Climate Change Department Has Just 15 Staff; Modi Claims Credit, But Gujarat Faces Mounting Climate Risks

Despite being India’s first state to create a Climate Change Department, Gujarat continues to struggle with rising emissions, heatwaves, floods and climate-related losses

Ahmedabad, June 11, 2026 | By Dilip Patel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted Gujarat’s role as a pioneer in climate governance, noting that the state established India’s first dedicated Climate Change Department years ago. Referring to renewable energy initiatives such as the Charanka Solar Park and the state’s green development agenda, Modi projected Gujarat as a leader in India’s transition toward a sustainable future.

However, a closer look at official data presents a more complex picture. While Gujarat has invested in renewable energy and climate-related programs, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and climate-linked economic losses remain substantial.

For 2026-27, the Gujarat government has allocated ₹429 crore for environmental protection and climate-related programs. The allocation represents a significant reduction compared to the previous budget and remains a small fraction of the state’s nearly ₹4 lakh crore overall budget.

India’s First Climate Change Department

Gujarat established its Climate Change Department in 2009-10 and it is widely regarded as India’s first dedicated state-level climate department.

The department was created to coordinate climate action across sectors including energy, agriculture, water resources, forests, health, urban development and disaster management. It also prepared the state’s Climate Action Plan and greenhouse gas inventories.

Despite its pioneering status, the department reportedly operates with only around 15 employees, with annual salary expenditure estimated at roughly ₹2 crore.

Experts argue that addressing climate change in a state as large and industrialized as Gujarat requires significantly greater institutional capacity.

Budget Priorities

A major share of the 2026-27 climate-related allocation has been earmarked for rooftop solar installations on government buildings.

Key provisions include:

• ₹278 crore for solar rooftop systems on government buildings
• ₹16 crore subsidy for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers
• ₹12 crore for biogas plants in gaushalas and educational institutions
• ₹9 crore for climate education programs in schools
• ₹7 crore for improved crematorium infrastructure
• ₹5 crore for climate and environmental startups

While these measures support clean energy adoption, critics argue that they may not be sufficient to address the scale of Gujarat’s climate vulnerabilities.

Gujarat’s Carbon Footprint Continues to Rise

According to greenhouse gas assessments, Gujarat’s total emissions in 2023 were estimated at approximately 261 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.

The state accounts for roughly 9.5-10 percent of India’s total emissions, while per-capita emissions stand at around 3.66 tonnes CO₂e.

Between 2005 and 2023, emissions reportedly increased at an average annual rate of 4.29 percent.

Major emission sources include:

• Power generation: 24.66%
• Industrial energy consumption: 17.40%
• Road transport: 10-13%
• Refineries and petrochemicals
• Cement and chemical industries

Five Districts Dominate Emissions

Nearly 58 percent of Gujarat’s emissions originate from five districts:

• Kutch – 17.8%
• Jamnagar – 13.13%
• Surat – 10.57%
• Kheda – 8.44%
• Bharuch – 7.97%

Kutch’s rapid industrialization, ports, coal-based power generation and mineral industries make it the state’s largest emission hotspot.

Jamnagar’s emissions are driven largely by its globally significant refining complex, while Surat and Bharuch are major industrial centers.

Growing Economic Cost of Climate Change

Analyses suggest that Gujarat could be facing annual climate-related economic risks ranging from ₹30,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore or more.

Estimated losses between 2001 and 2025 include:

• Cyclones: ₹30,000-45,000 crore
• Floods and extreme rainfall: ₹45,000-70,000 crore
• Droughts: ₹20,000-35,000 crore
• Heatwaves: ₹5,000-15,000 crore

Total cumulative losses are estimated at between ₹1 lakh crore and ₹1.6 lakh crore.

Heatwaves Becoming More Severe

One of the clearest impacts of climate change in Gujarat is the increasing intensity and duration of heatwaves.

Cities and regions including Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Kutch and Saurashtra have experienced rising temperatures, more hot days and warmer nights.

The consequences include:

• Increased heat-related illnesses
• Higher electricity demand
• Greater dependence on air conditioning
• Reduced agricultural productivity

Coastal Regions Under Pressure

Coastal districts such as Kutch, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Surat, Valsad and Porbandar are increasingly vulnerable to shoreline erosion, salinity intrusion and sea-level rise.

Mangrove ecosystems are also facing pressure, while southern Gujarat has witnessed repeated episodes of flooding and extreme rainfall.

Vehicles Remain a Major Source of Emissions

Road transport continues to be one of Gujarat’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

By 2026, the state is estimated to have around 5.3 million registered cars and jeeps.

With each car emitting roughly 2 to 2.5 tonnes of CO₂ annually, passenger cars alone may account for approximately 11.6 million tonnes of emissions every year.

Additional estimated emissions include:

• Freight and commercial vehicles: 12.6 million tonnes
• Cars: 10.9 million tonnes
• Two-wheelers: 8.6 million tonnes
• Tractors: 3.4 million tonnes
• Auto-rickshaws: 1.7 million tonnes

The Larger Question

Gujarat undoubtedly pioneered climate governance by establishing India’s first Climate Change Department. Yet, as emissions continue to rise and climate-related disasters intensify, the central question remains whether current staffing, funding and policy interventions are sufficient to prepare the state for the environmental challenges of the coming decades.

The answer may determine not only Gujarat’s future resilience but also its credibility as a model for climate action in India.