A sustainable future demands more than cutting emissions — it requires fairness, inclusion, and putting communities at the heart of climate solutions.
As the world grows hotter, the call for climate action grows louder. But amid the discussions about carbon emissions, net-zero targets and green technologies, one truth risks being overlooked: climate action that is not centred on communities, especially the most vulnerable, is fundamentally incomplete.
To build a truly sustainable future, we must ask harder questions. Who benefits from climate action, and who might be left behind? What does it take to not just reduce emissions, but ensure fairness, inclusion and resilience for all?
More than just a warming planet
The effect of climate change is no longer abstract. The World Meteorological Organisation has confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with global temperatures reaching 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. But rising temperatures are only the beginning.
Communities around the world are already experiencing the consequences — extreme heatwaves, prolonged droughts, devastating floods, shifting rainfall patterns and accelerating biodiversity loss. These events are not isolated; they reflect a complex intersection of
environmental, economic, technological and social forces shaping our shared
future. The consequences will ripple across businesses, economies, communities
and generations.
The Deloitte Economics Institute estimates a well-managed climate transition could add US$43 trillion to the global economy by 2070. But an unmanaged crisis could cost US$173 trillion and exacerbate inequality worldwide.
When the climate crisis becomes a social crisis
While climate change affects all of us, it does not affect us equally.
Those with the fewest resources and the lowest historical emissions often bear the greatest burdens. In low-income and climate-vulnerable regions, local and indigenous communities are confronting rising food insecurity, job losses and displacement.
The danger lies in climate solutions that, if not inclusively planned, can inadvertently exacerbate these inequities. Large-scale infrastructure projects intended to mitigate climate impacts, such as dams, coastal defences or reforestation initiatives, can displace communities, disrupt traditional livelihoods or restrict access to land and resources. Similarly, carbon offset programmes and land-use changes might compete with food production, driving up costs and affecting food security for the struggling population.
To break this cycle, any transition to a green economy must not just be swift; it must also be just.
People at the centre of progress
Sustainability leaders and climate veterans are now pushing for an approach where climate action and social justice go hand in hand, ensuring that communities are on the frontlines of climate change and are central to our decision-making, innovation and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
This means involving marginalised groups in planning, investing in underserved regions and communities, preparing vulnerable workers for green jobs and designing accessible and inclusive climate finance packages. It is about ensuring smart, sustainable development that strengthens societal foundations.
Why fairness is a business imperative
Integrating equity into sustainability efforts can enhance a company’s brand reputation, foster stronger community relationships and cultivate a more engaged and resilient workforce. According to Deloitte’s 2024 CXO Sustainability Report (India insights), 55 percent of global executives now see equitable transition as essential to their sustainability strategies. The leaders are taking action by:
- Working with local communities to help mitigate climate change vulnerability and address historic environmental inequities
- Preparing workers to transition to green jobs, with more than 800 million jobs globally vulnerable to climate extremes and economic transition.
- Consulting with local communities and stakeholders on new projects
- Directing investment to vulnerable communities and/or developing markets
This momentum is particularly strong in India. About 62 percent of Indian CXOs report that equity is a core pillar of their climate strategy, signalling a growing commitment to inclusive climate leadership. By collaborating with local communities and preparing the workforce for green jobs, Indian businesses can set new benchmarks for a just transition. Deloitte continues to work with boards and leadership teams to embed equity into sustainability efforts and ensure executive accountability in driving these green initiatives.
A story from the fields: Climate equity in action
Inclusive climate action can deliver a transformative effect when equity and access are central to the solution.
In northern India, Deloitte collaborated with the governments of Haryana and Punjab to tackle stubble burning, a significant environmental and public health challenge. Each year, thousands of farmers burn crop residue after harvest, releasing large volumes of greenhouse gases and contributing to severe air pollution.
Recognising that sustainable change requires inclusive solutions, the Crop Residue Management initiative focused on enabling access to alternatives. Over 1.5 lakh farmers – many of them small and marginal – were engaged through 1,100+ awareness/training events and targeted messaging programmes. Over 6,500 equipment owners were brought on board a farmer-centric mobile app – Krishi Yantra Saathi. The app facilitated equipment sharing, making it easier for farmers to adopt residue management practices without incurring high individual costs.
The impact was measurable and meaningful: around a 50 percent reduction in stubble burning in Haryana and an 86 percent drop in targeted districts of Punjab. Beyond emissions reduction, the programme also helped clear over 12 lakh acres of land, improved air quality and increased farmer incomes. It promoted using crop residue as feedstock for ethanol production, supporting clean energy goals and economic opportunity.
The initiative did not just address an environmental issue; it demonstrated how equitable climate action can uplift communities while advancing broader sustainability goals.
The way forward: A fair future is possible
As we move deeper into the climate era, one thing is clear: a low-carbon future cannot come at the cost of fairness. True sustainability means more than decarbonising economies. It means strengthening communities, respecting diversity and allowing everyone to thrive. It means building a green transition that is not only fast and ambitious but also inclusive and just.
The path ahead will be complex, and progress will not be easy. But if we keep people at the heart of climate strategies, we can create a harmonious future for the planet and the people.
AUTHOR
Viral Thakker, Partner and Leader – Sustainability & Climate, Deloitte South Asia.