Driving Sustainable Growth: Abhijeet Sinha’s Vision for Circular Economy and Climate Financing in India

Abhijeet Sinha is a prominent technocrat and policy entrepreneur recognised for his leadership in piloting emerging technologies and advancing the circular economy in India. He currently serves as the National Program Director of Ease of Doing Business and Project Director for the National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV), among other influential roles.

Vision and Advocacy for the Circular Economy

Abhijeet Sinha has been a vocal advocate for integrating circular economy principles into India’s growth model. He emphasises that as India aspires to become a $35 trillion economy, a focus on sustainable cities and a balanced circular economy will be crucial. He highlights the need for economic progress to harmonise with environmental stewardship, drawing on India’s Vedic traditions of respecting nature and contrasting them with more resource-centric global approaches.
At key industry forums, such as the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Sustainable Cities Summit, Sinha has underscored the importance of resilience and sustainability in urban development. He points to the global recognition of initiatives like Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), adopted by the G20, as evidence of India’s leadership in sustainable practices.

“A nation’s true strength lies in its ability to grow without exhausting what sustains it. Circular economy models, backed by blended financing and emerging tech, will define the economies of the future. India has both the tradition and the tenacity to lead this global shift.” — Abhijeet Sinha

25 TH DEC 2021 | India COP 26 EV Rally

The COP26 EV Rally was a landmark event in the race towards a Greener, Cleaner & Aatmanirbhar Bharat. As India accelerated its commitment toward the global transition goal of 100% clean mobility, this rally stood out as India’s Largest EV Rally Grandshow, starting from Vrindavan, Mathura, to the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida.

It showcased the nation’s growing momentum in sustainable transportation and reinforced India’s leadership in clean, electric mobility on the global stage.

9th January 2024 | Climate Financing Program

On 9th January, 2024, under the leadership of Abhijeet Sinha, Ease of Doing Business organised the Climate Financing program as part of its ‘Tech for Circular Economy’ initiative. Blended Climate Financing is an Ease Of Doing Business initiative under its ‘Tech for Circular Economy’ program for Govt of India; contributing to building annual milestones of climate funds and green projects financing disbursed every year accumulating till 2030 up to $2 Trillion ‘Climate Financing’ to meet $10 Trillion Green Economy ambition of India by 2070. This facilitates multiple green funding instruments suitable for businesses to take boardroom decisions to decarbonize their mobility, infrastructure, and power, along with provisions to reduce their interest rate from sovereign green bonds and RBI initiatives to encourage banks to dispense green capital at a lower cost. EoDB also eases this mega transition with Single window clearance for constructions and permissions in association with local municipal and development authorities to provide speedy, time-bound clearance and map approvals for green projects.

While India is aiming for a 45% reduction in the emissions intensity of its GDP by 2030 compared to the 2005 level and a target to generate 50% of its power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, the country faces a substantial challenge due to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily driven by the energy sector, which accounts for approximately 75% of India’s total emissions. In the regime of Hon’ble PM, Shri Narendra Modi, 2015 onwards with the Inclusion of the renewable energy sector under the Priority Sector Lending scheme Govt of India went ahead with issuing Green Bond guidelines by SEBI in 2017 and the Reserve Bank of India joined the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) in 2021 and finally issued Sovereign Green Bonds in 2022. 

3rd September, 2024 | Climate Financing Roundtable

The Climate Financing Roundtable for Mobility & ZET-Tamil Nadu successfully focused on devising effective funding strategies for sustainable and zero-emission transportation. This pivotal program served as a key platform to explore cutting-edge financial solutions aimed at propelling progress toward India’s climate goals. It played a critical role in shaping the roadmap for the future of environmentally friendly and clean transportation.

11-14th February | India Energy Week 2025

India Energy Week 2025 stood as a global platform driving the energy transition and fostering conversations for a sustainable future.

At this prestigious event, NHEV – National Highways for EV made a significant mark by showcasing its 3rd Generation Charging Station 3D model at Stall 3C12, Hall No. 3. Visitors experienced firsthand the innovative infrastructure set to power India’s e-highways, while engaging in insightful discussions around the nation’s rapidly evolving EV ecosystem alongside leading Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

Adding to the momentum, a dedicated Climate Financing Program was also held during the event, spotlighting strategic financial models and collaborative frameworks essential to scale clean mobility projects and sustainable infrastructure across the country.

This convergence of technology, policy, and financing reaffirmed India’s commitment to achieving its clean energy goals and strengthening its leadership in the global energy transition.

Initiatives and Projects

Mr. Sinha’s work includes launching and supporting initiatives that directly contribute to the circular economy:

• Tech for Circular Economy:
  On July 27, 2022, at IIT Delhi, under the leadership of Abhijeet Sinha, the Ease of Doing Business — India’s premier tech-piloting agency — spearheaded the launch of the ‘Tech for Circular Economy’ initiative. This program champions the adoption of technologies, products, and services aimed at minimising environmental pollution and ecological depletion, while offering blended financing solutions to support businesses in transitioning toward sustainable, circular business models.
• Blended Financing Models
  Mr. Sinha is pioneering innovative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships and annuity-based models, to make sustainable infrastructure and technologies more accessible and scalable.
• NHEV
  NHEV is a pilot program aimed at transforming India’s national highways into smart e-highways equipped with 3rd Generation EV Charging Stations, energy management systems, and integrated mobility services. Designed to accelerate India’s shift to clean and sustainable mobility, the project directly contributes to the circular economy model by minimising dependence on fossil fuels and reducing vehicular emissions on intercity routes.
• Single Window Clearance Committee
  On 7th May, 2025, in a strategic move to fast-track approvals for green infrastructure, Ease of Doing Business has constituted the Single Window Clearance Process Committee, led by Mr. Abhijeet Sinha, National Program Director-Ease of Doing Business. This committee will review, revise, oversee, and recommend industry-best practices to streamline processes for both lessees and lessors of land parcels acquired for setting up 3G Energy Stations along India’s e-highways. By ensuring faster, transparent, and credible clearances, this initiative marks a decisive step towards accelerating India’s transition to sustainable infrastructure and climate-positive mobility.

Abhijeet Sinha’s work places him at the forefront of India’s transition to a circular economy, combining policy, technology, and finance to create scalable, sustainable solutions for the country’s future.

AUTHOR: BHUMICA KOHLI