Photos Credit: German Embassy, New Delhi
As climate shocks grow more frequent and severe, India and Germany have renewed their focus on turning adaptation strategies into measurable action on the ground. At a high-level Climate Talk hosted at the German Embassy in New Delhi on Wednesday, 25 February, leaders from both countries stressed that climate resilience must now move from policy frameworks to implementation.
Titled “From Risk to Resilience: Advancing Adaptation Policy Pathways,” the dialogue convened policymakers, climate experts, think tanks and development partners to deliberate on governance systems, financial pathways and practical measures to strengthen resilience.
The event featured Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), in conversation with Ulka Kelkar, Executive Director (Climate, Economics & Finance) at WRI India. The discussion was opened by H.E. Dr. Philipp Ackermann, Ambassador of Germany to India and Bhutan.
Adaptation No Longer Optional
Delivering his remarks, Secretary Flasbarth underscored that adaptation has emerged as a core pillar of global climate policy alongside mitigation.
“We no longer have the privilege of choosing between mitigation and adaptation. The less we reduce emissions, the more we must invest in adaptation, and ultimately someone will pay the cost, either today through planned action or tomorrow through climate impacts,” Flasbarth said.
He emphasized that international collaboration remains central to effective adaptation strategies. “Germany and India already share a strong foundation of cooperation on climate and environment. The next step is translating adaptation strategies into practical solutions that strengthen resilience on the ground,” he noted.
From Strategy Documents to Budget Lines
Ulka Kelkar highlighted the urgency of integrating adaptation into fiscal planning and implementation systems rather than limiting it to policy declarations.
“Adaptation cannot be assumed to happen automatically through development. Climate-resilient growth requires deliberate upfront investment, otherwise societies end up paying far higher costs later through climate impacts,” Kelkar said.
She added that the warnings of climate scientists are now materializing in real time. “The climate risks scientists warned about decades ago are now unfolding in real time. This makes precautionary adaptation planning essential for countries like India as growth and climate resilience must advance together,” she stated.
Focus on India’s National Adaptation Plan
A key theme of the evening was India’s forthcoming National Adaptation Plan (NAP), currently being finalized under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Germany and India are stepping up cooperation to support implementation of the NAP, particularly in enhancing climate resilience across forests, ecosystems and biodiversity-rich landscapes.
Under Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI), a new large grant project for India has been launched with funding of up to €20 million. The programme aims to strengthen resilience in climate-vulnerable ecosystems across the Himalayas, island regions, the Western Ghats, the North-East and the Lower Gangetic floodplains.
Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Gains Momentum
The new initiative will promote ecosystem-based approaches (EbA), including forest restoration, biodiversity corridor connectivity, flood and erosion management, groundwater recharge and community-led natural resource governance.
It will also reinforce monitoring and evaluation systems linked to the National Adaptation Plan while exploring innovative financing tools such as blended finance structures, biodiversity credits and insurance mechanisms.
“Ecosystem-based approaches create multiple wins,” Flasbarth said. “They not only reduce climate risks but strengthen livelihoods, enhance biodiversity and are often more cost-effective than purely technical solutions.”
Scaling Up Adaptation Finance
Germany’s broader commitment to climate finance was also highlighted. In 2024, Germany contributed €11.8 billion in international climate finance, with nearly half of public budget resources directed toward adaptation measures.
This reflects Berlin’s push to increase adaptation funding globally while mobilising greater private sector participation.
Mitigation and Adaptation Must Go Together
While adaptation took centre stage, speakers reiterated that emission reductions remain fundamental to avoiding severe climate thresholds.
India’s progress in scaling renewable energy was acknowledged as a key mitigation achievement, underscoring the need to pursue adaptation and mitigation in tandem.
The Climate Talk concluded with an interactive Q&A session, reinforcing a shared consensus: building climate resilience requires integrated governance frameworks, sustained financial flows and strong international partnerships — particularly between countries like India and Germany that are increasingly shaping global climate cooperation.
