India Must Urgently Scale Up Climate Adaptation In Agriculture & Food Sectors: Climate Group

New Delhi, May 28 (KNN) As climate risks to food supply chains intensify, Climate Group, a leading international climate organisation, has called for immediate and collective action across India’s agriculture and food industries.

The Organisation has warned that extreme heat, erratic monsoon patterns, and severe groundwater stress are increasingly threatening India's food supply chains. 

Divya Sharma, India Executive Director, Climate Group, said, "Resilience in agriculture and food sectors is urgent and requires everyone's participation — from farmers to large businesses, industry associations and the government," PTI reported.

Industry Coalition in the Works

To fast-track the transition to sustainable food systems, an industry-led coalition supported by the Climate Group is currently being developed. 

On the sidelines of the Climate Group Asia Action Summit and the Philanthropy Asia Summit, held in Singapore from May 18 to 20, Sharma noted, "The coalition is convening key actors across businesses and industry associations to increase demand and supply of nutritious, low emissions, sustainable food products," as quoted by PTI.

According to the Climate Risk Index (CRI), India ranks as the ninth most-vulnerable country to climate change globally.

India's Climate Leadership

Sharma acknowledged India's progress on the broader climate front, pointing to its strong push in renewable energy and electric vehicle adoption. The country is on track towards its target of 500 GW of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

India has also played a founding role in establishing international frameworks such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, reflecting its commitment to both domestic action and global climate cooperation, she highlighted.

Decarbonisation Challenges Ahead

Sharma flagged the decarbonisation of steel and concrete industries as a significant challenge, given the mounting pressure on both sectors to expand production in line with India's rapid economic development. She noted that navigating this balance would be critical in an uncertain global geopolitical environment.

"Decarbonising India's economy is extremely important, particularly amidst an uncertain global geopolitical environment and its impacts on national and international markets. With its trajectory though, the country is capable to achieve Net Zero before 2070," she added.

(KNN Bureau)