Climate Stress Deepens Health and Economic Burden in India: ClimateRISE Alliance–Dasra Report

New Delhi, April 08, 2026: A new report by the ClimateRISE Alliance (CRA), in collaboration with Dasra, highlights the growing intersection of climate change, public health, and economic resilience in India. Titled “Under the Weather: India’s Climate-Health Intersections and Pathways to Resilience,” the report was launched during Dasra Philanthropy Week (DPW) 2026.

The report underscores that climate change is no longer just an environmental issue but a systemic challenge affecting health outcomes, livelihoods, and economic productivity. It points to significant losses caused by climate-related stressors, including heat exposure and air pollution.

According to the findings, India lost an estimated 160 billion labour hours due to heat exposure in 2021, equivalent to 5.4% of its GDP. Additionally, health losses linked to air pollution account for nearly 2% of GDP annually, reflecting the scale of the climate-health-economic burden.

The report also highlights rising health risks associated with climate stress. Heatwaves are linked to an 11.7% increase in cardiovascular-related deaths. In a country where cardiovascular diseases already contribute to nearly 28–30% of total deaths, this trend raises serious concerns.

Maternal and child health are also increasingly affected. Over the past five years, pregnant women in India experienced an average of six additional days of dangerously high temperatures annually. The report notes that heatwaves are associated with a 16% higher likelihood of preterm births, along with links to stillbirths and newborn hospitalisation.

A key observation is that climate impacts are not evenly distributed. Vulnerable populations—including women, children, informal workers, and rural communities—face disproportionate risks due to limited access to healthcare and resources. The report identifies climate stress as a multiplier that exacerbates existing inequalities rather than creating new ones.

The findings call for a more integrated approach to addressing these challenges. It emphasises that climate action, public health systems, and economic resilience strategies must be aligned to deliver effective outcomes. Integrated interventions, the report suggests, can generate co-benefits by improving health while enhancing productivity and preparedness.

The report also highlights the role of philanthropy in driving this transition. While government initiatives are advancing climate and health responses, there remains a need for catalytic funding to scale cross-sector solutions, particularly in underfunded areas such as maternal health and community resilience.

Through the ClimateRISE Alliance, Dasra aims to strengthen collaboration across stakeholders and accelerate action at the intersection of climate and health, reinforcing the need for long-term, systemic solutions.