India Tech Report

Tag: climate-change

  • The Climate on Monday: Green Climate Fund’s record mandate, Crosstown’s innovative hydrogen retrofit, and more

    The Climate on Monday: Green Climate Fund’s record mandate, Crosstown’s innovative hydrogen retrofit, and more

    Daily brief on deep tech and climate tech news from India and around the world.

    Illustrative image: wind turbines on moutains. The Green Climate Fund has approved a record amount for new projects.

    Green Climate Fund approves record $1.2 billion for climate projects in developing nations

    The Green Climate Fund has approved a record $1.2 billion for 17 new climate projects, mainly in Asia and Africa, to help vulnerable nations adapt to and mitigate climate change, Reuters reports. The investments include $227 million for green bond markets and $200 million for green finance in India. Reforms will speed up partnerships and project approvals, aiming to reduce accreditation time for local partners from 30 months to nine months.

    Listen to the podcast

    UN development summit endorses innovative taxes and finance tools to boost global climate funding

    At a UN conference in Spain last week, 192 countries adopted the “Sevilla Commitment,” backing new climate finance tools such as taxes on the super-rich, levies on polluting transport, and debt swaps, Climate Home News reports.

    Leaders urged carbon and airline ticket taxes, pre-arranged disaster aid, and easier access to international funds for developing nations. The summit stressed urgent action as climate impacts worsen, with richer countries called to lead on finance and support fair energy transitions worldwide.

    UK launches first onshore wind strategy to double capacity and create 45,000 jobs by 2030

    The UK government has unveiled its first-ever onshore wind strategy, aiming to nearly double capacity to 27–29 GW by 2030 and create up to 45,000 skilled jobs, according to a statement from the UK’s department of energy security and net zero.

    Over 40 measures will accelerate project development, streamline planning, repower aging turbines, and offer community benefits. The plan reverses nearly a decade of stagnation, boosts energy security, and seeks billions in private investment, positioning onshore wind as a cornerstone of Britain’s clean energy future.

    Global EV and battery investment surges, but China’s overcapacity and policy shifts challenge industry

    Global investment in electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries is booming, with China leading in manufacturing and sales due to strong state support and a vast domestic market, according to a recent report from the Rhodium Group.

    Europe is rapidly adopting EVs, relying heavily on imports, especially from China, while the US faces uncertainty as potential policy rollbacks threaten its growing domestic industry. Emerging markets are seeing fast EV adoption, often driven by affordable Chinese models, as the sector reaches a pivotal global transition point.

    Crosstown raises $3.8 million to retrofit Europe’s gas turbines for hydrogen

    Swiss startup Crosstown has secured CHF 3 million ($3.8 million) in seed funding to scale its patented H2R Burner technology, which enables existing gas turbines to run on 100 percent hydrogen or mixed renewable fuels. This innovation allows operators to cut CO₂ emissions by over 300,000 tons per 100MW turbine annually and reduce NOx by up to 80 percent, offering a cost-effective path to decarbonization without replacing current infrastructure.

    New Climate Tech Readiness Index ranks industries on real-world climate technology adoption

    Climate Insider has launched the Climate Technology Readiness Index, assessing how prepared emissions-intensive industries — like oil & gas, chemicals, and power — are to actually adopt and scale climate technologies, the climate tech industry media and market intelligence provider said in a recent post.

    Unlike traditional indices that track climate pledges, this tool measures organizational capabilities, R&D investment, partnerships, and operational deployment. The index aims to bridge the gap between climate tech innovation and real-world implementation, providing critical intelligence for companies navigating urgent regulatory and decarbonization pressures.

    AI-powered robots replace farm hands and herbicides, offering sustainable weeding solutions

    Aigen, a US startup, has developed a solar-powered, AI-driven robot that autonomously removes weeds from fields, addressing labour shortages and herbicide resistance, according to an AFP report that was picked up by the Economic Times.

    The robot, called Element, uses on-board cameras and AI to navigate crops – mimicking how human labourers would perform weeding – and eliminates the need for chemical weed killers. Priced at $50,000, Element aims to save farmers money, protect health, and promote climate-friendly agriculture, with robots already operating in cotton, tomato, and sugar beet fields.

    In Conversation

    In-depth conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems.

    Insight

    Takeaways from conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems.

  • The Climate on Monday: Big Tech’s net zero goals unrealistic, researchers say, India in SDG 100 for the first time, and more

    The Climate on Monday: Big Tech’s net zero goals unrealistic, researchers say, India in SDG 100 for the first time, and more

    Daily news on deep tech and climate tech from India and around the world

    An infographic show the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that were articulated at the United Nations in 2015 as an urgent call to action for all countries.

    Tech Giants’ Net Zero Goals May Be Unachievable Amid AI Data Center Boom

    Researchers warn that the net zero pledges of big tech companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon are increasingly unrealistic as they expand AI and data centers, driving up energy use, according to a report by AFP that was widely syndicated last week.

    For example, Microsoft disclosed a 23 percent increase in greenhouse gas emissions since 2020, driven by rapid expansion of AI and cloud infrastructure, despite significant investments in carbon removals and clean energy, Carbon Pulse reported on May 30.

    Listen to the podcast

    Independent analysis rates the credibility of the big tech companies’ climate strategies as poor, with emissions targets likely unattainable if unchecked energy consumption continues without stronger oversight and regulation, according to the report.

    “The greenhouse gas emissions targets of tech companies appear to have lost their meaning,” Thomas Hay, lead author of a report by think tanks Carbon Market Watch and NewClimate Institute, told AFP.

    Meta finalizes deals for green power for AI data centres

    Meanwhile, Meta has finalized deals that will take it closer to net-zero emissions across its global data centers, according to a Bloomberg report on June 26. Meta signed new clean energy agreements with developer Invenergy to power its operations with renewable energy.

    Clean hydrogen investment at risk in US after tax bill proposal

    A proposed US tax bill threatens to drive clean hydrogen investors out of the country by cutting key incentives, Reuters reports. The move could slow the growth of the clean hydrogen sector, undermining efforts to decarbonize heavy industry and transportation.

    BizClik announces global sustainability awards finalists

    BizClik, a B2B digital media and events company, named the finalists for its Global Sustainability Awards 2025, recognizing measurable progress in ESG, climate tech, and sustainable innovation. The awards ceremony, set for September in London, spotlights global enterprises leading in sustainability, encouraging best practices and transparency in corporate environmental responsibility.

    Global Energy Prize shortlist features 15 scientists from eight countries

    The Global Energy Prize announced its 2025 shortlist, highlighting 15 scientists from eight countries working on sustainable energy solutions. The award promotes innovations addressing global energy challenges, supporting research that drives the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

    Germany’s Climatiq bags €10 million to turn emissions into business metric

    Climatiq, a German climate tech startup, has raised €10 million in funding to develop technology that quantifies and tracks carbon emissions as a core business KPI, Tech Funding News reported. The company’s platform helps businesses to monitor their carbon footprint in real time and integrates emissions metrics into financial and operational decision-making. The investment will fuel further tech development and market expansion.

    Resilience AI assesses climate risk for Indian cities

    Resilience AI, a startup in Bengaluru, is developing a software platform that assesses how risk-prone our buildings and other infrastructure in our cities are to climate hazards like floods and landslides, Your Story reports. The startup’s risk modeling is helping urban planners and policymakers prepare for and mitigate the impact of increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

    India breaks into sustainable development goals index top 100 for the first time

    India has reached a significant milestone in the latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, ranking within the top 100 countries for the first time, The Indian Express reports. This marks a notable improvement from its previous positions of 112th in 2022 and 120th in 2021, reflecting substantial progress in health, education, and environmental sustainability.

    The SDG Index evaluates countries on their commitment and performance toward global development targets. While India’s inclusion is a milestone, it also highlights ongoing challenges in areas like poverty reduction and climate resilience, requiring continued policy focus and innovation to sustain momentum.

    In Conversation

    In-depth conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems

    Insight

    Takeaways from conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems

  • Ending the ICE age: Kunal Khattar on the trillion dollar EV opportunity in India

    Ending the ICE age: Kunal Khattar on the trillion dollar EV opportunity in India

    My guest today is Kunal Khattar, founding managing partner at AdvantEdge Founders, an early-stage VC firm in New Delhi that’s well known for backing founders in the EV and mobility sectors in India. Kunal is well known for backing both consumer facing shared mobility ventures like Rapido and technology-led product innovation startups like Exponent Energy, which is a leader in fast-charging tech in India.

    It’s now 10 years since AdvantEdge was founded, Kunal says, and the firm is very close to announcing the first close of its third fund, which will likely be in the ballpark of $75 million, to back the next generation of EV entrepreneurs in India.

    In this conversation, Kunal talks about why he expects the EV space to hit the J-curve growth stage over the next three to five years and how replacing the overall ICE economy in India is a trillion-dollar opportunity.

    Kunal also talks about how because technology-led industry shifts can take decades, some promising technologies, like green hydrogen, for example, will take time to become mainstream.

    Related Post

  • Deep tech wrap on Friday: Green hydrogen solutions rise in India, aerospace startup Raphe scores $100 million, and more

    Deep tech wrap on Friday: Green hydrogen solutions rise in India, aerospace startup Raphe scores $100 million, and more

    Daily brief on deep tech and climate tech news from India and around the world

    Illustrative image. India needs high-altitude drones to support its troops across the Himalayas, or for rescue operations and several other civilian applications as well.

    JuliaHub unveils Dyad to accelerate hardware development with AI-powered modeling

    JuliaHub has launched Dyad, a new system that integrates Scientific Machine Learning, Generative AI, and traditional physics modeling to revolutionize hardware system design, according to a post from the eponymous company. Dyad offers both textual and graphical interfaces, agentic AI workflows, and seamless simulation tools, supporting the entire product lifecycle for industries like aerospace and energy.

    Under a source-available license, Dyad aims to bring modern software agility and collaboration to engineering, making advanced modeling accessible, safe, and efficient for critical applications.

    Listen to the podcast

    APac ex-Japan IoT spending to reach $355 billion by 2029, driven by manufacturing and smart technologies

    Internet of Things (IoT) spending in the Asia Pacific region (ex-Japan) will grow from $241 billion in 2025 to $355 billion by 2029, with a 12.6 percent CAGR, technology market researcher IDC said in a recent post.

    Manufacturing, government, retail, and utilities will drive over half of 2025’s spending, while healthcare and transportation will see the fastest growth. Hardware, especially sensors and modules, will dominate spending, with China, India, and Indonesia leading growth. Key trends include smart factories, supply chain resilience, and real-time analytics adoption.

    John Cockerill Hydrogen raises €116 million to boost global green hydrogen expansion

    John Cockerill Hydrogen has secured a €116 million capital increase to advance its strategic development and international growth, the hydrogen electrolyser and industrial equipment maker said in a press release.

    Supported by Belgian investors SFPIM and Wallonie Entreprendre, and new partner Fluxys, the funding strengthens the company’s Belgian roots and global reach.

    The capital will support large-scale electrolyser production in Europe and India, including India’s largest green ammonia project. The group’s Indian unit is listed in Mumbai.

    This investment advances John Cockerill’s leadership in pressurized alkaline electrolyser technology, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable, cost-effective green hydrogen solutions worldwide, according to the press release.

    Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Ohmium partner to pilot green hydrogen microgrids for India’s clean energy future

    Meanwhile, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Ohmium International have signed an MoU to co-develop green hydrogen-based microgrid solutions in India. The collaboration combines Toyota’s fuel cell expertise with Ohmium’s modular PEM electrolyzer technology to design scalable, efficient, and cost-effective hydrogen power systems for diverse applications, including data centers and remote areas.

    The partnership aims to prototype and test integrated electrolyzer-fuel cell microgrids, supporting India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and advancing the country’s carbon neutrality and energy independence goals.

    Cummins India launches Battery Energy Storage Systems to accelerate clean energy transition

    Cummins India Limited has launched its Battery Energy Storage Systems, expanding its sustainable solutions portfolio to support India’s clean energy goals, the industrial company said in a press release.

    The modular, scalable units — available in 10ft and 20ft containers with capacities from 200kWh to 2MWh — use advanced lithium ferrophosphate batteries and integrated liquid cooling for safety and long life, according to the release.

    Designed for industries such as manufacturing, data centers, and mining, these systems enable seamless integration of renewables, grid stability, and optimized energy costs, the company said.

    Ericsson expands Bengaluru R&D to boost 5G chip design and India’s semiconductor ecosystem

    Ericsson is expanding its Bengaluru R&D operations with a dedicated Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) development unit, adding over 150 engineering roles. This move strengthens Ericsson’s global semiconductor design capabilities and supports India’s growing tech ecosystem.

    The new unit will focus on developing custom Ericsson Silicon System on a Chip (SoC) solutions, essential for high-performance, energy-efficient 5G network equipment. The expansion aligns with Ericsson’s $5 billion annual R&D investment and India’s ambitions to become a semiconductor innovation hub.

    Antler Bio raises $4.3 million to expand gene expression tech for smarter, more resilient dairy farming

    Antler Bio has secured $4.3 million in funding, led by The First Thirty Ventures, to scale its EpiHerd gene expression platform across Europe, Tech Funding News reports. EpiHerd analyzes how cows’ genes respond to environmental and nutritional stressors, delivering data-driven insights that boost milk yields, quality, and herd health. Already used on over 100 farms, the system has achieved up to 22 percent higher milk yields and a 7:1 ROI. The funding will accelerate expansion and further technology development.

    Raphe mPhibr raises $100M to scale indigenous drone manufacturing and global defense ambitions

    Raphe mPhibr has secured $100 million in Series B funding led by General Catalyst, marking the largest private capital raise by an Indian aerospace manufacturer, according to a press release by the Noida based startup.

    Founded in 2016, Raphe designs and manufactures end-to-end unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including drone swarms and high-altitude UAVs, entirely in India.

    Serving more than 10 government agencies, the company has achieved 4x revenue growth for four years, remains profitable, and plans to expand globally, emphasizing sovereign technology and local manufacturing.

    In Conversation

    In-depth conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems.

    Insight

    Takeaways from conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems.

  • The Climate on Monday: clean tech 2X, climate finance in India, a boost for SAF, synthetic graphite, and more

    The Climate on Monday: clean tech 2X, climate finance in India, a boost for SAF, synthetic graphite, and more

    Daily brief on deep tech and climate tech from India and around the world.

    Global clean tech investments to hit 2X versus fossil fuels in 2025

    Investment in clean technologies – renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, low-emissions fuels, efficiency and electrification – is on course to hit a record $2.2 trillion this year, attracting twice as much capital as fossil fuels, according to the 2025 edition of the International Energy Agency’s annual World Energy Investment report, which was released earlier this month.

    This reflects not only efforts to reduce emissions but also the growing influence of industrial policy, energy security concerns and the cost competitiveness of electricity-based solutions, the IEA said in a press release on June 5. Investment in oil, natural gas and coal is set to reach $1.1 trillion.

    Overall, global energy investment is set to increase in 2025 to a record $3.3 trillion despite headwinds from elevated geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, according to the release.

    Listen to the podcast

    Deadline nears for comments on India’s draft climate finance taxonomy

    There are just 10 days left to submit feedback to the Ministry of Finance on India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy, released last month. The taxonomy aims to define clear criteria for climate-aligned investments, boost green finance flows, and help India meet its net zero targets.

    Stakeholders — including financial institutions, industry, and civil society — are encouraged to provide input to ensure the taxonomy supports credible, transparent, and effective climate action across the economy.

    India’s solar boom curbs coal use as renewables hit record highs

    Meanwhile, India’s solar power generation surged by 32.4 percent in the first four months of 2025, reaching a record 57.8TWh and boosting solar’s share of the electricity mix to 10 percent, Reuters reports.

    This growth, alongside higher hydro output, helped keep coal-fired generation flat and cut natural gas-fired output by 27 percent. In May, coal power output fell 9.5 percent year-on-year, the steepest drop in five years, as renewables hit record highs and overall power demand declined. While coal remains India’s dominant energy source, clean power’s share continues to grow.

    Trump to scrap Biden-era rule on pension funds considering ESG

    In the US, the Department of Labor, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has announced plans to overturn a Biden-era rule that allowed pension funds to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in investment decisions and shareholder voting, Green Central Banking reported, citing ESG Dive.

    SkyNRG raises €300 million to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel production

    In Europe, Dutch company SkyNRG has secured €300 million — led by asset managers APG and Macquarie — to build three large-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plants in Europe and North America, Tech Funding News reports. The flagship facility in the Netherlands will use green hydrogen and captured CO₂ to cut emissions by over 80 percent compared with regular jet fuel.

    SkyNRG’s integrated approach, strict sustainability standards, and partnerships with airlines and corporations aim to make SAF mainstream and help aviation reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

    ScaleFund III raises €12M to back tech scale-ups in Benelux and France

    Also in Europe, Belgian venture capital firm ScaleFund has launched its third fund, ScaleFund III, with an initial close of €12 million, targeting €30 million to support tech-driven companies in digital transformation, cleantech, and deeptech across Benelux and France.

    Led by Managing Partner Claire Munck, the fund focuses on hands-on support for companies beyond the startup phase, emphasizing diversity — 40 percent of prior investments were in women-led ventures — and aims to fill the funding gap for early-stage scale-ups with strong growth potential.

    Synthetic graphite production can be decarbonized with renewables and green hydrogen, study finds

    A new study finds that synthetic graphite production, crucial for electric vehicle batteries, can cut its high carbon emissions by adopting renewable energy and green hydrogen, Climate Insider reports.

    By switching 20–80 percent of energy sources, factories could reduce emissions by up to 70 percent. While decarbonization may increase production costs, surging demand and regulatory pressure make these measures increasingly necessary, according to the report.

  • The Climate on Monday: Shipping industry, Microsoft’s deal, Gridcare, DAC, and Stride Green

    The Climate on Monday: Shipping industry, Microsoft’s deal, Gridcare, DAC, and Stride Green

    Shipping industry faces hurdles as it navigates new net zero rules

    The shipping industry, responsible for about 3 percent of global emissions, faces a pivotal period as it seeks scalable zero-emission solutions and adapts to stricter climate policies, Reuters reported last week.

    The sector must cut the greenhouse gas intensity of its fuel by 30 percent by 2035 and 65 percent by 2040 under new global regulations, with the International Maritime Organization introducing emissions thresholds and a pricing mechanism starting in 2028. While innovations like wind-assisted propulsion and biofuels are emerging, concerns remain over the sustainability of some fuels and market uncertainty, according to Reuters.

    Listen to the episode

    Microsoft’s deal for low-carbon cement from MIT-spinout Sublime

    Microsoft recently agreed to buy up to 622,500 metric tonnes of low-carbon cement from Sublime Systems, a US startup, over the next six to nine years, aiming to reduce emissions from its data center and infrastructure construction. The deal uses new environmental certificates to claim emissions reductions, even when the cement isn’t used directly by Microsoft.

    Sublime’s electrochemical process avoids the carbon emissions of traditional cement production. The agreement will help scale Sublime’s technology and accelerate the adoption of cleaner construction materials in an industry responsible for about 8 percent of global CO₂ emissions.

    Sublime was founded at MIT by Dr. Leah Ellis and Prof. Yet-Ming Chiang, both respected experts in materials science, electrochemical systems, and sustainability research. The company has raised over $200M in funding from leading climate tech investors, global cement incumbents, and cooperative agreements with the U.S. Department of Energy.

    Gridcare uses AI to unlock hidden grid capacity for data centers

    Gridcare, a US startup founded by entrepreneur Amit Narayan, uses generative AI to map and analyze the US electrical grid, according to a TechCrunch report. The startup, which has raised $13.5 million in seed funding recently, could potentially identify more than 100 gigawatts of untapped capacity for data centers, Narayan tells TechCrunch.

    By matching data center developers with utilities and factoring in variables such as fiber connectivity, weather, and regulations, Gridcare aims to help hyperscalers bypass long waits for grid connection. It charges developers based on the megawatts it unlocks, offering a cost-effective alternative to building private power plants.

    So far, North American startups have secured over $22.37 billion in funding for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, altenergymag.com reports. Some $130 million of that was raised in 2025 to date.

    Investors grow cautious on direct air capture despite climate tech boom

    Once a darling of climate tech, direct air capture (DAC) startups in the US have seen a 60 percent drop in venture investment this year amid political uncertainty and wavering corporate commitments, Bloomberg reported early last month.

    With government incentives at risk and high costs per tonne, the DAC sector faces a challenging path to scale, even as overall climate tech investment rises. This shift raises concerns about the sector’s ability to deliver on long-term carbon removal goals, Bloomberg Reporter Coco Liu writes in that insightful piece.

    Stride Green raises $3.5 million to boost tech-enabled clean energy asset financing

    Stride Green, in New Delhi, has secured $3.5 million in seed funding to expand its innovative financing and leasing solutions for renewable energy, electric mobility, and battery storage. The company’s green finance portfolio now exceeds $120 million, supporting more than 3,000 cleantech assets and reflecting India’s surging climate tech investment.

    Stride Green was started last year by the well-known venture debt focused VC, Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, founder and managing partner at Stride Ventures, along with Vivek Jain, co-founder and chief business officer.