At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, India has emerged as a leading voice for climate justice, championing equitable and accountable climate finance. Representing the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs)—a bloc that speaks for over half the world’s population—India has forcefully articulated the urgent need for predictable, transparent, and legally binding financial support from developed nations. India’s climate finance journey has been built on a decade of persistent advocacy. While the Paris Agreement enshrined the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” at COP30, India contends that developed countries have consistently failed to meet their obligations. The much-publicized $100 billion annual pledge remains unmet, and the new target of $300 billion by 2035, agreed upon at COP29 in Baku, has seen by India as “suboptimal” and lacking enforceability. At the third high-level ministerial dialogue on climate finance, India underscored that without scaled-up, concessional, and grant-based finance, developing nations cannot meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These NDCs are central to global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C, and India warned that the failure of developed nations to deliver finance risks derailing the entire climate ambition. India has also emphasized that climate finance must be “new and additional,” not repackaged development aid or loans that increase debt burdens. It has called out “greenwashing” and the lack of clarity in current financial flows, demanding that Article 9.1 and 9.3 of the Paris Agreement—on legal obligations and leadership in mobilization—be upheld. Despite these challenges, India has made significant progress: expanding renewable energy capacity, enhancing climate resilience, and investing in green infrastructure. Yet it maintains that domestic efforts cannot substitute for the developed world's global responsibility. India meeting one of its Paris commitments, well ahead of schedule, is testimony to that. More green power being added in 2025, than coal shows, the countries continued effort in this direction. As new climate finance challenges occur, India’s stance is clear: climate finance is not charity—it is a matter of climate justice. The road from Baku to Belém and beyond must not be paved with diluted commitments but with concrete, enforceable actions that reflect the urgency of the climate crisis and the rights of the Global South. India’s climate finance journey is not just about numbers—it is about fairness, trust, and the future of multilateralism. For me, climate finance is not about technical terms or big negotiations — it’s about real people and the communities that are affected first. Through my involvement with the Climate Reality community, I’ve seen how climate impacts can disrupt lives, especially for those who already have limited resources. When support and funding reach the right places, it truly strengthens local resilience. That’s why I feel India’s call for climate finance that is clear, fair, and reliable is not just a policy topic, but an essential step for protecting vulnerable people, given India and the neighbourhood is at the receiving end of climate catastrophes. We are a large country with diverse development needs, and it continues to contribute to climate action in its own capacity. However, without the financial support initially committed to developing countries, meeting these responsibilities becomes more challenging. India’s position at COP30 and now at the ongoing World Economic Forum, Davos highlights that climate action and climate fairness are interconnected. When developed nations fulfil their commitments, it strengthens trust and supports more balanced global progress.

A global wave of responsible, experience-driven travel is lifting ecotourism from the fringes to the forefront of the tourism industry. According to the UNWTO, ecotourism accounted for nearly 25% of global tourism revenue in 2024. Allied Market Research projects the global ecotourism market, valued at $210.4 billion in 2023, will grow to $829.8 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 11.7%. Nearly 45% of these destinations are located in rural areas—underscoring the transformative potential of ecotourism to foster both environmental sustainability and inclusive development. Lessons from the Global South Several countries in the Global South have already demonstrated how ecotourism can serve as a national development strategy rooted in both conservation and livelihoods. Costa Rica has embedded Payments for Environmental Services into national policy. With over 25% of its land protected, the country has turned ecological preservation into a pillar of economic growth, tourism contributes 5.8% of its GDP. Namibia passed legislation in 1996 granting tribal communities the rights to manage and benefit from local wildlife tourism. Today, 86 conservancies cover nearly 20% of the land and generate over $10 million annually. The Philippines embraced ecotourism as a jobs strategy. Through its Green Jobs Act (2016), it trained locals as reef protectors and eco-guides, proving that conservation can be a viable livelihood. India: From Hidden Potential to Global Leader India’s greatest advantage lies in its villages, more than 6.5 lakh of them, home to 65% of the country’s population. These rural landscapes are not just geographical entities; they are cultural and ecological treasure troves. They hold traditional wisdom, diverse biodiversity, and the human potential to steward both. Recent government efforts such as the National Strategy for Promotion of Rural Homestays (2022), Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD schemes, and the inclusion of a Rural Tourism section on the Incredible India portal show encouraging momentum. Over 300 eco-villages and circuits have been developed. However, the benefits remain uneven, concentrated in a few states and urban centers. State-Level Sparks of Success States like Kerala, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Meghalaya offer homegrown models of success. Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission has trained more than 20,000 families, revitalizing local economies and curbing outmigration. Mountain Shepherds in Uttarakhand and Sundarbans Jungle Camp in West Bengal showcase models that centre ecology, community ownership, and cultural storytelling. The ABC Formula: India’s Ecotourism Action Plan To truly lead globally, India must adopt a livelihood-first approach that sees ecology and economy as partners. This begins with the ABC Formula, Action, Backing, and Convergence: 1. Catalyst Capital Dedicate a share of tourism budgets to a Community Ecotourism Fund that empowers rural entrepreneurs. Even a modest, sustained national allocation, like Costa Rica’s approach (0.3% GDP in their case), can unleash a powerful multiplier effect across rural India. 2. National Ecotourism Skilling Portal Launch vernacular-language training in eco-guiding, cultural hospitality, and digital marketing, designed for diverse geographies. 3. Convergence with Flagship Schemes Integrate ecotourism with MGNREGA, PMGSY, NRLM, and Digital India to improve infrastructure, access, and entrepreneurial support. 4. Ecotourism Cooperatives Strengthening community-owned collectives to manage pricing, storytelling, and visitor experience ensuring transparency and equitable income. 5. Real-Time Ecotourism Dashboard Deploy a dynamic MIS system to track revenue, jobs, and ecological impact enabling better governance and CSR alignment. 6. Ecotourism Mission Cell Establish a dedicated body within the Ministry of Tourism to coordinate multi- stakeholder action and ensure long-term impact. India’s time is now. Ecotourism is not only about showcasing pristine landscapes, it’s about building local leadership, strengthening self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) and shaping a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future. As we move toward Viksit Bharat 2047, ecotourism could become one of India’s most transformative development tools.

I am from Honduras, which is considered as one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, even though it contributes almost nothing to global emissions. Here climate change is a reality that shapes our daily lives in our food supply, our economy and our safety. Over the past few years, we have been through hurricanes that left us incredible damages such as floods and climate driven displacement. For us adaptation is not optional, it is a matter of survival. Honduras’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen resilience in agriculture, water management, forest protection, and disaster response. This is why COP30 is deeply important for Honduras. Through my participation in this program Youth for COP under  the Climate Reality Project, I have learnt a lot about important topics such as climate finance and justice or just transitions and green jobs but I think the impactful thing for me is that we are all witnesses that climate impacts are accelerating faster than our actions to get through the problem. Honduras has plenty of ideas and commitment. Our NDCs are based on clear and practical plans to protect mangroves, sustainable forest management, which is required is stable, reachable, and grant-based finance to go from ideas to make them real. Adaptation projects often are delayed, because international funding is complicated, deficient, or slow. While local communities do their best with, they have in their hands, international cooperation systems remain too slow to respond to our urgent crises. This is something that COP 30 must convert from promises to actions. In November 2020, Honduras was hit by hurricanes Eta and Iota within a span of two weeks, the already devastated people of Honduras were again swept away by mudslides and overflowing rivers. Over 2 million people in Honduras were affected which analysts presume cost 10 billion dollars in damages. Some 1,000 homes were destroyed, more than 6,000 were damaged and more than 88,000 were affected.  Ninety per cent of the damage was recorded in the agricultural sector and 10 per cent in the livestock sector. ((IFRC)., 2022)  International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. (2022, December 5). Central America: Hurricanes Eta & Iota – Final report (MDR43007). ReliefWeb. https://reliefweb.int/report/guatemala/central-america-hurricanes-eta-iota-final-report-mdr43007 This wasn’t a simple damage, this was what years of accumulation of underinvestment resilience caused, and this could be prevented if the funds weren’t so complicated to access so more resources had been available. We know that Loss and Damage Fund, is financial mechanism was designed to provide crucial support to vulnerable nations facing the brunt of climate-related challenges and climate justice is focused on addressing the unequal impacts of climate change by prioritizing the health and safety of those who face the greatest risk, we can not continue waiting time and this fund must be functional and easy to access. And finally three urgent actions  what leaders must prioritize are: Provide strong grand based funding for climate adaptation in Honduras and the Global South. Make Loss and Damage Fund works effectively Support and ensure of NDCs specially in countries most at risk.

SCAC 2025 Impact Stories ODISHA: A STORY OF DISAPPEARING VILLAGES AND RISING COURAGE While creating their video for the Students’ Climate Action Conference, a team from DPS Odisha stumbled upon a powerful truth—of the ten coastal villages they set out to document, two had already vanished beneath rising seawater. Shocked by the scale of climate-driven displacement, the students felt compelled to act. Beyond the competition, they created a dedicated website to document these disappearing villages and share credible information with peers, educators, and local communities. Their initiative quickly grew into a collective movement. Parents, teachers, and the school principal amplified the effort, supporting tree plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns, and wider dissemination of the students’ work. What began as a project for a three-minute video evolved into a sustained community-led climate action effort. View Video TAMILNADU: WHEN LEARNING TURNED INTO LEADERSHIP In Tamil Nadu, students took their conference learning far beyond the assignment by forming Student-Led Climate Action Clubs within their schools. These clubs quickly became active hubs where students trained their peers, engaged with local communities, and promoted climate awareness, adaptation measures, and everyday sustainable practices. Through these clubs, students deepened their understanding of local climate vulnerabilities and emerged as youth climate leaders. Their efforts mobilised families, schools, and neighbourhoods, demonstrating how empowered students can spark widespread awareness and strengthen climate resilience at the grassroots level. A key driver of their success was the strong support from parents, who recognised the students’ leadership and encouraged them to continue their climate initiatives beyond school. View Video DARJEELING: STUDENT RESEARCH DRIVING LOCAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS At St. Teresa’s School, Darjeeling, during their project work, students identified a critical ecological concern i.e. the decline in pollination linked to falling bee populations, posing risks to local agriculture and biodiversity. Recognising the urgency, students collaborated closely with local beekeepers, combining traditional knowledge with student-led inquiry to support and strengthen community beekeeping practices. Alongside this research-driven intervention, students initiated wider sustainability efforts within the school, including systematic waste segregation, awareness campaigns, promotion of the 3Rs, and household composting demonstrations. By documenting their composting units, flower gardens, and field interactions, students showcased practical climate solutions in action. The initiative highlights how conference-based research can evolve into meaningful, locally rooted climate action—empowering students to bridge science, livelihoods, and community resilience while making sustainability an integral part of everyday life. View Video Go Back

Newsletter (November-December 2025) Our newsletter provides updates on our programs, and fellow Climate Reality Leaders who are making a difference. It carries a gamut of activities carried out in two months' time, showing how each one of us can act to solve the crisis together. We would love to hear from you, your story and acts of leadership in the journey of sustainability. Every action matters! CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION PROGRAMME Youth Power in Action: Students’ Climate Action Conference 2025 The Students’ Climate Action Conference 2025 united a powerful cohort of 550 young leaders from 177 schools to turn climate awareness into grassroots solutions. Spanning eight states through a dynamic hybrid format, the event featured regional hubs in Bhubaneswar, Gurgaon, Chennai, and Noida, where students showcased research-driven videos tackling urgent local issues like coastal erosion and urban biodiversity. This was more than a competition—it served as a collaborative platform where student voices met expert insights, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world advocacy. By spotlighting diverse regional challenges, the conference empowered the next generation to take the lead in driving meaningful climate action across India. The Clean Kashmir – Swachh Kashmir Campaign 2025 The Clean Kashmir – Swachh Kashmir Campaign 2025, held from 1–20 November 2025, engaged 32 schools and 384 students across Kashmir in a collective effort to promote waste management and community cleanliness. Organized by The Climate Project Foundation in association with the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir and Wildlife Conservation Fund, YPJK, the campaign encouraged schools to undertake cleanliness drives, awareness sessions, and creative outreach through posters, videos, and street plays, both within school premises and nearby communities. Through hands-on action and structured documentation, students demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and creativity while spreading awareness on waste segregation and recycling. The campaign concluded with recognition of top-performing schools, creating a ripple effect as many institutions continued cleanliness activities beyond the campaign period. Clean Kashmir 2025 reinforced the power of student-led action in inspiring communities and advancing a cleaner, greener Kashmir. Green Campus Programme- HEI Awards CGC University, Mohali (formerly Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Jhanjheri) was awarded the Gold Category under the Green Campus Programme – HEI Awards on 17 November 2025, in recognition of its commitment to sustainability in higher education. The university was evaluated on its documented efforts in green infrastructure, energy efficiency, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and student-led initiatives. The award acknowledges CGC University’s consistent efforts in promoting environmentally responsible campus practices and setting an example for sustainable development in academia. Assam HEIs join Green Campus Programme Two colleges from Assam formally joined the Green Campus Programme (GCP-HEI) following a Principals’ Conclave held at Bhattadev University, Pathsala, in October 2025, with Nirmal Haloi College becoming the first institution to register. The conclave, organized in collaboration with the Mahabahu Climate Forum (Mahabahu Foundation), brought together around 20 Principals from affiliated colleges and helped convert awareness into concrete institutional action, strengthening the programme’s presence in the North East and paving the way for further enrolments. From Awareness to Action: Impact of Teachers’ Training Program In Maharashtra, four-hour, in-person Teachers’ Training Programs are equipping educators with climate knowledge and practical skills through sessions on climate change science, impacts, and solutions, along with hands-on activities across five domains—air, biodiversity, energy, water, and waste. These interactive trainings encourage teachers to view their campuses through a sustainability lens. The impact is evident as teachers are leading student-driven initiatives such as rainwater harvesting demonstrations, model-making exhibitions, and promoting eco-friendly birthday practices. The program bridges the gap between intent and action by providing guidance and confidence, enabling teachers to translate awareness into meaningful climate action within their institutions. GCP SCHOOLS IN ACTION Community Campaign on Waste Segregation at BHSS Gulabbagh BHSS Gulabbagh organized a Community Campaign on Waste Segregation to raise awareness among local residents about responsible waste management and the importance of segregating waste at source. Led by students and teachers, the campaign focused on engaging community members through direct interaction, awareness conversations, and simple demonstrations on separating wet, dry, and recyclable waste at the household level. During the outreach, students visited nearby residential areas and shops, explaining how proper waste segregation reduces landfill pressure, improves recycling, and contributes to a cleaner and healthier neighbourhood. The campaign received a positive response from community members, who expressed willingness to adopt these practices. Overall, the initiative strengthened school–community collaboration while nurturing environmental responsibility and leadership among students. No Plastic Campaign at Maharishi International Residential School, Kanchipuram Maharishi International Residential School, Kanchipuram, organized a No Plastic Campaign to raise awareness about the harmful impacts of single-use plastic and promote eco-friendly alternatives. The initiative saw active participation from NSS students, Scouts, and Eco Club members, who engaged with the local community to encourage responsible plastic use and sustainable daily practices. As part of the campaign, students distributed reusable carry bags to shopkeepers, pedestrians, and nearby residents, while explaining the environmental consequences of plastic pollution. Through direct interaction and practical demonstrations, the campaign received a positive response from the community and successfully reinforced the message of reducing plastic dependency. The initiative also empowered students to act as environmental ambassadors and contribute meaningfully to local sustainability efforts. YOUTH ENGAGEMENT Youth for COP Debriefing session on COP 30 The Youth for COP 2025 Debriefing Session marked the closing convening of the programme, bringing together 75 participants, speakers, and youth leaders from across the Global South to reflect on key outcomes of COP30. With insights from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Small Island Developing States, the session highlighted shared priorities around climate justice, adaptation, finance, and the growing role of youth in climate diplomacy. Speakers from Climate Reality branches and partner networks emphasized the importance of regional solidarity, equitable negotiations, and stronger international cooperation. Discussions highlighted key challenges including gaps in adaptation, slow delivery of climate finance, and the need for greater accountability. Speakers emphasized the vital role of youth in linking local realities with global negotiations, strengthening regional solidarity, and advancing justice and community-driven climate solutions. The session closed with a strong message that young leaders across the Global South are actively shaping a more equitable and resilient climate future. ENGAGEMENT & ADVOCACY Session on Solar for the Agriculture Sector The Climate Project Foundation served as a key resource person at the three-day residential training programme “Solar for the Agriculture Sector,” organized by the Centre for Science and Environment from 5–7 December 2025. The programme brought together government officials, grassroots NGOs, and academia to explore practical financial and technical pathways for advancing solar-powered agriculture. TCPF shared Global South insights relevant to the Indian context, highlighted initiatives of the International Solar Alliance, and showcased India’s PM–KUSUM scheme as a successful model for large-scale, integrated solar agriculture now inspiring similar efforts globally. National Energy Conservation Day: Inspiring Green Careers in Energy On 12 December, to mark National Energy Conservation Day, TCPF collaborated with Chitkara University to conduct an engaging session on green career opportunities in the energy sector for students and faculty members. The programme was well received, with practical on-field examples and real-world success stories sparking strong interest among the student community. The session also highlighted various financing avenues available to support youth-led initiatives in the energy sector. Through such interactions, TCPF continues to encourage its leaders to engage meaningfully with young people, nurturing informed career choices and future leadership in sustainable energy. CLIMATE REALITY LEADERS- HIGHLIGHTS Book Release: Climate Justice 101 Climate Justice 101: Empowering Community Leadership is a landmark publication by Rituraj Phukan, National Coordinator for Biodiversity, The Climate Reality Project India & South Asia, with contributions from regional experts. Placing Assam at the heart of India’s climate justice movement, the book was launched at Bhattadev University and later at Guwahati University during the 13th Eastern Himalaya Naturenomics Forum. Through stories from frontline communities, the book presents climate justice as a moral and social response to the crisis. Designed as a practical resource for students, educators, and citizens, it underscores the importance of local leadership, collective action, and community ownership in shaping a just climate future. The book is available on Amazon https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0FVXXWZZL Igniting Climate Consciousness at TERI SAS Shivkumar Krishnamoorthy, a Climate Reality Leader from the 2025 cohort, led an engaging 90-minute session with over 60 students at the TERI School of Advanced Studies, Delhi, in November 2025. The interaction sparked meaningful discussions on the urgency of climate action, decarbonization, and emerging climate solutions. The session covered key moments in the environmental movement, the science of global warming, industrial decarbonization strategies, 2030 climate goals, and the role of nature-based solutions in addressing the climate crisis. Ms. Dhara Thakkar Honoured with Dr. Sarojini Naidu International Award 2025 On 22 November 2025, Climate Reality Leader Ms. Dhara Thakkar was conferred the Dr. Sarojini Naidu International Award 2025 in recognition of her pioneering work in environmental conservation through butterfly-based initiatives. Butterflies, as key indicators of ecological health, play a vital role in creating microhabitats that support diverse life forms. To date, Dhara Thakkar has helped establish more than 100 butterfly zones, contributing significantly to local biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Climate Reality is proud to celebrate and support leaders like her, whose work continues to inspire meaningful, nature-based climate action. 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