India’s next phase of industrial growth must be built around sustainability, resilience, and innovation. As global supply chains shift and climate risks intensify, the article highlights how clean energy, circular manufacturing, resource efficiency, and ESG compliance are becoming central to competitiveness under Make in India 2.0. It emphasizes that future-ready industries will need to align with net-zero goals, green finance, and digital transformation, while policymakers and businesses collaborate to scale low-carbon technologies. The article concludes that sustainability is no longer an add-on but a core driver of industrial leadership, exports, and long-term economic growth for India.

Deepa Sai is a sustainability professional and thought leader working at the intersection of climate action, responsible business, and impact-driven innovation. She is known for translating complex sustainability ideas into practical strategies, storytelling, and advocacy for organisations and communities. Through her work, she focuses on circular economy, climate resilience, and inclusive growth, helping drive meaningful environmental and social change.

Tripura is emerging as a model for nature-led development. It showcases the state’s use of bamboo as a sustainable livelihood resource, promotion of organic farming, and strong focus on forest conservation to balance economic growth with environmental protection. The article underscores Tripura’s community-driven approach, where traditional knowledge and local participation play a key role in building a green, resilient economy while preserving biodiversity.

The Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines 2023 aim to make India’s ports more sustainable and environmentally responsible. The framework encourages ports to adopt renewable energy, waste management, carbon neutrality, and ecosystem conservation measures while promoting economic growth through the Blue Economy. It emphasizes reducing the maritime sector’s carbon footprint via shore power use, electric vehicles, green hydrogen, and improved energy efficiency. The article highlights that successful implementation will require strong governance, technological innovation, and collaboration between government, industry, and local communities to balance maritime expansion with environmental protection.

Nishtha Kawrani has always had a deep love for words, shaped by over five years of writing and a lasting fondness for fiction. At The Better India, she writes about lifestyle, sustainability, travel, and changemakers shaping everyday life. With a background in media and marketing, she enjoys turning conscious choices and real people into stories that inspire optimism and action.

Urban forests in Indian cities are emerging as vital tools against rising urban heat, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Cities like Hyderabad, Pune, and Delhi are developing green corridors and Miyawaki-style forests to lower surface temperatures and improve air quality. However, experts caution that poor planning and species selection can limit their effectiveness. Urban forests must reflect local ecology, provide community access, and integrate with city planning to truly support both people and ecosystems. The article stresses that inclusive, science-based, and community-driven greening strategies are essential for cities to harness nature’s cooling power while ensuring long-term ecological balance.

The Indian government has released draft guidelines to assign unique identification numbers termed “Battery Pack Aadhaar”; to electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This system aims to improve traceability, recycling, and sustainability throughout a battery’s lifecycle. The initiative will help monitor battery performance, ensure safe disposal or reuse, and support circular economy goals by tracking materials from production to end-of-life. It reflects India’s broader effort to build a transparent, accountable, and sustainable EV ecosystem.

Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT) in promoting eco-friendly and responsible tourism across South Asia. The initiative focuses on rewilding landscapes, supporting local communities, and encouraging wildlife conservation through tourism. By setting sustainability standards for lodges and tour operators, TOFT helps reduce the ecological footprint of travel while generating livelihoods for rural populations. The article emphasizes that TOFT’s model demonstrates how tourism, when managed responsibly, can become a force for conservation and community empowerment in the region.

India’s real estate sector is undergoing a major sustainability transformation. With growing climate concerns, regulatory pushes, and rising environmental awareness among buyers, developers are increasingly adopting green building practices, energy-efficient designs, and eco-friendly materials. It highlights the rapid rise of LEED- and IGBC-certified projects, showcasing how both commercial and residential properties are integrating solar power, rainwater harvesting, waste management, and smart energy systems to reduce carbon footprints and operational costs. Additionally, ESG mandates, corporate responsibility goals, and government incentives such as the Green Building Rating System are accelerating this shift. Sustainability is no longer optional in Indian real estate—it’s becoming a core value driver, shaping market demand, investment decisions, and the future of urban development toward a low-carbon, resilient built environment.