Climate change mitigation and adaptation is a priority area of Indo-German cooperation. Together, India and Germany strive to set examples for ambitious climate action – to reduce emissions and vulnerability and to boost adaptive capacity and resilience. The GSDP exemplifies the leading role the two countries play as catalysts for consistent and effective climate action.

To realise these joint ambitions, India and Germany work across a variety of areas that touch on all GSDP topics: from boosting solar and wind energy to building climate-resilient cities and rural communities, climate proof food and transport systems, and a low-emission circular economy. The vast majority of Indo-German development projects contribute to the implementation of the Paris Agreement. At the same time, the GSDP partners are focussing on enabling factors like green financing and skills, carbon markets, and adaptation planning as well as adaptive social protection.

The climate ambition of the GSDP partners is reflected in the respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which contain the countries’ mitigation and adaptation goals.

India’s NDCs

India's NDC also emphasise sustainable development, climate adaptation, resilience-building, as well as financial and technological support from developed countries.

Germany's contribution to the NDC of the European Union

To reach these targets, Germany is investing heavily in renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and advancing sustainable transportation and industrial practices. Additionally, Germany’s contribution to the NDC of the EU emphasises the importance of international cooperation and support for developing countries in their climate efforts.

To realise their joint climate ambition, the GSDP partners are pursuing a range of cooperation formats to boost mitigation, adaptation, and resilience actions. Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) has been funding projects in support of India’s climate action since 2008, focussing on greenhouse gas mitigation, adaptation to climate change, carbon sinks and forests, and biodiversity. With the Indo-German Environment Forum, the two countries have also established a platform for bilateral exchange on environmental challenges and international climate policy. This is where both countries discuss how to move forward on some of the most important issues around climate, biodiversity, and nature conservation. As Parties to the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and members of the G20, the India-led International Solar Alliance, and the Germany-led InsuResilience Initiative, the GSDP partners are active in driving ambitious climate policy all around the world. In addition, the two countries are in constant dialogue through the EU-India Strategic Partnership, which includes climate change and clean energy as key areas of cooperation.

With the GSDP, Germany and India demonstrate that they are fully committed to the goals of the Paris Agreement and reconfirm the ambition for a net zero and climate resilient future.