Climate Change

In the post-Paris agreement era, accelerating climate action is the biggest hope to ensure a safe future for all. In India, our work focuses on climate modelling to develop a better understanding of climate variability at regional scales. We study the risks and vulnerabilities of key sectors such as water, health, agriculture and industry. Our work in climate science is inextricably linked to policy research and recommendations for the Indian government to shape its domestic policies, as well as contribute to its position in global negotiations. Through a number of initiatives, we are beginning to extend our knowledge and research in climate science and policy to other emerging economies.

climate

NEW IN CLIMATE

  • Financing

    Project Report

    Financing Decarbonization of Indian Secondary Steel Sector: Towards an Enabling Environment

    Read more

  •  

    urban-heat

    Theme

    HFCs – Enabling efficient refrigerant transitions

    Read more

  • climate change video

     

    Research paper

    A Transformative Global Goal on Adaptation: Scope, Science and Policy

    Read more

  • climate

    Policy Brief

    Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC): A technology landscape, challenges and opportunities for sustainable cooling

    Read more

  • Adaptation future

    Article

    Urban Flood Analysis and Early Warning Solution for Disaster Resilience

    Read more

Projects

Articles

WSDS2024: Launch of MTCoE’s Daylight Plugin Tool at the thematic session "Advancing Sustainable Building Practices: Role of Laboratories and State-of-the-art Infrastructure to Enhance Energy Efficiency & Thermal Comfort."

Ms Shiren Pandita

The session was conducted as a part of the World Sustainable Development Summit 2024, the only leading sustainable development summit in the Global South. Held on February 8th, 2024, at the India Habitat Centre, it focused on exploring the potential of smart technologies and data analytics in managing energy and optimizing building performance, emphasizing the significance of human-centric design for improving occupant comfort.

Heat Waves and Action Plans: How Does India Fare?

While preparedness, alerts and warnings, and other measures of heat action plans have vastly reduced the impact of heat waves, the duration and frequency of climate-induced heat waves are on the rise. Jency Samuel says that as heat waves impact people’s health and livelihood, and the nation’s economy adversely, there is a need to improve and better implement the heat action plans.

Urban Flood Analysis and Early Warning Solution for Disaster Resilience

Mr Prasoon Singh

Abstract

The objective of this work is to present the experimental findings of an urban flood early warning system developed by combining a mesoscale numerical weather prediction model (WRF) forecast with a distributed hydrologic modeling system. Hydrodynamic models have been used in the simulation of intricate and interrelated dynamic systems, such as urban watersheds and urban water infrastructure. The use of these models in assessing flood hazard, vulnerability, and risk is well-established.

Dr Vibha Dhawan meets heads of governments of Japan and Guyana

Director General brings focus on TERI’s multiple initiatives during visits to Japan, Guyana and the United States

TERI director general Dr Vibha Dhawan met heads of government of Japan and Guyana, and the Indian Ambassador to the United States of America (USA) in the month of October.

Brahmapuram Landfill Fire: Points towards the Need for Decentralized Waste Management

In this article, Sharada Balasubramanian highlights that a series of flames have been breaking out, year after year, at the Brahmapuram landfill in Kerala. Yet, it was not taken seriously. This year, the massive uncontrollable fire breakout urged the Kochi Corporation to take serious steps to resolve this issue as it impacted the health of people and the environment. Brahmapuram is the only landfill that is a bone of contention in Kerala, where solid waste management, otherwise is decentralized and systematic.

Mainstreaming Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Infrastructure For Long Lasting Impacts

Ms Manisha Jain

In this article, Manisha Jain and Dr Kriti Akansha highlight that it is necessary to support long-term thinking, transformation, flexibility and innovation while taking the associated climate risks into consideration to attain climate resilience. There is a need for a robust framework that ensures climate policies are integrated into all sectors and that planning, implementation, and evaluation are strictly followed.

Events

Training on Climate Resilient Integrated Watershed Management

April 12, 2025
to April 12, 2025

TERI is organizing a training program on Climate Resilient Integrated Watershed Management on 12th April 2025 at Silver Oak, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, India

Background

Over 80% of India’s population lives in districts vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, depleting groundwater, retreating glaciers, severe cyclones, and rising sea levels threaten livelihoods, food security, and the economy. Urban areas, particularly those with unplanned development, face increasing risks from extreme heat, flooding, and disease.

CEO Forum at WSDS 2025

March 6, 2025
to March 6, 2025

WSDS 2025 Thematic Track-Watershed Management for Agricultural Resilience: Challenges, Solutions, and Sustainable Development

March 5, 2025
to March 5, 2025

Rural communities throughout India face various challenges related to climate change and its variability, coupled with declining farm productivity and livelihood due to depleting and degrading natural resources. Dryland agriculture in India is particularly vulnerable to climate change, given the dependence of its dense population on agriculture, excessive pressure on natural resources, and limited coping capacities. The anticipated impacts of climate change are likely to further strain already scarce land, water resources, and livelihoods.

News

India, UK, and France can be the new climate leaders

April 22, 2025
| Dr Vibha Dhawan, TERI; Ms Zerin Osho, IGSD
| Hindustan Times

The India-France-UK climate triad can work together to build coalition that not only advances their own climate goals but also offers a viable alternative to the wavering global commitment, says Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI; Ms Zerin Osho, Director, India Program, IGSD.

Environmental activists urge Fadnavis to halt riverfront development project works

April 16, 2025 |
April 16, 2025
The Times of India

Citing a report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the activists warned that increased rainfall projected to rise by 15% to 37% due to climate change could worsen flooding risk if natural flow of rivers is restricted.

Turning the Tide: Global Partnerships and Sustainable Finance

April 14, 2025
| Dr Manish Kumar Shrivastava
| The Pioneer

As climate change intensifies and inequality widens, sustainable finance has become a critical lever for driving transformative change says Dr Manish Kumar Shrivastava, Associate Director, Earth Science and Climate Change Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

WSDS 2025 calls for collaborative and inclusive approach for climate action

March 9, 2025 |
March 9, 2025
The Statesman

An urgent collective action, leading to partnerships among various stakeholders is the need of the hour to address the multifaceted challenges facing the world today, an international summit organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) here this week has underscored.

India most likely undercounting heat-related deaths: Former WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan

March 8, 2025 |
March 8, 2025
The New Indian Express

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO chief scientist and Health Ministry advisor, stated on the sidelines of TERI's World Sustainable Development Summit in New Delhi that India is "most likely" undercounting heat-related deaths as a result of a lack of robust data. However, the government is currently enhancing surveillance to mitigate the health effects of extreme conditions.

Experts discuss sustainable military infrastructure and emerging techs

March 7, 2025 |
March 7, 2025
The Times of India

Experts from premier institutions including IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IISD, CDRI, TERI, and BMTPC took part in the seminar on emerging technologies and sustainable infrastructure at Bhopal Military Station on 6 March 2025. The event was organised by The Indian Army and Military Engineering Services (MES), in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur.

Policy

Financing Just Transition: Synergies between NCQG and JTWP

November 18, 2024

The discussions and negotiations for the JTWP and the NCQG so far reflect the broader challenge of aligning global ambitions with practical actionable steps towards equitable climate action. Looking ahead, the JTWP has the potential to be a framework for deeper, more effective collaboration towards a collective narrative around implementing the Paris Agreement through just transition pathways at global as well as national scales, leading to tangible progress towards a sustainable and equitable future. This potential cannot be realized without a commensurate outcome of the NCQG process.

Road to Baku: The New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance

October 15, 2024

Climate finance plays a crucial role in climate efforts. This paper examines the evolution of the discussions on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which will be a key determinant of the success of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29). Despite recent progress, current climate finance targets and mechanisms remain inadequate. This paper analyses the positions of various countries and coalitions. Developing countries stress the responsibility of developed countries, emphasizing equity in climate finance.

Internationalizing Sustainable Lifestyles for Climate Justice

September 27, 2024

Mainstream frameworks on sustainable consumption and production fail to holistically capture downstream segments of resource consumption and production systems, especially in relation to lifestyle choices. Building on previous work by TERI, this policy brief seeks to develop composite metrics on consumption for G20 countries and discusses ways to further internationalize sustainable lifestyles.

Services

Climate change risk assessment

We generate climate projections at global and regional scales and impacts, vulnerability and adaptation assessments in key sectors using established models and our in-house super-computing facility. We also conducts GHG inventorization and mitigation analysis. We provide national and international policy analysis and review, and contribute to key issues in negotiations encompassing adaptation, mitigation, technology, and finance.

Team

Distinguished Fellow, Earth Science and Climate Change
Distinguished Fellow, Earth Science and Climate Change
Distinguished Fellow, Green Shipping
Director, Climate Change and Air Quality
Associate Director, Earth Science and Climate Change
Area Convenor, Center for Climate Change Research
Associate Fellow and Area Convenor, Centre for Climate Modelling