The world is experiencing massive disruptions across geopolitical, technological, economic, and climate fronts. In the midst of it all, there is an opportunity to future-proof India’s economy and ensure lives and livelihoods are protected while our developmental goals are met, because the climate crisis will only accelerate these uncertainties.

As global demand for green products and services accelerates, India has a chance to shape an inclusive growth story that benefits every layer of India’s economy — farmers, small and medium enterprises, startups, and large industries alike. Investing now in emerging clean technologies is not just a climate imperative but a strategic economic move — one that could future-proof our economy and position India as a global leader in the green transition. China began investing in clean technologies more than two decades ago — ranging from solar panels and batteries to electric vehicles — and today dominates many of these global markets. India, too, has taken massive strides in this direction over the last decade. It must now double down on the next frontiers of clean tech areas, not only to meet our own rising demand, but also to become competitive and capture a share of the booming international green economy.

To be sure, the green economy is not about renewable energy alone. It is about seizing India’s comparative advantage in resource efficiency, circular production, bioeconomy and climate-resilience to unlock new jobs, drive technological innovation, and redefine India’s global competitiveness in emerging value chains. The numbers speak plainly. India’s bioeconomy — using biological resources beyond food needs for materials, energy and beyond — alone has expanded from $10 billion in 2014 to $166 billion in 2024. The ministry of science and technology projects the sector will reach $300 billion by 2030. Similarly, the circular economy — from wastewater reuse to........

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