India’s $6.5 Trillion Net-Zero Funding Gap Puts Climate Disclosure in Focus

Mumbai, September 7, 2026: India’s climate transition could require stronger corporate climate disclosures alongside large-scale investment, according to Uniqus Consultech’s latest Sustainability & Climate Pulse. The report estimates that India will need USD 22.7 trillion in investments by 2070 to meet its net-zero ambitions, leaving a funding gap of USD 6.5 trillion.

The report highlights the growing importance of international finance, which could account for up to 42% of the capital required for India’s net-zero transition. This is increasing the need for companies to provide greater transparency on their transition plans, climate risks and sustainability performance.

India’s expanding digital economy is adding another dimension to the transition. Data centre capacity has increased from 375 MW in 2020 to nearly 1,575 MW, driven by the adoption of artificial intelligence and demand for high-performance computing. The growth is also raising concerns around electricity consumption, renewable energyavailability and water security.

The report also points to implementation challenges in environmental programmes. A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit found that the Green India Mission achieved 0.03 million hectares of additional forest cover against a target of 1.4 million hectares between 2015-16 and 2024-25, representing a 97.57% shortfall.

The findings highlight concerns around monitoring, accountability and the effectiveness of land-based climate interventions.

Anu Chaudhary, Partner and Global Head, Sustainability & Climate Consulting (SCC), Uniqus Consultech, said, “The conversation around sustainability in India is shifting from ambition to execution. As organizations compete for capital from investors applying stricter climate risk and disclosure criteria, robust transition plans and credible sustainability disclosures are becoming central to financing decisions rather than compliance exercises. The companies that can clearly demonstrate how they will decarbonize, manage climate risks, and allocate capital will be best placed to attract investment and create long-term value,”

According to Uniqus, the intersection of climate regulation, investor scrutiny and capital requirements is making sustainability reporting increasingly relevant to financing and investment decisions. The report suggests that businesses incorporating climate considerations into investment, infrastructure and operational decisions could be better positioned as India progresses towards a low-carbon economy.