When India committed to achieving Net Zero by 2070 at COP26, the world took notice. The target was ambitious, reflecting the urgency of climate action, yet realistic given India’s developmental needs. As the world’s third-largest emitter and the fifth-largest economy, India’s climate commitments carry global significance, not just for emissions reduction, but for setting a model of sustainable growth in the Global South.
But achieving Net Zero is not solely the government’s responsibility. For climate action, Indian companies large corporations, small and medium businesses, and even startups — hold the levers of innovation scale, and market influence. Their choices today will determine whether Net Zero 2070 remains a distant ambition or evolves into a lived reality.
For businesses, this transition is not just about compliance. It’s a once-in-a-century strategic opportunity – to lead in green innovation, unlock ESG-driven investments, and gain competitive advantage in global markets increasingly demanding sustainable operations.
India’s Net Zero Vision
India’s climate roadmap is anchored in key milestones:
- 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030
- 50% of total energy needs met from renewables by 2030
- 45% reduction in carbon intensity of GDP by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels)
- Net Zero by 2070
The significance of this pathway lies in balancing two competing realities: India’s energy demand is projected to grow by 35% by 2030, yet it must sharply reduce dependence on coal, which still powers ~70% of electricity generation.
For enterprises, this means rethinking energy sourcing, supply chains, and product design, embedding corporate sustainability in India into long-term strategies. India’s success depends on how quickly businesses embrace green transformation alongside growth.
Enterprise Levers for Change
1. Decarbonizing Supply Chains
Over 70% of global emissions are linked to supply chains. For Indian exporters, this is critical—multinational buyers in Europe and the US are enforcing Scope 3 emission disclosures and sustainability audits.
- Large enterprises: Can mandate low-carbon practices for suppliers and incentivize greener logistics.
- SMEs: Must adopt affordable energy audits, rooftop solar, and efficiency upgrades to remain competitive.
Example: Walmart’s Project Gigaton encourages Indian suppliers to cut one billion tons of greenhouse gases by 2030, reshaping supply chain practices globally.
2. Investing in Clean Tech and the Circular Economy
Clean technology adoption is both a necessity and a growth engine.
- Green Hydrogen: Reliance Industries plans to become the world’s largest producer by 2030, cutting industrial emissions.
- Circular Economy: India’s $45 billion waste management market is ripe for innovation in recycling, reuse, and material recovery.
- Electric Mobility: Mahindra and Tata Motors are expanding EV fleets, directly reducing oil imports and emissions.
Enterprises investing early in these technologies are not only decarbonizing but creating new revenue streams. Such clean tech innovation by Indian enterprises is a key driver of Net Zero transformation.
3. ESG Reporting and Climate Disclosures
Transparency is now the backbone of credibility. With SEBI mandating Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reports (BRSR) for the top 1000 listed companies, ESG reporting has entered mainstream compliance.
Forward-looking companies are:
- Using AI platforms to automate ESG data collection and analysis.
- Linking sustainability performance to executive KPIs.
- Going beyond compliance to align with global frameworks like TCFD, GRI, and SASB, ensuring global investor confidence.
4. Collaboration Across Ecosystems
Sustainability challenges cannot be solved in silos. Enterprises need to engage across ecosystems:
- Startups: Partner with cleantech innovators in areas like carbon capture and alternative energy.
- Academia: Collaborate on R&D for sustainable agriculture and renewable technologies.
- Government: Tap into PLI schemes, green financing instruments, and carbon market frameworks.
Example: The Indian Government’s Green Hydrogen Mission is attracting partnerships between energy giants, startups, and research institutions, creating an entire value chain for a new industry. These efforts strengthen the Indian corporate climate strategy and accelerate Net Zero adoption.
Where Change Matters Most?
Manufacturing: The Decarbonization Imperative
The sector contributes ~20% to India’s GDP but is heavily carbon-intensive.
- Steel and Cement: Together account for nearly 15% of India’s CO₂ emissions. Adopting green steel technologies, clinker substitutes, and energy-efficient kilns can make a big dent.
- Electronics and Automotive: Shifting to renewable-powered plants and recycling supply chains.
Case in point: JSW Steel is piloting hydrogen-based steelmaking and targeting carbon neutrality by 2050.
Information Technology: Enabler and Example
While IT’s direct emissions footprint is modest, its indirect influence is massive.
- Green IT: Data centers consume ~2% of global electricity. Indian IT giants are moving to renewable-powered campuses and energy-efficient cooling.
- ESG Enabler: IT firms provide AI-driven platforms for global clients to track emissions, optimize energy, and ensure compliance.
Infosys became carbon neutral in 2020, showing how a service-driven sector can lead by example.
Agriculture: Decarbonizing the Rural Backbone
Agriculture contributes ~18% of India’s emissions, largely from methane (livestock) and inefficient practices.
- Precision Farming: AI and IoT-driven irrigation can reduce water and fertilizer use.
- Bio-based Alternatives: Shifting to bio-fertilizers and organic soil treatments.
- Food Supply Chains: Cold storage powered by renewables reduces waste and emissions.
Example: ITC’s e-Choupal platform digitally empowers farmers, improving efficiency while embedding sustainability in rural economies.
Case Studies – Enterprises Leading the Way
- Infosys: Achieved carbon neutrality ahead of global peers, investing in energy efficiency and 60 MW of solar power.
- Tata Power: Expanding renewable portfolio with a target of 70% clean energy capacity by 2030.
- Mahindra Group: Launched India’s first electric SUV and set a goal to be carbon neutral by 2040.
- Adani Green Energy: One of the world’s largest renewable developers, building gigawatt-scale solar and wind projects.
These pioneers highlight that climate action is compatible with profitability and scale.
From Compliance to Culture
Achieving Net Zero demands more than sustainability checklists—it requires a cultural shift.
- Leadership Commitment: Boards must integrate climate action into long-term business strategy.
- Operational Integration: Every business unit—procurement, logistics, HR, R&D—should have sustainability-linked targets.
- Employee Engagement: Internal campaigns, green workplace initiatives, and sustainability-linked incentives build ownership at all levels.
A cultural embrace of sustainability ensures that climate goals survive leadership changes and economic cycles.
The Strategic Opportunity Ahead
Net Zero 2070 is not just an environmental mandate—it is a strategic business transformation.
- Capital Access: ESG-aligned investments are expected to reach $53 trillion globally by 2025. Indian firms that align with ESG principles will attract this pool.
- Resilient Growth: Companies reducing emissions are better protected from carbon taxes, regulatory risks, and global supply chain disruptions.
- Innovation Advantage: Green markets—EVs, clean hydrogen, sustainable packaging—represent trillion-dollar opportunities.
The enterprises that act early will set industry benchmarks, shape policy frameworks, and define India’s global competitiveness in the decades ahead.
India’s Net Zero 2070 pledge is monumental, but its realization hinges on enterprise action. From decarbonizing supply chains to embedding ESG culture, businesses are not just contributors—they are catalysts of transformation.
The journey is long, but the clock is ticking. For enterprises, Net Zero is no longer a “future responsibility.” It is today’s strategic imperative—a chance to innovate, lead, and secure relevance in a climate-conscious global economy.
The future of India’s growth story will be written by businesses that dare to align profit with purpose, and innovation with sustainability.
