India's Ambitious Climate Resilience and Energy Transition Plan Unveiled in 2025-26 Budget

The Indian government revealed several initiatives in the 2025-26 Union Budget to address climate resilience and energy transition, including missions targeting manufacturing, high-yield seeds, and nuclear energy. Some experts, however, feel these efforts lack the comprehensive climate action needed to effectively tackle the country's growing climate challenges.

The Indian government, on Saturday, announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening climate resilience and accelerating energy transition in the Union Budget for 2025-26. These initiatives include the National Manufacturing Mission, High Yielding Seeds Mission, and Nuclear Energy Mission.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the government's commitment to supporting domestic industries in producing solar panels, EV batteries, wind turbines, and electrolyzers. By 2047, the goal is to generate 100 GW of nuclear energy. The budget also removes basic customs duties on critical minerals to bolster local manufacturing and employment in renewable sectors.

While these steps have been welcomed, climate experts argue that the budget falls short of addressing the urgent need for bold and comprehensive climate action, citing gaps in renewable energy scaling, air quality improvement, and ecosystem restoration.