New Delhi: On the second day of the IVCA GreenReturns Summit 2025, investors, policymakers, climate innovators, and industry leaders came together to discuss India’s climate priorities and pathways for a resilient, low-carbon future.

Delivering the keynote, Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, stressed that India’s climate action must be balanced with its growth and development needs. He said, “India’s climate agenda must strengthen—not slow down—our growth priorities. As a fast-growing economy that has not yet reached peak energy consumption, we have to ensure the availability of affordable and reliable energy while steadily lowering the energy intensity of our growth. The transition must be designed around our development needs, not at their expense.”

He also highlighted the importance of climate adaptation for India. “Adaptation has to come first for countries like India, because most climate-related losses arise from vulnerability rather than emissions. Strengthening coastal protection, water systems, heat resilience, and climate-smart agriculture will reduce systemic risks and make our transition more stable. As we invest and innovate, we must be fact-based and complete in our assessments, ensuring that our climate pathway is both environmentally sound and economically durable,” he added.

The summit showcased India’s climate-tech ecosystem through startup presentations, sector deep-dives, and discussions on financing for clean energy, industrial decarbonisation, and climate resilience. Stakeholders stressed the need for stable policies, demand-side efficiency, and innovative solutions to reduce energy intensity.

The discussions reinforced India’s approach of sequencing climate action: prioritising resilience, strengthening domestic capabilities, and using innovation to support growth, jobs, and sustainable development. The summit called for close collaboration between government, industry, and investors to build a climate-resilient and future-ready India.