-show-deforestation-in-hyderabad-kancha-gachibowli-forest-area-2703984-2025-04-04
- India’s Domestic Climate Policy is Fragmented and Lacks Clarity. (2019, February 14). Economic and Political Weekly. https://www.epw.in/engage/article/indias-domestic-climate-policy-fragmented-lacks-clarity
- INDIA’S National Action Plan on Climate Change | Climate Change Cell, Haryana | India. (n.d.). https://hrccc.harenvironment.gov.in/indias-national-action-plan-on-climate-change/
- MoEFCC.(2024). India: Fourth Biennial Update Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/India%20BUR-4.pdf
- Mohan, V. (2022, October 3). Government set to add 3 ‘missions’ to tackle climate change impact. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/government-set-to-add-3-missions-to-tackle-climate-change-impact/articleshow/94629673.cms
- Mookherjee, P. (2023, December 4). Budget 2023: A mixed bag for climate action. orfonline.org. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/budget-2023-a-mixed-bag-for-climate-action
- NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE & HUMAN HEALTH. (2017). Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Government of India. https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/27505481411548674558.pdf
- National Action Plan on Climate Change, Government of India. (2008). Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change. https://archivepmo.nic.in/drmanmohansingh/climate_change_english.pdf
- Pandve, H. (2009). India′s National Action Plan on Climate Change. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 13(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5278.50718
- Pisharody, R. V. (2025, April 7). Kancha Gachibowli land issue: All you need to know about the protests in Hyderabad. The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/kancha-gachibowli-forest-issue-9926884/
- Wadhwa, B. R. (n.d.). Evaluating India’s climate Policy Action Plan – Australian Institute of International Affairs. https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/evaluating-indias-climate-policy-action-plan/
- Year-end Review 2024: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. (n.d.). https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2088406
About the Contributor
Yash Kumar is a research intern at IMPRI, pursuing his Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics and Sociology with a minor in Political Science from Christ University, Bangalore.
Acknowledgement
I sincerely thank my coordinator, Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja, for her guidance, support, and insightful feedback in reviewing and shaping my article.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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