The study assessed current and projected population exposure to heat risks in India, with key findings presented in the issue brief “Managing Monsoons in a Warming Climate” developed by IPE Global and Esri, India. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the increasing climate vulnerabilities across India, particularly in high-GDP states, which are driven by intensified heatwaves and erratic monsoon patterns. These compound risks threaten infrastructure, health systems, and livelihoods, highlighting the urgency of robust climate adaptation planning.
Our Role:
In partnership with Esri India, we conducted a pioneering multi-decadal regional climatological analysis to examine the attributional correlation between rising temperatures and extreme rainfall events. The study aimed to:
- Generate empirical evidence on how global warming–induced temperature increases are intensifying rainfall extremes, contributing to a deeper understanding of compound climate risks in India.
- Map emerging heatwave hotspots and identify climate-vulnerable zones using advanced geospatial and climate modelling tools.
- Highlight the accelerating rise in temperature and humidity levels, which are increasing the frequency, duration, and severity of heatwaves.
- Recommend actionable policy measures, including the establishment of a Heat Risk Observatory (HRO) to monitor, forecast, and respond to heat-related health and infrastructure risks at a granular level.
- Propose innovative climate finance solutions to bolster resilience.
- Advocate for the appointment of Heat Risk Champions to promote cross-sectoral coordination, enhance local awareness, and strengthen community-based adaptation.
Through this integrated approach, we contributed to advancing India’s climate resilience agenda by linking science-based evidence, policy innovation, and strategic climate finance mobilisation.
