World Bank has warned that climate change could erase lakhs of urban jobs in India by 2050. Rising temperatures, heat stress and extreme weather are expected to disrupt productivity across construction, manufacturing, transport and services. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai face major risks if adaptation measures are not taken quickly.
Delhi may lose more than four lakh jobs by 2050, rising further to over six lakh by 2080. Mumbai could see losses of two and a half lakh jobs by 2050. Kolkata is projected to lose more than three and a half lakh jobs by 2030, increasing to over eight lakh by 2080. Chennai may lose nearly one and a half lakh jobs by 2050.
South Asia as a whole already loses the equivalent of 31 million jobs every year due to extreme heat. By 2050, the region’s economy could shrink by nearly seven percent. India alone lost 194 billion dollars in potential income and 247 billion labour hours in 2024 because of heatwaves.
The report calls for urgent investment in climate resilient infrastructure, workforce adaptation and stronger urban planning. Expanding green cover, cool roofs, shaded workspaces and sustainable cooling solutions are vital. India’s sustainable cooling market could reach 1.6 trillion dollars by 2040, creating lakhs of new jobs while protecting livelihoods.