Enhancing climate resilience in rural India

Context

According to the 2023 Adaptation Gap Report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), developing countries require significantly higher international finance flows to implement climate adaptation measures. Annual costs are projected to reach approximately 190 billion euros by 2030, potentially rising to 330 billion euros by 2050.

India has acknowledged these challenges and integrated climate adaptation strategies into its national policies and programmes. Accordingly, the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aim to reduce climate risks for vulnerable populations and targeted industries. These efforts place special emphasis on climate financing instruments in agriculture, as well as in water management across the Himalayan, coastal, and Indo-Gangetic plains regions.

Objective

The governments of Indian states and financial institutions have developed risk-based and gender-responsive climate action plans.

Approach

The project enhances climate resilience through scientifically grounded, gender-responsive models aligned with the State Action Plans for Climate Change (SAPCCs) of Indian states. Policy makers are to gain access to funding from public and private institutions.

Core activities include:

• In collaboration with state and central governments in India, as well as civil society institutions, the project promotes the participation of women in local development planning.
• Targeted training and development programmes improve the skills of decision-makers, organisations, and civil society to address climate risks and build climate resilience.
• The project works with financial institutions to expand the use and understanding of climate financing instruments for adaptive business models.

Last update: March 2025