New Delhi: The India-Germany Climate Talks, hosted by the German Embassy in New Delhi on Thursday, focused on the role of women in shaping the country's clean energy transition, calling for them to be recognised as innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, community leaders and decision-makers, according to a statement issued by the embassy.
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The event also marked the launch of the book "Powering the Future: Women at the Heart of India's Energy Transition," authored by Neha Saigal, co-founder of Intertidal Lab and Climate & Care Initiative, Bengaluru, and published by Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs), New Delhi.
Delivering the opening remarks, Dr Philipp Ackermann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to India, spoke about the importance of inclusive climate action and the growing India-Germany partnership in advancing a just energy transition.
"A gender-responsive energy transition is not just good for gender equality, it is an economic opportunity. India's journey towards renewable energy can unlock more markets, create more jobs, and drive innovation if women have equal access to resources, decision-making, and leadership. Germany is proud to partner with India in making this a reality. By bringing forward the experiences of women at the grassroots, this conversation reminds us that the transition is as much about people and communities as it is about technology. Through the Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development, India and Germany are not only advancing clean energy but also building a future that is people-centred, inclusive, and leaves no one behind," Ackermann said.
The publication draws on the experiences of women across Odisha, Punjab, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, showing how they are shaping India's energy future while underscoring the need to integrate gender as a core pillar of climate and energy policy.
"India's energy transition presents an opportunity to place gender at the heart of policy and decision-making, not as an afterthought but as a foundation for a just transition. Women are central to energy systems as users, providers of care, and drivers of livelihoods, and their leadership and lived experiences must shape the transition. We need to move beyond speaking of a single 'energy transition' and recognise that India is experiencing multiple energy transitions, each shaped by local realities and the lived experiences of its communities. A just transition is not only about moving away from fossil fuels, but about ensuring we do not recreate existing inequalities as we build a cleaner energy future," Saigal said.
The book launch was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Jochen Luckscheiter, Director, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, New Delhi. The panel featured Dr Priyadarshini Karve, Founder of Samuchit Enviro Tech and CEO, Clean Energy Access Network, Pune, and Dr Amrita Rana, Radiologist, Director, Rana Diagnostics and Founding Member, Clean Air Punjab, alongside author Neha Saigal.
The discussion examined the opportunities and barriers women continue to face across the energy ecosystem, from research and innovation to entrepreneurship, community leadership and policymaking. The panellists said a successful transition must be people-centred, ensuring women have equitable access to finance, technology, leadership opportunities and decision-making processes.
Karve shared insights from her work at the intersection of science, entrepreneurship and decentralised renewable energy, and spoke about expanding access to clean energy solutions while creating opportunities for women to lead innovation and enterprise. Rana, speaking on the links between public health, clean mobility and climate action, discussed how community engagement and women's leadership can accelerate cleaner transport solutions and improve air quality across Indian cities.
Luckscheiter said addressing climate change requires not only technological innovation but also greater inclusion and representation within the energy sector. The panellists said India's energy transition presents an opportunity to advance climate action, economic development and gender equality at the same time, adding that embedding gender-responsive approaches into energy planning, strengthening women's participation across the clean energy value chain and supporting local leadership would be critical to a just and resilient transition.
The statement said Germany has been a longstanding partner in India's sustainable development and energy transition through technical cooperation, climate finance and policy partnerships, with the collaboration increasingly focused on ensuring that climate action is inclusive and responsive to the needs and leadership of women and local communities.
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The event concluded with an interactive audience discussion on the role of young women, researchers, entrepreneurs and civic leaders in shaping India's low-carbon future.