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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue III, March 2026
Role of NGOs in Mitigating Climate Change in Gujarat
Amit Patel
Department of Social Work, N. S. Patel Arts (Autonomous) College, Anand
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150300109
Received: 28 March 2026; 03 April 2026; Published: 22 April 2026
ABSTRACT
Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges, and India’s western state of Gujarat
faces distinctive risks due to its semi-arid geography, long coastline, and industrial profile. Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) have become crucial actors in bridging local realities with national and global climate
policies. This study explores the empirical role of NGOs in mitigating climate change across Gujarat. Drawing
upon secondary data from the Gujarat State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC), the Indian Meteorological
Department (IMD), and reports from organizations such as SEWA, Vasudha Foundation, and TERI, the paper
identifies how NGOs implement renewable energy solutions, afforestation, water conservation, and community-
based resilience programs. The findings demonstrate that NGOs not only complement state interventions but
also pioneer bottom-up innovations that strengthen climate governance. The study concludes with policy
recommendations to institutionalize NGO participation within Gujarat’s climate framework.
Keywords: Climate change, NGOs, Gujarat, mitigation, renewable energy, community resilience, adaptation,
SAPCC, India
INTRODUCTION
Background and rationale
Climate change is no longer an abstract environmental issue—it manifests through rising temperatures, altered
rainfall patterns, extreme weather, and disrupted livelihoods (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
[IPCC], 2022). India, being a developing country with vast ecological diversity, faces complex climate
challenges. Gujarat, one of India’s most industrially advanced states, presents a unique case of both vulnerability
and leadership in climate mitigation. The state’s long coastline (over 1,600 km), arid regions, and urban-
industrial centers such as Ahmedabad and Surat make it particularly sensitive to climate-induced stressors such
as drought, flooding, and heatwaves (Government of Gujarat, 2021).
While government-led frameworks like the Gujarat State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) provide
policy direction, effective mitigation at the community level often depends on Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs). These organizations operate at the intersection of science, society, and policy—facilitating behavioral
change, mobilizing local resources, and innovating low-cost climate solutions. Their decentralized structures
enable them to reach marginalized groups that formal government systems sometimes overlook (Sharma &
Gupta, 2021).
This research investigates the role of NGOs in mitigating climate change in Gujarat—empirically analyzing
interventions, impacts, and institutional dynamics that shape their work.
Problem statement
Despite progressive state-level climate strategies, the implementation gap between policy formulation and local
execution remains significant. While Gujarat has launched renewable energy and green development programs,
their success depends on micro-level adoption and behavioral change—areas where NGOs play a vital role. Yet,
there is limited empirical research documenting the actual scope, effectiveness, and challenges of NGO-led
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mitigation in Gujarat. This study fills that gap by integrating empirical data, project reports, and climate
indicators to evaluate NGO contributions.
Objectives of the study
1. To analyse the nature and scope of NGO-led climate mitigation initiatives in Gujarat.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of NGOs in implementing renewable energy, afforestation, and sustainable
livelihood programs.
3. To assess the partnership between NGOs and the state government in climate governance.
4. To identify challenges and recommend policy measures for enhancing NGO engagement.
Significance of the Study
This study contributes to existing literature in multiple ways. First, it provides a state-specific empirical analysis
of NGO-led climate mitigation in Gujarat, addressing a gap in localized research. Second, it integrates
quantitative and qualitative evidence to assess the effectiveness of NGO interventions. Third, it advances the
understanding of collaborative climate governance, highlighting NGOs as key actors in bridging policy and
grassroots implementation. Finally, the study offers policy-relevant insights that can inform climate strategies
not only in Gujarat but also in other climate-vulnerable regions of India.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Climate change and mitigation in India
India is among the top five global emitters of greenhouse gases but also among the most climate-vulnerable
nations (World Bank, 2023). National frameworks—such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change
(NAPCC)—outline missions for solar energy, sustainable agriculture, and energy efficiency. Yet, local-level
mitigation relies heavily on community participation and non-state actors (Ghosh & Raj, 2020).
The Gujarat context
Gujarat’s geography exposes it to multiple climate risks. The IMD (2023) reports a rise of approximately 0.8°C
in mean annual temperature over the last five decades. Rainfall patterns have become erratic, with frequent
droughts in the north (Banaskantha, Kachchh) and flooding in the south (Valsad, Bharuch). Coastal districts like
Bhavnagar, Porbandar, and Kachchh face sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, and cyclones (Government of
Gujarat, 2021).
Despite these challenges, Gujarat has emerged as a leader in renewable energy—hosting more than 13,000 MW
of installed solar and wind capacity (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy [MNRE], 2024). NGOs have
played a crucial role in promoting adoption and awareness at the grassroots level.
NGOs and climate change mitigation: Theoretical overview
NGOs are defined as voluntary, non-profit, and community-driven organizations that work independently
from the government but often in partnership with it (Lewis, 2014). In climate governance, NGOs fulfill multiple
roles:
Implementers: delivering projects like reforestation or renewable energy.
Catalysts: mobilizing local participation.
Advocates: influencing policy and corporate accountability.
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Monitors: ensuring transparency and environmental justice.
The theory of collaborative governance (Ansell & Gash, 2008) provides a useful lens—arguing that effective
environmental outcomes emerge when public institutions and civil society share decision-making
responsibilities.
Empirical studies on NGO interventions
Several empirical studies in India highlight NGO contributions:
Expanded Empirical Studies on NGO Interventions
Recent literature provides strong evidence of NGO contributions to climate mitigation in India and globally:
Agarwal & Narain (2019) highlight that community-based natural resource management led by NGOs
significantly reduces carbon emissions through sustainable agriculture.
Jain et al. (2021) found that decentralized renewable energy models implemented by NGOs improve
rural energy access while lowering fossil fuel dependency.
Kumar & Singh (2020) emphasize the role of NGOs in promoting climate-resilient agriculture in semi-
arid regions like Gujarat.
Gupta et al. (2022) demonstrate that NGO-led afforestation projects contribute to carbon sequestration
and biodiversity conservation.
Sharma (2021) identifies NGOs as key actors in bridging climate policy and grassroots implementation.
IPCC (2022) recognizes civil society organizations as critical stakeholders in achieving mitigation
targets.
UNEP (2021) reports that NGO partnerships accelerate adoption of clean technologies in developing
countries.
World Resources Institute (2020) highlights the effectiveness of NGOs in climate governance and
monitoring frameworks.
TERI (2021) shows measurable reductions in emissions through NGO-led microgrid systems.
SEWA (2022) integrates gender and climate action, showing improved sustainability outcomes.
Despite these contributions, there remains limited state-specific synthesis focusing exclusively on Gujarat, which
this study aims to address.
Conceptual framework
The conceptual model for this study situates NGOs within three interrelated domains of climate mitigation:
Domain
NGO Contribution
Example
Technological
Adoption of renewable and efficient technologies
SEWA solar pumps
Ecological
Reforestation, mangrove restoration
WWF, Grow Trees
Socioeconomic
Livelihood diversification, awareness, training
Deepak Foundation, Vasudha
Climate Profile and Mitigation Context of Gujarat
Climate trends and vulnerability
Gujarat’s geography stretches from the arid Kachchh plains to the humid coastal regions of south Gujarat,
making it highly climate-sensitive. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD, 2023), the
state’s average annual temperature increased by 0.8°C between 1961 and 2020, with a sharper rise in post-
monsoon and winter months. The average maximum summer temperature in north Gujarat often exceeds
42°C, with heatwaves increasing in frequency over the past two decades (IMD, 2023).
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Rainfall data show increasing variability:
Mean annual rainfall: ~700 mm,
Coefficient of variation: ~35%, indicating irregular distribution,
Frequent droughts in Banaskantha, Kachchh, and Surendranagar,
Excess rainfall and floods in Valsad, Bharuch, and Navsari (Government of Gujarat, 2022).
The State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC, 2021) highlights that 45% of Gujarat’s coastline is
categorized as “high or very high risk” due to sea-level rise, storm surges, and salinity intrusion (Mahapatra et
al., 2020). Coastal vulnerability is particularly acute around Bhavnagar, Porbandar, and the Gulf of Kachchh,
where industrial infrastructure and fishing livelihoods coexist with fragile ecosystems.
Sectoral emissions and mitigation priorities
Gujarat contributes about 8% of India’s total greenhouse gas emissions, largely from the energy and industrial
sectors (Central Pollution Control Board [CPCB], 2023). However, the state also leads in renewable energy,
with installed capacity exceeding 13,500 MW (9,000 MW solar and 4,500 MW wind) (Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy [MNRE], 2024).
The state’s mitigation strategy focuses on:
1. Renewable energy expansion
2. Energy efficiency in industries
3. Coastal and ecosystem restoration
4. Sustainable agriculture and water management
NGOs play a catalytic role in operationalizing these objectives at the local level.
Empirical Findings: NGO Contributions
This section presents the empirical evidence of how NGOs contribute to climate mitigation in Gujarat, structured
by thematic domains.
Renewable energy and low-carbon livelihoods
SEWA’s Solar Energy Initiatives
The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), founded in Ahmedabad in 1972, has become one of the
most influential NGOs linking women’s empowerment with climate action. Through projects such as Project
Surya (in collaboration with UNEP and ReNew Power), SEWA trained 3,500 women between 2020 and 2023
in solar technology maintenance, installation, and entrepreneurship (SEWA, 2023).
Empirical data from SEWA’s internal monitoring (2023) show:
Replacement of diesel-powered salt pumps with solar pumps in 22 coastal villages of Kachchh and
Patan.
Annual fuel savings: 1.2 million liters of diesel.
Estimated CO₂ emission reduction: ~3,200 tonnes per year.
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Income increase for workers: 15–20%, due to lower energy costs and better productivity.
These outcomes illustrate the dual benefits of emission reduction and livelihood resilience — consistent with
co-benefit frameworks proposed by the IPCC (2022).
TERI’s Microgrid Projects
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has implemented solar microgrids and clean cookstove programs
in rural Gujarat. Their 2021 evaluation report indicates:
35 microgrids established in Kachchh and Banaskantha districts,
Reaching 4,200 households,
Resulting in a 42% decline in kerosene consumption and 29% improvement in local air quality
indicators (TERI, 2021).
These empirical findings underscore that decentralized renewable projects, when facilitated by NGOs, produce
measurable emission reductions and community-level sustainability.
Ecosystem restoration and nature-based mitigation
Mangrove and afforestation projects
NGOs such as WWF-India, Grow Billion Trees Foundation, and Green Planet Foundation have undertaken
mangrove restoration in the Gulf of Kachchh and plantation drives in Saurashtra.
A 2022 field report from WWF-India documents:
Restoration of 1,200 hectares of mangroves between 2018–2022 in Jamnagar and Bhavnagar,
Sequestration potential: 7.8 tonnes CO₂/ha/year (WWF-India, 2022),
Reduction in coastal erosion by 20–25% in monitored sites.
Similarly, Grow Billion Trees Foundation (2023) reported the planting of 2.4 million trees across 12 districts of
Gujarat since 2020, with an estimated carbon offset of 130,000 tonnes assuming 70% survival rate.
Case Study: Coastal Community Involvement
Qualitative interviews with local NGOs in Dwarka district revealed a participatory model of mangrove planting
involving fisherfolk and women’s cooperatives. NGOs acted as intermediaries for technical guidance and
seedling procurement, while local residents provided land and maintenance labor. Respondents emphasized that
community participation was key to survival rates exceeding 75%, compared to below 50% in top-down
plantation projects.
Water resource management and sustainable agriculture
Gujarat’s recurrent droughts make water conservation a critical adaptation and mitigation domain. NGOs like
Deepak Foundation and Sadguru Water Development Foundation implement watershed management,
check dams, and micro-irrigation systems.
Empirical results (Deepak Foundation, 2022):
Constructed 96 check dams in Dahod, Panchmahal, and Narmada districts.
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Increased groundwater recharge by an average of 1.4 meters per year.
Enabled climate-smart agriculture practices for 5,200 farmers, leading to reduced fertilizer and diesel
use.
Farmers reported average yield increases of 18–22%, contributing to both livelihood improvement and indirect
emission reductions via resource efficiency.
Capacity building and community awareness
Vasudha Foundation and climate literacy
Vasudha Foundation’s Community Climate Dialogues (2021–2023) reached 25,000 rural citizens through
climate workshops in Ahmedabad, Anand, and Bhavnagar. Surveys revealed that 68% of participants adopted
energy-efficient lighting or waste segregation after NGO intervention (Vasudha Foundation, 2023).
These behavioral changes—though micro-level—demonstrate measurable mitigation potential when
aggregated. Empirical behavioral metrics confirm theories of environmental psychology suggesting that
awareness-based interventions are essential precursors to sustained climate action (Steg & Vlek, 2009).
Data Synthesis: Quantitative Overview
NGO/Project
Type of Intervention
Area/Districts
Beneficiaries
Key
Outcomes
SEWA –
Project Surya
Solar pumps for salt
workers
Kachchh,
Patan
4,500
Fuel saving,
women’s
income rise
TERI
Microgrids
Solar electrification
Banaskantha,
Kachchh
4,200
households
Reduced
kerosene use
WWF-India
Mangrove restoration
Jamnagar,
Bhavnagar
2,000
Erosion
control
Grow Billion
Trees
Afforestation drives
Saurashtra,
North Gujarat
50,000+
Urban and
rural tree
cover
Deepak
Foundation
Watershed
management
Dahod,
Narmada
5,200 farmers
Water
security,
productivity
Vasudha
Foundation
Climate literacy &
policy
Statewide
25,000
citizens
Awareness,
adoption of
efficiency
Policy Implications
The findings from Gujarat’s NGO sector indicate that non-state actors are critical intermediaries between
communities and government frameworks for climate adaptation. Policy implications derived from this research
are multi-layered:
Integrating NGOs into formal climate governance.
Gujarat’s Climate Change Department should institutionalize partnerships with NGOs through formal
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for project design, monitoring, and evaluation. This integration will
ensure that local knowledge and community outreach mechanisms directly influence state-level adaptation
policies.
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Decentralized climate financing.
Evidence from SEWA and AKRSP projects reveals that micro-finance and community-level revolving funds
help rural women and farmers adopt renewable energy and water-efficient technologies. Policies must create
localized “Climate Action Funds” to replicate such models statewide.
Capacity-building and knowledge transfer.
NGOs such as CEE and GES have accumulated rich field data on renewable energy education and biodiversity
management. Policy frameworks should formalize data-sharing platforms and training programs that allow
cross-learning between government agencies, universities, and NGOs.
Inclusion and gender-sensitive adaptation.
SEWA’s experience demonstrates that climate action without gender equity reproduces social vulnerability. The
Government of Gujarat’s climate policy should embed gender analysis within every adaptation and mitigation
project appraisal.
Sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration.
Policies encouraging regenerative farming, promoted by DSC and AKRSP, can reduce emissions while
enhancing soil carbon storage. Incentive schemes—such as payments for ecosystem services—should be
expanded to reward smallholders engaging in climate-friendly agriculture.
Monitoring, evaluation, and transparency.
NGOs should be granted access to public climate datasets and, in return, publish open-access annual reports of
emission reduction outcomes. This will align community action with India’s Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on empirical data and stakeholder consultations, the following recommendations are proposed:
1. Establish a State-NGO Climate Consortium (SNCC) to coordinate adaptation and mitigation projects
across Gujarat’s districts.
2. Develop a Climate Knowledge Portal integrating NGO case studies, datasets, and impact assessments for
public and academic access.
3. Expand CSR-NGO partnerships for renewable energy and water management projects.
4. Encourage joint research between universities and NGOs on local carbon-sequestration techniques.
5. Promote policy literacy campaigns for rural communities, empowering them to engage in climate planning
and grievance redressal.
6. Institute performance-based grants should be introduced to incentivize NGOs based on measurable climate
outcomes. These grants would reward organizations achieving targets such as carbon emission reduction,
renewable energy adoption, water conservation, and community participation.
The types of institutions targeted include:
Grassroots NGOs working in rural and tribal areas
Research-based NGOs and policy think tanks
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Community-based organizations (CBOs)
Social enterprises engaged in climate solutions
Academic institutions collaborating on climate research
Performance indicators may include:
Quantifiable emission reductions
Number of beneficiaries impacted
Area under afforestation/restoration
Adoption rate of clean technologies
Community participation levels
Such a funding model would enhance accountability, transparency, and efficiency, ensuring that financial
resources are directed toward high-impact climate interventions.
Limitations of the Study
This study has certain limitations. First, it relies primarily on secondary data sources, which may limit the depth
of field-level validation. Second, the analysis focuses on selected NGOs and may not fully represent all
organizations working in Gujarat. Third, quantification of emission reductions is based on reported estimates
rather than independent measurement. Finally, time and resource constraints restricted extensive primary data
collection. Future research should incorporate longitudinal field studies and comparative analysis across states.
CONCLUSION
This empirical study demonstrates that NGOs in Gujarat play a transformative role in mediating climate
mitigation and adaptation. Through participatory governance, community mobilization, and localized
technological interventions, they bridge the gap between policy design and grassroots realities.
Organizations like CEE, AKRSP, SEWA, DSC, and GES exemplify innovation in renewable energy education,
watershed restoration, gender-responsive climate action, and sustainable livelihood creation.
However, fragmented coordination and limited funding constrain their potential. Strengthening institutional
collaboration between NGOs and state agencies—supported by transparent funding mechanisms and data
sharing—will accelerate Gujarat’s transition toward climate resilience.
In conclusion, empowering NGOs as co-architects of climate policy, rather than peripheral implementers, is
essential to achieving India’s broader sustainable-development and net-zero commitments.
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