India’s global position, as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, and its population represent tremendous potential – for innovation, inclusive development, and a chance to shape the future of our planet.

However, communities – especially underserved populations – are experiencing the debilitating impacts of climate change. Over 75% of India’s districts are vulnerable to increasingly unpredictable and severe extreme weather, like heatwaves, floods, droughts, cyclones, and erratic rainfall. These climate risks are aggravating pre-existing developmental challenges and systemic inequalities that in turn impact economic productivity, education, healthcare, and safety, among other things. The potential of individuals and communities in India, as well as their aspirations for better opportunities will likely be defined by how India handles the climate crisis. We urgently need inclusive climate solutions that secure India’s future.

Through extensive interactions across the climate ecosystem, the India Climate Collaborative realised that the solutions we need to address climate change are all around us. Non-profits across the country are innovating and re-imagining localised climate solutions that are community-first, cost-effective, and address socio-economic priorities. Designed to account for multiple challenges amid scarcity, these solutions reflect a stronger, inclusive development paradigm with the potential to accelerate exponentially across the planet. But to be scaled for impact, these solutions need greater visibility and funding.

In our efforts to mobilise corporate philanthropy for climate action, we learnt that funders find it challenging to identify, and measure suitable climate solutions that align with India’s developmental priorities, and they also desire a deeper understanding of climate change. And so, Earth Exponential was born.