Climate Resilience at the G7: India's Role in a Warming World

The Group of Seven (G7) has undergone a remarkable transformation since its inception.

- Santanu Mishra

Once focused primarily on economic coordination among industrialised democracies, the G7 has become a central forum for addressing the most urgent planetary challenges. In 2025, as climate impacts intensify globally, the G7 has placed climate resilience at the heart of its agenda, not just as an environmental concern but as a core issue of global security, development, and economic stability.

1. The Climate Crisis as a Resilience Crisis

Historically, global climate diplomacy has been dominated by mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While this remains crucial, the growing severity and frequency of climate disasters have made it clear that mitigation alone is insufficient. Adaptation and resilience are now seen as equal pillars in securing the future.

The 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, marked a turning point. The summit's outcomes included the adoption of a Wildfire Charter, greater alignment on infrastructure resilience, renewed support for National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and a strong push to mobilise private capital for resilience investments. Notably, India— although not a G7 member—played a central role in shaping these priorities, signalling a deeper collaboration between advanced economies and the Global South.

2. The Evolution of Resilience on the G7 Agenda

Over the past five years, climate resilience has steadily moved from the margins to the centre of G7 discussions.

• 2021 (Cornwall): The G7 recognised the growing gap in adaptation finance and the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries.

• 2022 (Schloss Elmau): The Climate Club was launched, focusing on decarbonization but leaving adaptation relatively underexplored.

• 2023 (Hiroshima): The first in-depth dialogues on resilience investments in food and energy systems were held.

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