The climate landscape in India is undergoing significant transformation as the country leads efforts to develop strategies for climate resilience amidst increasing challenges posed by global warming. A notable initiative currently taking place is the four-day symposium titled ‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’ held in New Delhi. This symposium, organized by The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute and The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), kicked off on March 19, 2025, with an ambitious goal set to align with the nation’s aspirations to become Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The inaugural session was chaired by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, and attended by dignitaries including Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, alongside other prominent figures from academia, industry, and civil society. Bery emphasized the necessity for India-centric adaptation strategies, stating, “We must maintain growth and accelerate welfare while addressing adaptation challenges.” His call for flexible governance solutions spurred discussions on how to empower communities better.
Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh highlighted the essential role of scaling up adaptation efforts, particularly for the most vulnerable communities. “India has consistently led climate advocacy for the Global South,” he remarked, ensuring that international climate policies are both fair and inclusive. He stressed that adaptation and resilience remain vital for protecting livelihoods and ecosystems from climate change damages.
Adding to the conversation, Minister Singh pointed out the urgent need for climate finance to support adaptation strategies, underscoring that financial resources need to be significantly enhanced to meet the requirements of vulnerable communities effectively. “We envision a climate finance ecosystem that is sustainable and equitable, benefiting farmers, small businesses, and coastal societies,” he expressed.
In addressing the call for innovative financial solutions, Singh noted that blended finance and risk-sharing frameworks are vital for complementing public funds. The need for private sector involvement in adaptation efforts cannot be overstated, as these investments can directly impact those facing the brunt of environmental changes.
The symposium also aims to tackle critical themes relevant to India’s adaptation strategies, including climate science's implications for agriculture, water security, and even health risks related to climate change. Furthermore, discussions will encompass labor productivity, workforce adaptation, and the resilience of built environments.
Shri Tarun Kapoor, another key speaker, underlined practical solutions to ensure resource flows to individuals, ultimately promoting affordable food security. “Our forecasts, technology, and knowledge must reach where they are needed most,” he emphasized.
Concurrently, the symposium's discussions are expected to support India’s first National Adaptation Plan (NAP), crucially timed for the upcoming 30th Conference of Parties slated for later this year in Brazil. The NAP aims to discuss and solidify frameworks to address climate extremes in systematic ways.
On March 18, 2025, prior to the symposium, a National Stakeholders Workshop was convened aiming to lay the groundwork for the NAP. Participating experts scrutinized and strategized around how adaptability can be intertwined into overall development planning.
Reflecting on international collaboration, Suman Bery noted that integrating “climate risks” into the new TRUST framework—an initiative involving the U.S. and India—could further bolster efforts against climate change. He supported the idea of adapting high-tech approaches in non-traditional security aspects of climate challenges.
The conference concluded with a call for practical, actionable solutions grounded in scientific evidence and localized responses. “This Symposium is not just about identifying challenges,” Secretary Tanmay Kumar mentioned, but rather about uniting experts and community stakeholders to foster scalable adaptation strategies.
The event also featured a special address from Mr. Alan M. Garber, President of Harvard University, who remarked on the synergy between Indian and American institutions in tackling climate change. “The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute serves as the connection point between Harvard and India, promoting innovative climate solutions,” he said.
This dynamic symposium not only emphasizes the urgency of adapting to climate challenges but also highlights the essential collaboration between governments, academia, and various communities in India. The insights gleaned here are more than preliminary discussions; they pave the way for comprehensive policy recommendations that can uphold livelihoods, critical infrastructure, and economic stability for a climate-resilient India.
