Climate Change

In the post-Paris agreement era, accelerating climate action is the biggest hope to ensure a safe future for all. In India, our work focuses on climate modelling to develop a better understanding of climate variability at regional scales. We study the risks and vulnerabilities of key sectors such as water, health, agriculture and industry. Our work in climate science is inextricably linked to policy research and recommendations for the Indian government to shape its domestic policies, as well as contribute to its position in global negotiations. Through a number of initiatives, we are beginning to extend our knowledge and research in climate science and policy to other emerging economies.

climate

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  • Financing

    Project Report

    Financing Decarbonization of Indian Secondary Steel Sector: Towards an Enabling Environment

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    urban-heat

    Theme

    HFCs – Enabling efficient refrigerant transitions

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  • climate change video

     

    Research paper

    A Transformative Global Goal on Adaptation: Scope, Science and Policy

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  • climate

    Policy Brief

    Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC): A technology landscape, challenges and opportunities for sustainable cooling

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  • Adaptation future

    Article

    Urban Flood Analysis and Early Warning Solution for Disaster Resilience

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Projects

OTBL

OTBL Campus Impact Challenge: A Youth Initiative for Creating Positive Spaces

LAMP

Local Air Quality Management Plan (LAMP)

CAP India

School Awareness as part of CAP India

Hydropower

Development of a Hydropower Forecasting System Framework and Implementation of a Pilot Project for Hydropower Optimization in Bhutan

RSD Project

Develop an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for RSD Project and Shahpurkandi Dam Project and Design Flood Review of Ranjit Sagar Dam Project

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Articles

India’s New AC Set Point Rule: A Small Tweak with Big Implications

Why a shift from 16°C to 20°C could reshape the nation’s energy future and cooling habits.

Climate Anxiety in Youth: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions

A recent survey reveals that 94% of Indian youth are grappling with eco-anxiety amid the climate crisis.

The Silent Disaster: Why India Must Build Stronger Heatwave Resilience

Between 1992 and 2015, official estimates recorded 24,223 deaths caused by heatwaves, earning it the labels of a “silent killer” or an “invisible disaster.”

Financing India’s Green Transition: Challenges and Pathways

According to a report by India Briefing, the industrial sector contributes 27.63% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Burning Point: Increasing Heatwaves Threaten Lives Across India

Ms Suruchi Bhadwal
,
Mr K Venkatramana

In April 2025, Delhi experienced an intense heatwave, recording the hottest day of the year so far and the warmest night in six years. It also marked the highest maximum temperature for April in the last three years. These conditions, now becoming more frequent and severe, are a stark reminder of the urgent need to address heat-related risks.

WSDS2024: Launch of MTCoE’s Daylight Plugin Tool at the thematic session "Advancing Sustainable Building Practices: Role of Laboratories and State-of-the-art Infrastructure to Enhance Energy Efficiency & Thermal Comfort."

Ms Sheen Pandita

The session was conducted as a part of the World Sustainable Development Summit 2024, the only leading sustainable development summit in the Global South. Held on February 8th, 2024, at the India Habitat Centre, it focused on exploring the potential of smart technologies and data analytics in managing energy and optimizing building performance, emphasizing the significance of human-centric design for improving occupant comfort.

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Events

Restoring Degraded Forest Landscapes: India's Approach to Sustainable Forest Management and Climate Resilience

May 5, 2025
to May 9, 2025

TERI and MOEFCC jointly organised a side event at the 20th session of the UN Forum on Forests on 6th May 2025, which is being held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States, from 5-9 May 2025. The topic of the event was "Restoring Degraded Forest Landscapes: India's Approach to Sustainable Forest Management and Climate Resilience".

State-Level Policy Dialogue on Mainstreaming Climate-Sensitive Urban Planning in Goa

April 25, 2025
to April 25, 2025

Training on Climate Resilient Integrated Watershed Management

April 12, 2025
to April 12, 2025

TERI is organizing a training program on Climate Resilient Integrated Watershed Management on 12th April 2025 at Silver Oak, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, India

Background

Over 80% of India’s population lives in districts vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, depleting groundwater, retreating glaciers, severe cyclones, and rising sea levels threaten livelihoods, food security, and the economy. Urban areas, particularly those with unplanned development, face increasing risks from extreme heat, flooding, and disease.

Webinar on Advancing Sustainable Cooling and Strengthening Certification Practices in India’s Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RAC) Sector

March 28, 2025
to March 28, 2025

CEO Forum at WSDS 2025

March 6, 2025
to March 6, 2025

WSDS 2025 Thematic Track-Watershed Management for Agricultural Resilience: Challenges, Solutions, and Sustainable Development

March 5, 2025
to March 5, 2025

Rural communities throughout India face various challenges related to climate change and its variability, coupled with declining farm productivity and livelihood due to depleting and degrading natural resources. Dryland agriculture in India is particularly vulnerable to climate change, given the dependence of its dense population on agriculture, excessive pressure on natural resources, and limited coping capacities. The anticipated impacts of climate change are likely to further strain already scarce land, water resources, and livelihoods.

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News

The Hindu Huddle 2025: Role of multilateral regime remains relevant in fight against climate change: experts

May 27, 2025 |
May 27, 2025
The Hindu

Drawing from her experience in the field, Ms Suruchi Bhadwal, Senior Fellow & Director, Earth Science and Climate Change Division, TERI, said while the science is strong and solid, there continues to be the need for the right kind of technologies, finance to be put in place to help countries cope with the situation that may arise.

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Tackling climate change with green mobility

May 16, 2025 |
May 16, 2025
The Pioneer

A report by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) warns that if we do not act, transport emissions in India could increase sixfold in the coming decades. These issues are more than abstract concerns — they pose tangible risks to the daily lives and well-being of millions.

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Reimagining Indian Agriculture in a Changing Climate: Building Resilience for a Sustainable Future

May 1, 2025
| Dr Vibha Dhawan
| Agriculture Today Magazine (May 2025 edition)

Technology has revolutionized farming in the face of climate uncertainty. Precision agriculture, guided by AI-based climate models and IoT devices, allows for optimal resource use says Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

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Assam transforming into a land of peace, prosperity: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

April 26, 2025 |
April 26, 2025
Business Standard

Addressing the 32nd Convocation of Gauhati University, the Assam Chief Minister Mr Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasised that India is advancing through the pillars of culture, education, science and the arts. State Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu, Director General of TERI Dr Vibha Dhawan, Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University, Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta, also spoke on the occasion.

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Inaugural edition of Deenbandhu Andrews Samvaad at St Stephen’s College concludes

April 23, 2025 |
April 23, 2025
The Pioneer

Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, The Energy Resources Institute (TERI), highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on the poor, emphasising the role of individual responsibility in climate action.

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India, UK, and France can be the new climate leaders

April 22, 2025
| Dr Vibha Dhawan, TERI; Ms Zerin Osho, IGSD
| Hindustan Times

The India-France-UK climate triad can work together to build coalition that not only advances their own climate goals but also offers a viable alternative to the wavering global commitment, says Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI; Ms Zerin Osho, Director, India Program, IGSD.

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Policy

Financing Just Transition: Synergies between NCQG and JTWP

November 18, 2024

The discussions and negotiations for the JTWP and the NCQG so far reflect the broader challenge of aligning global ambitions with practical actionable steps towards equitable climate action. Looking ahead, the JTWP has the potential to be a framework for deeper, more effective collaboration towards a collective narrative around implementing the Paris Agreement through just transition pathways at global as well as national scales, leading to tangible progress towards a sustainable and equitable future. This potential cannot be realized without a commensurate outcome of the NCQG process.

Biodiversity and Land Restoration in India: A Narrative of India's Sustainability Efforts Vis-à-vis the World

November 12, 2024
    

Emissions and Consumption: An Approach to Climate Justice

November 12, 2024
    

A Transformative Global Goal on Adaptation: Scope, Science and Policy

November 12, 2024
   

Road to Baku: The New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance

October 15, 2024

Climate finance plays a crucial role in climate efforts. This paper examines the evolution of the discussions on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which will be a key determinant of the success of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29). Despite recent progress, current climate finance targets and mechanisms remain inadequate. This paper analyses the positions of various countries and coalitions. Developing countries stress the responsibility of developed countries, emphasizing equity in climate finance.

Internationalizing Sustainable Lifestyles for Climate Justice

September 27, 2024

Mainstream frameworks on sustainable consumption and production fail to holistically capture downstream segments of resource consumption and production systems, especially in relation to lifestyle choices. Building on previous work by TERI, this policy brief seeks to develop composite metrics on consumption for G20 countries and discusses ways to further internationalize sustainable lifestyles.

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Services

Climate change risk assessment

We generate climate projections at global and regional scales and impacts, vulnerability and adaptation assessments in key sectors using established models and our in-house super-computing facility. We also conducts GHG inventorization and mitigation analysis. We provide national and international policy analysis and review, and contribute to key issues in negotiations encompassing adaptation, mitigation, technology, and finance.

Team

Dr Prodipto Ghosh

Distinguished Fellow, Earth Science and Climate Change

Mr Dipak Dasgupta

Distinguished Fellow, Earth Science and Climate Change

Mr R R Rashmi

Distinguished Fellow, Green Shipping

Ms Suruchi Bhadwal

Director, Climate Change and Air Quality

Dr Manish Kumar Shrivastava

Associate Director, Earth Science and Climate Change

Mr Prasoon Singh

Area Convenor, Center for Climate Change Research

Mr K Venkatramana

Associate Fellow and Area Convenor, Centre for Climate Modelling