As north India records its wettest monsoon in over a decade, with erratic bouts of extreme rainfall and flash floods inundating cities, resulting in school shutdowns and disrupting daily life and livelihoods, the multifaceted socio-economic impacts of climate change and the need for adaptive solutions is more evident than ever. 

India’s environmental and developmental goals are closely tied to systemic transitions across its energy, urban and food systems. As climate impacts continue to intensify, these transitions are imperative across our cities, villages, industries, farms and forests to ensure resilient environmental, social and economic outcomes for India’s 1.4 billion strong population. 

WRI India’s flagship event Connect Karo recognizes the urgency of these challenges and aims to bring together key thought leaders, decision-makers, peer organizations and other stakeholders to facilitate pertinent conversations and co-create equitable and sustainable solutions across the following six areas:

Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Development

India’s development aspirations must be embedded with climate-resilient measures to ensure that development gains neither face nor lead to climate risks. Access to data-led and evidence-based tools will be vital for India to balance the twin goals of growth and climate resilience. Integral to this growth journey are India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) — employing 110 million workers and contributing 29% to the GDP. MSMEs are particularly vulnerable to climate-related risks including damage to infrastructure, increased financial risks, regulatory uncertainties, market fluctuations and supply chain disruptions. Reskilling of workers and institutional support is essential for MSMEs to shift to climate-friendly practices, stay competitive and protect livelihoods against climate disruptions.

Clean Energy Transitions

India’s clean energy transition is unfolding as one of the most ambitious and complex in the world. With a target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, India is investing heavily in solar, wind, green hydrogen and energy storage, while also modernizing its power grid for greater flexibility and resilience. From cooling requirements of a rising population exposed to heat-stress, to curbing industrial emissions, ensuring affordable, reliable electricity for its vast population and creating livelihoods in new energy sectors, clean and renewable energy is set to play a key role in India’s development story. This journey requires not only technological and financial shifts but also a socio-economic reimagining that positions India as a key player in shaping the global energy future.

Urban Resilience, Planning and Economic Development

Much of India’s growth aspirations are driven by its cities that contribute 60% to the national GDP. Indian cities are also at the forefront of the climate crisis with more than 80% of the urban population living in hazard-prone districts. With 40% of Indian population projected to be urban by 2036, building climate resilience into city planning is pertinent. As hubs of economic activity and innovation, cities can act as critical levers for advancing clean energy transitions while ensuring inclusive and equitable growth. Adapting urban planning efforts to unique geographies and city regions will be critical for cities to live up to their potential as drivers of sustainable economic growth. From restoring natural resources like waterbodies and green spaces to building resilience against urban flooding and heat, cities need to turn to adaptive solutions that are evidence-based and co-created with communities.

Integrated Transport and Electric Mobility

Mobility systems are the lifelines of urban India and are instrumental in connecting people to services and opportunities. Efficient mobility systems can not only help optimize the way cities are run and reduce greenhouse emissions but also improve the everyday experiences of millions of commuters. As urban India expands and mobility systems shift toward low-carbon, electric vehicles, the sector must prepare for a just and inclusive transition in the automotive industry. From safer streets and last-mile connectivity to integrated access to public transport, India must reimagine mobility in ways that centre people, nature and climate.

Clean Air Action

Managing air quality is a pressing concern for India — home to 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities. Targeted efforts like reducing transport-related emissions, creating low-emission zones, and reducing open waste burning can help improve air quality in urban areas. However, tackling the problem at scale requires an airshed-level, data-based approach to air quality management. Leveraging technology and data and fostering cross-sectoral collaborations can lead us towards actionable pathways to ensure clean air for all.

Sustainable Food and Land Use Systems

At the heart of much of WRI India’s efforts are building economic, social and climate-resilience of India’s urban and rural communities. As climate change impacts intensify, sustainably meeting the nutritional needs of India’s rising population is a growing challenge. Solutions such as sustainable agriculture and land restoration can lead to better livelihoods and nutritional outcomes while also mitigating climate impacts. Through dedicated, collaborative efforts to reduce food loss and food waste in the agricultural value chain, focusing on circular food systems, and recognizing the role of marginal and women farmers in the sector, India can successfully transition towards an equitable and sustainable food system that improves livelihood outcomes for people, biodiversity outcomes for nature and is resilient against a changing climate.

An Opportunity for Collaboration

As India stands at the cusp of opportunity, many challenges lie in its path. Navigating these challenges will be key to not just reaching India’s development goals but also transforming the lives of people across the country’s urban and rural landscape.

However, each of these endeavors requires expertise and experience to come together. Through dialogue between grassroots organizations, government and industry stakeholders, academia, sector experts, non-government organizations and practitioners, Connect Karo 2025 seeks to find ways to meet these challenges and co-create solutions that work. 

Join us on 2nd and 3rd September for Connect Karo 2025 at India Habitat Centre. Featuring over 40 sessions and more than 150 speakers, the two-day event will feature discussions that explore and seek to advance efforts across these six themes. 

Learn more at connectkaro.org.