Mumbai: India’s path to net-zero may hinge as much on the quality of corporate climate disclosures as on the scale of its green investments, according to insights from Uniqus Consultech’s latest Sustainability & Climate Pulse. The report highlights that while India is expected to need USD 22.7 trillion in investments by 2070 to meet its net-zero ambitions, it faces a USD 6.5 trillion funding gap, making access to international capital more critical than ever, according to a press release.
The analysis comes at a time when India’s sustainability ambitions are confronting a twin challenge: financing the energy transition while ensuring climate projects deliver measurable outcomes. According to the report, international finance could contribute up to 42% of the capital required for India’s net-zero journey, increasing pressure on companies to strengthen transparency around transition plans and sustainability performance.
Adding urgency is the explosive growth of India’s digital economy. Data center capacity has surged from 375 MW in 2020 to nearly 1,575 MW, driven by AI adoption and rising demand for high-performance computing. While growth is strengthening India’s digital infrastructure, it is also intensifying concerns about power consumption, renewable energy availability, and water security.
The report also flags concerns around the implementation of environmental initiatives. A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit found that the Green India Mission achieved only 0.03 million hectares of additional forest cover against a target of 1.4 million hectares between 2015-16 and 2024-25, representing a 97.57% shortfall, raising questions around monitoring, accountability, and the effectiveness of land-based climate solutions.
“The conversation around sustainability in India is shifting from ambition to execution. As organizations compete for capital from investors applying stricter climate risk and disclosure criteria, robust transition plans and credible sustainability disclosures are becoming central to financing decisions rather than compliance exercises. The companies that can clearly demonstrate how they will decarbonize, manage climate risks, and allocate capital will be best placed to attract investment and create long-term value,” said Anu Chaudhary, Partner and Global Head, Sustainability & Climate Consulting (SCC), Uniqus Consultech.
According to Uniqus, the convergence of climate regulation, investor scrutiny, and capital requirements means sustainability reporting is a factor in financing and investment decisions. Businesses that embed climate considerations into investment, infrastructure, and operational decisions today are likely to gain a competitive edge as India scales its transition to a low-carbon economy.
