India Urged to Enhance Agricultural Resilience Amid Climatic Challenges

India's agricultural and food sectors must enhance adaptation efforts to counter the growing climate change impacts, stresses the Climate Group's India Executive Director, Divya Sharma. An industry coalition aims to boost sustainable food production as India pushes towards substantial renewable energy goals.

India's agriculture and food industries are urged to escalate adaptation strategies to contend with rising climate change pressures, according to the Climate Group.

"Extreme heat, erratic monsoon patterns, and significant groundwater stress are elevating risks to India's food supply chains," highlighted Divya Sharma, Executive Director of the Climate Group in India. She called for collective action from farmers, businesses, industry associations, and the government to bolster resilience. An industry-driven coalition, with the Climate Group's support, is being established to expedite this transition.

"The coalition aims to engage businesses and industry associations to foster nutritious, sustainable, low-emission food products," Sharma noted during events in Singapore. The Climate Risk Index places India among the top ten countries vulnerable to climate change.

Sharma commended India's leadership in renewable energy and transport electrification, aspiring for 500 GW from renewables by 2030. India forms coalitions like the International Solar Alliance to enhance domestic and international efforts. Yet challenges such as decarbonizing the steel and concrete sectors remain, especially amid economic demands.

"Achieving a Net Zero economy by 2070 is feasible given India's current trajectory," Sharma asserted, amidst global uncertainties. Over 16 years, the Climate Group in India has collaborated on campaigns such as RE100 and EV100 to promote climate leadership and greenhouse gas mitigation.