India is the world’s 3rd largest GHG emitter, committed to net-zero by 2070, 45% emissions intensity reduction by 2030, and 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme is live. EU CBAM is impacting exporters. Climate is now a board-level imperative for every Indian listed company.
India is simultaneously one of the world’s largest emitters and one of the most climate-vulnerable nations. With 1.4 billion people, a $3.5 trillion economy heavily dependent on monsoon patterns, and 7,500 km of coastline, climate change is not an abstract risk — it is an existential business challenge.
Annual CO2 emissions (2023), behind China and the USA. Per capita emissions still low (~2.9 tCO2/capita) but rising with industrialisation.
Share of coal in India’s primary energy mix. Energy transition is the largest decarbonisation challenge — and the largest opportunity.
Districts exposed to climate hazards. Heat stress, floods, cyclones, droughts, and water scarcity affect every sector of the Indian economy.
Estimated annual climate-related losses in India. Agriculture, infrastructure, and real estate bear the largest physical risk burden.
India’s climate regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. Companies need to understand these frameworks to manage compliance risk and capture transition opportunities.
India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (August 2022) commits to: 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 (from 2005 baseline), 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, and net-zero by 2070. These targets cascade into sectoral mandates affecting every listed company.
India’s compliance carbon market notified under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022. Obligated entities in designated consumer sectors (steel, cement, aluminium, power, fertiliser, textiles, chemicals) will face emission reduction targets. MRV framework, carbon credit registry, and trading mechanisms are being operationalised.
National Action Plan on Climate Change with 8 missions: National Solar Mission, Enhanced Energy Efficiency (PAT), Sustainable Habitat, Water, Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture, and Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change. State Action Plans (SAPCCs) across all 28 states and 8 UTs.
Perform, Achieve and Trade — BEE’s flagship energy efficiency scheme for designated consumers. Covers ~1,000 industrial units across 13 sectors. Energy savings certificates (ESCerts) tradeable on energy exchanges. Non-compliance penalties under the Energy Conservation Act.
≤19,744 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission targeting 5 MMT green hydrogen production capacity by 2030. Strategic focus areas: green steel, green ammonia, refining, fertiliser. PLI incentives for electrolyser manufacturing. Hydrogen purchase obligations for refineries and fertiliser plants.
Renewable Purchase Obligations for obligated entities (DISCOMs, open access consumers, captive users). RPO trajectory increasing to 43% by 2030 including hydropower purchase obligation (HPO). Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) tradeable on power exchanges for compliance.
BRSR Principle 6 (Environment) and BRSR Core both require climate-related disclosures. Here is what Indian listed companies must report.
SEBI is studying ISSB (IFRS S2) adoption for India, which would add climate scenario analysis, transition plans, and physical risk disclosure requirements to the BRSR framework.
The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) creates a carbon price on imports into the EU. Indian exporters in affected sectors face significant financial exposure.
CBAM advisory is delivered by RSustain UK as part of the RSustain Group. Services include embedded emissions calculation, CBAM reporting, decarbonisation roadmap to reduce CBAM exposure, and verification coordination.
RSustain UK CBAM Advisory ↗Carbon and climate consulting is delivered by specialised group entities. Contact us for India-specific enquiries and we will connect you with the right team.
GHG inventory (Scope 1/2/3), emission factor selection, organisational boundaries, base year recalculation, carbon footprint reporting per ISO 14064 and GHG Protocol.
RSustain Carbon ↗SBTi target setting, sector decarbonisation pathways, transition plan development, renewable energy procurement strategy, and technology assessment for Indian industries.
RSustain Carbon ↗Physical and transition risk assessment. Scenario analysis (1.5°C / 2°C / 3°C+ pathways). ISSB/IFRS S2 alignment. RBI climate stress testing for financial institutions.
RSustain Carbon ↗Independent verification of GHG statements under ISO 14064-3 and ISAE 3410. GAB-accredited verification body. Limited and reasonable assurance levels.
RSustain Carbon ↗India CCTS compliance credits, voluntary carbon market (Verra, Gold Standard), carbon credit quality assessment, Article 6 advisory, and offset portfolio strategy.
RSustain Carbon ↗CBAM definitive phase compliance for Indian exporters. Embedded emissions calculation, CBAM certificates, quarterly reporting, and decarbonisation roadmap.
RSustain UK ↗Digital platforms and tools for climate risk assessment, GHG management, and climate-related reporting.
676-district climate resilience index for India. Physical climate risk mapping across heat stress, precipitation, floods, cyclones, drought, and air quality. Built on CHIRPS, NASA POWER, USGS, and GADM data.
Explore ResilientPulse ↗Map Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions across your value chain. India-specific emission factors. Essential for BRSR P6, BRSR Core, and CCTS readiness.
Launch tool →Physical climate risk assessment for Indian operations. Heat stress, flood risk, water scarcity, and cyclone exposure mapping using IPCC AR6 projections.
Launch tool →EU Carbon Border Adjustment readiness assessment for Indian exporters. Determine your CBAM exposure and compliance requirements.
Try free →Estimate EU carbon border duty liability for steel, aluminium, cement, and fertiliser exports. Embedded emissions analysis with EU ETS price scenarios.
Launch tool →Quick screening tool to identify your major emission sources and generate a preliminary carbon profile. Starting point for companies beginning their GHG journey.
Try free →Climate data feeds directly into BRSR Principle 6 and BRSR Core environment attributes
Decarbonisation is typically the largest strategic theme in any sustainability roadmap
Climate risk and GHG assessment for EIA studies
Third-party assurance of GHG data under ISAE 3410
CCTS is India’s compliance carbon market, notified under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) administers the scheme. Obligated entities in designated consumer sectors (currently PAT-covered sectors: steel, cement, aluminium, power, fertiliser, textiles, chemicals, and others) will receive emission intensity reduction targets. Companies that exceed targets earn carbon credits; those that fall short must purchase credits or face penalties. The scheme includes a registry, trading platform, and MRV (Measurement, Reporting, Verification) framework.
Yes. BRSR Essential Indicators require Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions (in tCO2e) and intensity per rupee of turnover. Scope 3 is a Leadership Indicator (voluntary but expected for large companies). BRSR Core requires third-party assurance of GHG and energy data for top 1,000 companies (phased). SEBI is also studying ISSB (IFRS S2) adoption, which would add climate scenario analysis and transition planning requirements.
CBAM requires EU importers to purchase carbon certificates based on the embedded emissions of imported goods. Indian exporters of iron & steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, and hydrogen are directly affected. From January 2026, EU importers must pay for CBAM certificates at the EU ETS carbon price (currently €60–80/tCO2). The financial impact for Indian steel exporters alone is estimated at $2–4 per tonne of steel in the near term, rising as free EU ETS allocations phase out by 2034. Companies can reduce exposure by decarbonising production and documenting verified emissions.
SBTi targets are not mandatory in India but are increasingly expected by institutional investors, ESG rating agencies (CDP, MSCI), and global customers. Over 100 Indian companies have committed to or set SBTi targets. SBTi alignment strengthens BRSR Leadership disclosures, improves CDP scores, and demonstrates credible net-zero commitment. For companies not ready for SBTi, intensity-based emission reduction targets aligned with India’s NDC are a credible intermediate step.
Carbon management and climate advisory services are delivered by specialised RSustain Group entities: RSustain Carbon (rsustain.org) handles GHG inventories, net-zero planning, CCTS, carbon credits, and climate risk. RSustain UK (rsustain.co.uk) handles EU CBAM advisory. RSustain India provides India-specific tools (ScopeTracer, ClimateAdapt, CBAM calculators) and integrates climate data into BRSR reporting. Contact our India office and we will connect you with the right team.
Contact us and we will connect you with the right RSustain Group team for carbon management, net-zero planning, CCTS compliance, or CBAM advisory.