Data highlights that 83% of corporates surveyed are confident that India will meet its net-
zero goals.
More than 90% of corporates surveyed are already investing in the energy transition and
low carbon solutions.
Low carbon solutions are perceived as integral to socio-economic growth.
Report shows that corporates surveyed anticipate they will see a gradual phaseout of
fossil fuels over the next two decades as India transitions.
Green and sustainability-linked bonds and loans are emerging as popular sustainable
finance instruments.
11 February 2026, India: Standard Chartered today unveiled a new report titled, ‘India and the
Energy Transition’, in which Corporate India expressed confidence in the country’s ability to deliver
on its net zero ambitions. The report, which surveyed 40 businesses, highlights that 83% of these
corporates have already established net zero strategies and as many as 93% are actively investing
in solutions to reduce emissions.
This survey points to a broadly optimistic corporate outlook on India’s environmental and energy
transition pathway. On future investment intentions, almost all surveyed corporates (98%) indicated
that they expect their investments in sustainable solutions to increase during the next five years.
Despite corporate ambition, the data also showed that less than 40% of the Indian corporates
surveyed have so far engaged with sustainable finance solutions, while just 32% have been
exposed to carbon credits. But data points to appetite to change this significantly, as 86% of
corporates surveyed expect to use sustainable finance solutions in the future, while 88% of
corporates asked expect to be active in the carbon credit market.
The emphasis on sustainable finance for funding among Indian corporates is evident with green
and sustainability-linked bonds and loans emerging as the most widely preferred options.
Companies with exposure to water and those with labour-intensive operations have also shown an
interest in blue bonds and social bonds.
Corporate funding requirements associated with the energy transition are likely to be high, given
that annual investments of as much as USD 300 billion is needed for India to reach net zero. The
report outlines that carbon markets are likely to play an increasingly important role in facilitating the
flow of capital towards decarbonisation efforts, enabling companies to complement direct emissions
reductions using carbon credits.
Beyond emissions reduction, corporates surveyed view the shift towards renewable energy as
central to improving India’s economic resilience and reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports. With
total power consumption projected to grow, the report highlights the scale of investment required to
expand domestic power generation while strengthening energy security and limiting environmental
impact. Indian corporates remain upbeat about transport electrification, with 83% expecting India’s
car and motorcycle fleet to be largely electric by 2050.
Commenting on the report, Ben Daly, Global Head of Transition Finance, Standard
Chartered, said, “India’s energy transition is gaining tangible momentum. The report underscores
rising electricity demand, growing corporate investments in clean energy and the pivotal role of
sustainable finance and carbon markets. These trends will be critical in meeting rising energy
demand while enhancing long-term energy security and economic resilience.”
Shobana Chawla, Head of Sustainable Finance, India, Standard Chartered, said, “We believe
India can further accelerate the adoption of low carbon solutions if it can focus on three priorities –
grow local manufacturing capacity at scale, expand Government support schemes for low carbon
solutions, and support the financial sector in becoming an enabler in offering sustainable finance
solutions to corporates in India.”
The report notes that while India is currently the world’s third-largest emitter, its per-capita emissions
remain lower than those of developed economies, underscoring the importance of a balanced,
growth-oriented transition. The findings highlight strong appetite from the corporate sector in India
to expand energy transition solutions across India, supported by policy, capital markets and
corporate action.
