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A recent national study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) indicates that India could draw nearly USD 4.1 trillion in cumulative green investments and create about 48 million full-time equivalent jobs by 2047. The assessment outlines 36 value chains across the energy transition, circular economy, bio-economy and nature-based solutions, marking them as major opportunities for long-term growth. It projects a USD 1.1 trillion annual green market by 2047, with electric mobility, bio-based industries, agroforestry, green construction, and circular manufacturing emerging as key sectors expected to scale significantly.
An independent national study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), released earlier this week, has projected that India could attract cumulative green investments worth about USD 4.1 trillion and generate nearly 48 million full-time equivalent jobs by 2047. It further estimates that the country could unlock an annual green market valued at USD 1.1 trillion by the same year. Advertisement
The assessment identifies 36 green value chains across the energy transition, circular economy, bio-economy and nature-based solutions. These segments together represent a significant opportunity for India as it works toward long-term sustainability goals under the Viksit Bharat vision. In earlier discussions around the green economy, attention often centred on solar energy and electric vehicles. However, the study points out that India's potential is far broader, extending into bio-based materials, green construction, agroforestry, sustainable tourism, circular manufacturing, waste-to-value industries and nature-linked livelihoods. Each of these areas is expected to expand steadily over the next two decades.
Jayant Sinha, president of Everstone Group and Eversource Capital and a former Union minister of state, noted that the study outlines how India's green transition could generate employment, support economic growth, improve public health and reduce external energy dependence. He stated that policy consistency and targeted solutions to issues such as land access and financing structures would be essential to attract large-scale investment. He added that a coordinated government approach could help mobilise the capital needed for this development pathway.
Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog, said the country, as it expands beyond a USD 3 trillion economy, must not mirror traditional development models used in the West. He explained that with a substantial share of India's infrastructure still to be built, there is a chance to design urban systems, industries and supply chains around circular practices, clean energy, and the bio-economy. Drawing on the example of digital public infrastructure, he mentioned that India has the opportunity to advance rapidly in establishing a green and resource-efficient economic model.
According to CEEW's analysis, the energy-transition segment alone could generate around 16.6 million jobs and attract nearly USD 3.79 trillion in investments across renewables, energy storage, distributed energy and clean mobility manufacturing. Electric mobility is identified as the highest job creator within this category and is expected to account for more than half of all employment related to the energy transition.
The study also highlights the scale of opportunity within the bio-economy and nature-based sectors, which are rooted largely in rural and peri-urban regions. These areas could support around 23 million jobs and unlock an estimated USD 415 billion in market value. Chemical-free agriculture and bio-inputs may create about 7.2 million jobs, followed by agroforestry and sustainable forest management with 4.7 million jobs, and wetland management generating around 3.7 million jobs.
Abhishek Jain, director for Green Economy and Impact Innovations at CEEW, said that a stronger green economy would not only stimulate job creation and economic prosperity but also help India reduce its import dependence across several critical commodities. He explained that the country imports 87 per cent of its crude oil, and this could be significantly reduced through electric mobility, solar power and advanced biofuels. He also noted India's complete import dependence on lithium, nickel and cobalt, and its high dependence on copper ore, all of which could be lowered through stronger circular systems. He added that the country's reliance on potash, urea and fertiliser imports could also be reduced through bio-inputs and broader development of the bio-economy, making green growth a long-term necessity.
Source PTI
5th Jun, 2025
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