NEW DELHI: India’s critical role in achieving global climate goals lies in its potential to lead through innovation, strategic partnerships and scalable climate solutions, said Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund. In an interview with PTI, he described India’s unique position as an emerging economy that balances rapid economic growth with ambitious climate goals.
Krupp stressed that while the world is lagging in addressing the climate crisis, countries like India have the opportunity to accelerate progress.
“India aspires to become one of the world’s top three economies while keeping its climate goals in focus. If India can successfully produce energy-efficient goods, increase renewable energy and adopt low-carbon manufacturing, it would have a profound global impact,” he said.
The Environmental Defense Fund or EDF is a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in the United States. The group is known for its work on issues including global warming, ecosystem restoration, oceans and human health, and advocates for using science, economics and sound law to find environmental solutions that work.
Krupp emphasized the importance of innovative financial mechanisms, such as blended financing, to reduce the risk of large-scale projects, such as solar parks and green hydrogen plants.
He also highlighted India’s strength in replicating successful national programs such as the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) program for LED light bulbs, which could be extended to energy-efficient ceiling fans and advanced cooling technologies.
“India’s ability to scale up its own successes offers lessons not only for itself but also for other countries in the Global South,” he added.
India’s efforts to reduce methane emissions, particularly in agriculture and waste management, were highlighted as a critical area. Krupp praised initiatives such as the National Bioenergy Program, which converts organic waste into energy, and growing private sector investments in renewable energy.
However, he urged further progress in methane capture infrastructure, low-methane rice cultivation and community-level biogas systems.
On renewable energy, Krupp highlighted India’s ambitious goals, including achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. He cited projects such as Modhera, India’s first solarized village in Gujarat, as exemplary models.
“Challenges such as energy storage costs and intermittency in renewable generation remain, but with advanced storage technologies and simplified regulatory approvals, these obstacles can be overcome,” he said.
On the technology front, Krupp was optimistic about India’s contributions to the climate technology ecosystem. He highlighted Indian innovations in electric mobility, digital tools for dairy productivity and IoT applications in agriculture. “India’s climate technology solutions are designed for the unique context of emerging economies and offer scalable and affordable pathways to global adoption,” he noted.
He also recognized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and big data to advance climate solutions.
“AI can optimize clean energy use, improve weather forecasting, and improve power system resilience. But as AI grows, energy demand could skyrocket, and we must ensure this growth is met with renewable energy instead of fossil fuels,” Krupp warned.
India’s net zero target for 2070 was described as a balanced approach between economic growth and climate responsibilities.
Krupp highlighted the synergy between central policies and state-level climate action plans, which he believes will help India achieve its goals.
“If India aligns its policies, the efforts of the private sector and its immense pool of skilled talent, it will not only achieve its net zero emissions goals but also create jobs and ensure energy security,” he said.
On urban planning, Krupp pointed to the Smart Cities Mission and sustainable mobility solutions as key to India’s climate resilience.
However, it highlighted the need for climate-integrated urban strategies, such as electric public transport and energy-efficient retrofits for older buildings, to address challenges such as urban sprawl and inadequate infrastructure.
Krupp called for global technical partnerships to support India’s innovation hubs, particularly in areas such as nuclear power and low-carbon manufacturing.