Establishing a dedicated green bank could accelerate India’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Despite strong climate goals and growing renewable investments, India faces a massive financing gap for clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and green technologies. A green bank—focused on mobilizing private capital, de-risking investments, and supporting innovative green projects—could bridge this gap. The article highlights global models from the US, UK, and Australia, showing how such institutions attract long-term investment. It concludes that a well-designed Indian green bank could strengthen climate finance, support sustainable growth, and help the country meet its net-zero targets efficiently.

Climate change is displacing millions of children across one of the world’s most vulnerable regions. South Asia faces intensifying floods, cyclones, droughts, and heatwaves, forcing families from their homes and disrupting children’s access to education, healthcare, and protection. Between 2016 and 2021, nearly 12 million children in South Asia were displaced by climate-related disasters, the highest figure globally. UNICEF calls for stronger early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, social protection programs, and safe migration pathways to protect children. It also urges governments to integrate climate resilience into education and health systems, and to prioritize children’s voices in policy decisions.

Hybrid crops—created by cross-breeding two plant varieties—are emerging as a key solution to climate change–driven challenges like drought, heat, and pests. While traditional crops struggle with erratic weather, hybrids offer greater resilience, yield stability, and adaptability. Researchers are developing hybrid maize, rice, and wheat that thrive under extreme conditions while improving water-use efficiency and nutrient uptake. However, concerns remain about dependence on seed companies, biodiversity loss, and higher seed costs. Experts stress public-private partnerships and local breeding programs to ensure equitable access and protect crop diversity.

As Bengaluru’s average temperatures rises, the city’s 25,000 waste workers—mostly women from marginalized communities—are bearing the brunt of extreme heat with little support. A study by HeatWatch and Hasiru Dala shows how rising land surface temperatures, declining green cover, and poor infrastructure are worsening their health, productivity, and income. Workers face dehydration, fainting spells, and heat-induced illnesses, often without access to clean water, toilets, or medical care. Economic losses are mounting as costs rise and workdays are lost. Experts call for urgent measures such as expanding insurance and healthcare coverage, improving waste centre facilities, and integrating heat protection into city policy.

A study led by Professor Jonghun Kam at POSTECH warns that Pakistan faces a future of recurring “super floods” and “extreme droughts,” driven by accelerating global warming. Using AI to analyze historical river flow data, researchers found that the upper Indus River may experience severe floods or droughts roughly every 15 years, while nearby rivers could face such extremes every 11 years. These shifts threaten agriculture, energy, and livelihoods, especially as melting glaciers complicate water management. The study calls for region-specific water strategies and improved forecasting, positioning AI as a crucial tool for climate adaptation in vulnerable regions.

A new study by Chalmers University reveals that ships passing through shallow, methane-rich waters release significant bursts of methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than CO₂. The turbulence from ship propellers and seafloor pressure changes push dissolved methane from sediments into the atmosphere, with emissions up to 20 times higher than undisturbed areas. Container and cruise ships are the biggest contributors due to hull and propeller designs. This overlooked source means global shipping’s climate impact is being underestimated, underscoring the need for better monitoring and regulation of methane emissions in major shipping lanes.

Climate change is driving up food inflation in India by disrupting the production of key kitchen staples—tomato, onion, and potato (TOP crops). Extreme heatwaves and erratic rainfall over the past five years have slashed yields, damaged crops in fields and storage, and triggered sharp price spikes, with vegetable inflation reaching up to 42% in 2024. Small farmers are hit hardest due to limited storage and transport infrastructure. Experts recommend climate-resilient crop varieties, stronger supply chains, weather-based price forecasting, and social protections to safeguard both producers and consumers from climate-driven food crises.

Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have been devastated by record-breaking rainfall, the heaviest in decades, leading to overflowing rivers, dam releases, and widespread flooding. Punjab has lost 30 lives, seen 1,400 villages inundated, and 1.48 lakh hectares of crops destroyed, while Himachal reported 310 deaths and damages of nearly ₹3,000 crore. Experts attribute the crisis to climate change intensifying western disturbances alongside the monsoon, but also to poor preparedness, unregulated construction, deforestation, and faulty development models. Governments are demanding massive relief packages, while critics accuse state authorities of negligence, underscoring the urgent need for climate-resilient planning.