Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday inaugurated India`s first Mumbai Climate Week 2026.
He said the event is a “significant milestone” in accelerating the state`s climate action agenda.
Fadnavis said climate action is not merely an environmental responsibility but a strategic necessity for future economic competitiveness.
“Climate action must translate into investment, innovation and job creation,” he said, adding that Maharashtra intends to position itself at the forefront of India’s green transition.
Climate change a governance challenge
Highlighting the growing impact of climate change on coastal cities, the CM said Mumbai has been witnessing extreme rainfall, flooding, heatwaves and disruption to livelihoods. Transport systems are frequently paralysed during heavy downpours, homes are submerged and businesses are forced to shut, he noted.
Rural Maharashtra faces unseasonal rainfall and crop losses, intensifying economic and social distress. Climate change has become a serious governance challenge, he said.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has balanced economic growth with environmental responsibility, Fadnavis said. The country has rapidly expanded its renewable energy capacity and emerged as a global clean energy leader, he added.
The state in this initiative aims to increase the share of green energy to over 50 per cent by 2030, focusing on clean hydrogen, electric mobility, biofuels and sustainable infrastructure. The state is also promoting renewable energy use in industries, expanding electric mobility, strengthening flood-control systems and adopting climate-smart urban planning across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Investment and climate finance focus
Calling for global partnerships, Fadnavis said public funds alone cannot meet the scale of investment required for climate action. He urged collaboration with international financial institutions and the private sector, advocating blended finance and risk-sharing models.
He added that Mumbai has the potential to emerge as a global climate finance hub. “Developing nations should not be forced to choose between development and environmental protection. With the right partnerships, both goals can be achieved,” he said.
The Chief Minister stressed that Mumbai Climate Week 2026 must move beyond dialogue and result in investment-ready projects and implementable partnerships.
One lakh additional PM-KUSUM pumps for Maharashtra
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi praised Maharashtra’s performance under the PM-KUSUM scheme and announced approval of an additional one lakh solar pumps for the state.
Joshi said Mumbai Climate Week symbolises the transition from climate discussion to concrete action. He noted that India, while remaining one of the fastest-growing economies, is taking decisive steps to reduce emissions.
He said Maharashtra has achieved notable progress in renewable energy through public participation, with solar projects installed in lakhs of homes. Renewable capacity, particularly solar and wind, has expanded significantly over the past decade. Work is also underway on energy storage, grid stability and AI-based demand management.
India has set global cost benchmarks in green hydrogen and green ammonia production, benefiting both industry and agriculture, Joshi added.
He said Mumbai should emerge as a voice of the Global South in climate leadership.
Youth participation crucial: Pankaja Munde
State Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde said climate action requires strong collaboration between government, civic bodies and citizens, with youth participation playing a central role.
She said rising urban temperatures, extreme rainfall, flooding, coastal stress and air pollution are pressing concerns for Mumbai, while rural areas continue to grapple with unpredictable droughts and floods.
Mumbai Climate Week, she said, is designed not just for discussions but to accelerate implementation and unlock climate financing pathways. She urged stakeholders to actively participate and propose practical solutions.
Project Mumbai founder Shishir Joshi outlined the objectives of the initiative during the opening session.
On the occasion, a special commemorative postal stamp marking Mumbai Climate Week 2026 and a climate change report were released.
Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the United Nations Environment Programme to prepare Mumbai’s climate adaptation plans.
Another MoU was signed between MMRDA and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group to strengthen urban climate action.
