India has made measurable progress in climate resilience, climbing to 15th place in the Global Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025, up from 10th in the previous year. Released by Germanwatch during the UN Climate Summit (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, the report highlights India’s growing strength in managing and mitigating climate-related disasters.
In the long-term index (1995–2024), India also improved from 8th to 9th place — a sign of reduced vulnerability. Over the past three decades, India has endured 430 extreme weather events, over 80,000 fatalities, and USD 170 billion in losses, but new frameworks and preparedness systems have started to yield results.
Germanwatch credits India’s progress to enhanced early warning systems, the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), and its leadership in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). The country’s focus on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable energy, and urban heatwave management has strengthened its adaptive capacity.
Experts note that while India’s position reflects substantial progress, climate shocks like floods, cyclones, and heatwaves remain major threats. Sustained investment in green infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, and community-based adaptation is essential for long-term resilience.
