Stronger private finance and better datasets key to accelerating green transition in India: experts
November 7, 2025 | By Branding Manager
We focus exclusively on agricultural micro, small and medium enterprises and farmer-producer organisations, and a portion of our portfolio also includes direct farmer lending. The idea is to make agriculture part of the green finance conversation, says T. Vivekanandhan, Lead-ESG and Sustainable, Finance, Samunnati Finance, at panel discussion at The Hindu Sustainability Summit 2025
T. Vivekanandhan, Lead-ESG and Sustainable Finance, Samunnati Finance; Shravan Shankar, co-founder of Climake; and Gita Chengappa, General Manager of TREC-STEP, are in conversation with N. Ravikumar, Senior Deputy Editor-Reporting, The Hindu, in Chennai on Friday. | Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ
Climate finance experts underscored the need for innovative capital models, reliable data, and stronger private participation to accelerate India’s green transition. They were speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Financing the Green Transition: The Role of Sustainable Capital’ at The Hindu Sustainability Summit 2025.
Climate finance experts underscored the need for innovative capital models, reliable data, and stronger private participation to accelerate India’s green transition. They were speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Financing the Green Transition: The Role of Sustainable Capital’ at The Hindu Sustainability Summit 2025.
T. Vivekanandhan, Lead-ESG and Sustainable Finance, Samunnati Finance, said that while agriculture forms a significant part of India’s economy, it often remains outside the mainstream green finance. “We focus exclusively on agricultural micro, small and medium enterprises and farmer-producer organisations, and a portion of our portfolio also includes direct farmer lending. The idea is to make agriculture part of the green finance conversation,” he said, noting that the sector requires more targeted investment to build resilience and prepare it for climate challenges.
He explained how global investors and institutional funds are increasingly aligning with the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), channelling funds towards companies that demonstrate measurable environmental and social outcomes.
“Earlier, the classification of green finance was broad, but now with frameworks such as the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, clearer definitions are emerging. This is helping to ensure accountability in what qualifies as a green investment,” he said.
Shravan Shankar, co-founder of Climake, highlighted the need for blended finance and catalytic capital to bridge the funding gap between the public and private sectors. “Public capital has a market-making role — it can de-risk investments, offer guarantees, and create enabling conditions for private players to participate. But scaling from billions to trillions will require private capital to step in decisively,” he said.
Green financing
Mr. Shankar pointed out that while India’s green financing has grown substantially — with renewable energy, electric mobility, and energy transition sectors leading the way — other critical areas such as adaptation and resilience remain underfunded.