NDC-driven export opportunities: How climate pledges translate into Swiss SME mandates

Billions of dollars are flowing into climate mitigation and adaptation every year. Behind these numbers are not abstract promises, but tenders, project pipelines, and investment decisions, often long before they make the headlines. Those who spot the signals early have a real advantage.

This is where Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) come in. For S-GE, NDCs are much more than climate policy documents: they are one of the most reliable sources for identifying long-term priorities and concrete projects, with time horizons extending to 2035 and beyond.

India's NDC 3.0: Ambition with Substance

At the end of March 2026, the Indian cabinet approved its next-generation climate targets; they were officially submitted to the UNFCCC on 24 April 2026. The headline figures are impressive: by 2035, the carbon intensity of GDP is to fall by 47% compared to 2005 levels, 60% of installed power capacity is to come from non-fossil sources, and CO_2 sinks from forests and tree cover are to be expanded to 3.5-4 billion tonnes of CO_2 equivalent. This is complemented by a long-term net-zero target for 2070.

India's commitment to these ambitions is already visible on the ground: the 50% target for non-fossil installed capacity was reached in June 2025, five years ahead of schedule. Overall, S-GE analyses indicate that substantial investment will be required to meet the NDC targets by 2030.

Where the Opportunities Lie and Where Swiss Strengths Are in Demand

S-GE has produced a dedicated report on NDC-related business opportunities for Swiss infrastructure and cleantech companies in India. Written by local experts from the Swiss Business Hub India and the International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC), the report identifies specific projects across four priority sectors:

Transport: Electric mobility, clean air, urban mobility, with projects including the Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Programme (USD 305 million) and the Haryana Clean Air Project (USD 500 million).

Energy: Grid expansion, storage technology, solar, including the Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Programme (USD 915 million) and the Himachal Pradesh Power Sector Development Programme (USD 250 million).

Water & Waste Management: Water supply, sanitation, circular economy, including the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Project (USD 236 million).

Social & Commercial Infrastructure: Climate-resilient urban development, building energy efficiency, smart cities, including the Amaravati Inclusive and Sustainable Capital City Development Programme (USD 973 million).

Development Banks as the Gateway to Market Access

Multilateral development banks play a pivotal role in financing these projects. The World Bank Group has a substantial presence in India: the IBRD alone holds commitments of around USD 17.8 billion, while the IFC, the World Bank Group's private sector arm, makes India its largest global investment destination with a total portfolio of approximately USD 10.3 billion (as of June 2025). The Asian Development Bank (ADB) committed over USD 5 billion to India in 2025, of which around USD 4.26 billion took the form of sovereign loans. Bilateral partners such as the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), KfW, and AFD add further depth to this financing landscape.

For Swiss companies, this is particularly significant: development banks and climate funds typically require internationally open competitive tenders for project implementation, and S-GE maintains direct relationships with the key players in this financing environment.

Swiss companies can also mitigate country risk through the Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV), an important instrument especially when financing large-scale infrastructure projects.

The Time to Act Is Now

With the EFTA-India Free Trade Agreement (TEPA) in force since 1 October 2025, market access conditions for Swiss exporters have improved considerably. India will progressively reduce tariffs on 95.3% of industrial imports from Switzerland. For companies offering solutions in energy efficiency, grid and metering technology, clean mobility, or water infrastructure, a fast-moving market is opening up.

Timing is everything: those who engage with project pipelines and decision-makers today will not be negotiating under competitive pressure. They will be positioning themselves before the market takes shape.

How S-GE Can Help

S-GE has developed a detailed report based on India's NDC and Biennial Update Report, authored by local experts and validated through direct stakeholder dialogues with government representatives, international financial institutions, and industry players. The Swiss Business Hub India has identified specific projects and key decision-makers, and can provide targeted support to Swiss companies throughout their market development journey.

S-GE will continue to systematically analyse NDC documents and Biennial Transparency Reports to identify emerging projects relevant to Swiss focus sectors and to build connections with the decision-makers who matter.

Interested? Get in touch. We will support you every step of the way, from initial market assessment to concrete project development in India.