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Dr. Nilanjan Ghosh is a leading authority in environmental economics and sustainable development, currently serving as the Director at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in India. Leading ORF’s Kolkata Centre and the Centre for New Economic Diplomacy (the development research hub of ORF), he harnesses innovative economic frameworks to address climate challenges and promote sustainability. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Ghosh stands at the forefront of climate solutions and policy advocacy. 
 

In our riveting conversation, we explore the vital role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in tackling climate change in India. Dr. Ghosh sheds light on the significance of CSOs as essential bridges between local communities and policymakers, enabling knowledge exchange and fostering innovative solutions. We probe into the urgent need for lasting adaptation strategies, merging of traditional knowledge with modern approaches, and the pivotal role of effective climate communication. Drawing from his extensive expertise, he unveils his compelling vision for empowering CSOs to be the driving force behind transformative climate action across the country. 

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Q1.) How do civil society organisations (CSOs) contribute to building climate resilience for communities and India as a whole? Can you share any examples of innovative solutions led by CSOs that have made a significant impact? 

Climate change poses one of the most significant global challenges of our time, and India's journey towards climate resilience is heavily reliant on the work of civil society organisations (CSOs). These organisations play a crucial role, particularly at the grassroots level, in translating complex policy changes around climate into straightforward, actionable insights for vulnerable communities. They serve as intermediaries between national and local bodies, facilitating a two-way flow of knowledge and making climate action both more applicable and informed. 
 
CSOs as Knowledge Brokers and Implementers 
 
Civil society organisations, especially in the Global South, are often the cornerstones in climate action. They function as knowledge brokers, translating complex climate data into accessible, practical solutions for local communities. As “implementation partners” for larger NGOs, multilateral organisations, or even government bodies, CSOs ensure that national climate policies are aligned with local realities.  
 
A prime example of this in India is the innovative use of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in the Sundarbans. Here, CSOs have spearheaded initiatives such as solar energy solutions and mangrove restoration projects. These efforts serve a dual purpose: mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration and providing natural defense against extreme weather thereby supporting adaptation and resilience.  
 
Q2.) What would be the ideal approach to integrate and advocate for these traditional practices while incorporating modern scientific methods that new stakeholders might want to implement? How can we preserve the essence of these traditional approaches without them being overshadowed by modern innovations? 

Climate change, as we know it, is a modern problem, driven by the industrial revolution and its rapid rise in CO₂ emissions. While traditional knowledge—rooted in resource management, water conservation, and ecological practices—was never designed to tackle climate change on today’s scale, it remains highly relevant. What’s needed is a transdisciplinary approach that blends this wisdom with modern science. 
 
Geologists remind us that Earth’s climate has always fluctuated, but the extreme events we face today—floods, droughts, and heatwaves—are largely the result of 20th-century human activity. Traditional knowledge from the Global South, like flood management in the Gangetic Plains, offers valuable adaptation techniques. Ancient communities worked with natural cycles, but modern interventions disrupted these systems. Today’s climate challenges demand that we reintegrate traditional wisdom into contemporary resource management and adaptation strategies.   

 
Q3.) What are some of the most pressing climate challenges we currently face or may encounter in the distant future? Which issues demand urgent attention and action? 

The most pressing climate challenges we face include events like floods, droughts, and heat waves, which are becoming more frequent and severe, endangering lives and livelihoods. Beyond these sudden disasters, a slower but equally dangerous threat looms: climate change’s long-term impact on food security and agriculture, particularly in the Global South.  
 
South Asia, home to some of the world’s most vulnerable regions, faces the dual challenge of poverty and a heavy reliance on ecosystem services. As climate change disrupts these services—such as soil formation and food production—communities are left increasingly vulnerable. Coastal areas are particularly threatened by rising sea levels and increasing salinity, jeopardizing both agricultural lands and human survival.  
 
Meanwhile, climate finance is skewed, with 85-90% directed towards energy transition and a mere 5-10% towards adaptation, reflecting a Global North-centric approach. This disparity demands urgent action to address the adaptation needs of vulnerable communities in the Global South. 
 

Q4.) What is your view on the direction in which funds are allocated toward achieving climate resilience? Would you have suggestions on how the allocation can be made more efficient and fruitful? Additionally, what role can a collaborative like the ClimateRISE Alliance play in facilitating such changes? 

Climate finance needs realignment, as current funding prioritizes mitigation over adaptation due to the focus on economic returns. Projects like solar energy offer immediate ROI, while adaptation efforts—such as building embankments or planting mangroves—provide essential public goods but lack short-term profits. However, these projects offer high social returns, acting as insurance against climate risks. 
 
To increase adaptation funding, organizations like ClimateRISE Alliance and CSOs can mobilize funds through philanthropy and private sector involvement. Incentives like adaptation bonds or mandatory CSR allocations for adaptation can drive investment. It’s crucial to distinguish climate finance from general development funding, as adaptation projects specifically target climate risks. With global wealth projected to reach $629 trillion by 2027-28, mobilizing just 1% annually could close the SDG financing gap and boost adaptation funding. It’s time to prioritize investments that safeguard vulnerable communities. 

Q5.) How can the private sector take more ownership through operational initiatives and CSR to become climate resilient? 

The private sector must stop viewing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an external duty and realize that climate change directly affects their operations. Companies investing in ESG practices often see higher financial returns, highlighting how their bottom lines are tied to these efforts. Beyond mitigating their environmental footprints, businesses should recognize that climate action serves their own long-term survival. 
 
Adopting frameworks like Porter and Kramer’s shared value model can help corporations integrate sustainability into their strategies. For example, Nestlé's training of cocoa farmers in sustainable practices enhances soil fertility, reduces emissions, and strengthens their value chain. This approach benefits both business and society. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are key in bridging the gap between corporate strategies and sustainable practices, ensuring mutual benefits for all stakeholders. 
 
Q6.) What key policy changes could help India advance its climate interventions effectively? 

India has made solid progress in climate mitigation efforts, consistently ranking high in climate performance indicators. Having said that, the pressing need is to focus on adaptation, particularly for vulnerable communities impacted by climate change-induced poverty and hunger. This requires a micro-level intervention that prioritises climate education, finance, and communication. 
 
For this, adaptation initiatives must transcend engagement at all levels—from the central government to local municipalities and village panchayats. Policymakers need to be well-informed and educated, especially at the grassroots level. This is where Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role. CSOs engage in localised, ground-level action and simplify complex policies, making them accessible to local populations and policymakers alike. By fostering a decentralised approach to adaptation, we can better address the challenges posed by climate change and ensure that interventions are effective.   
 

Q7.) Has the climate conversation in India evolved throughout your career? What is your perspective on this evolution? 

I began my career as an economist when climate change was seen as a minor issue within environmental economics, focused on externalities like pollution. Over time, ecological economics emerged, recognizing climate change as a developmental issue, not just an environmental one.  
This shift came from understanding that unbridled economic growth, driven by human desire, has compromised key indicators like food security, health, and ecosystems. 
We realized that climate change is an anthropogenic problem.  Earlier, the environment was seen as not merely tangential, but asymptotic to human existence. Now, there's a growing awareness that the Global North has benefited from industrialization at the expense of the Global South, aggravating climate change and its impacts. 
 
This has made climate change a more inclusive, global issue, emphasising both its human roots and the need for equitable solutions. The conversation now acknowledges climate change as a shared responsibility, requiring developmental considerations in its response.