Abstract

India stands at a critical juncture in its development trajectory, balancing rapid economic growth with urgent climate imperatives. This comprehensive research paper synthesizes findings from 551 peer-reviewed studies published between 2018 and 2026 to chart a transformative pathway toward environmental sustainability by 2047, coinciding with India's centenary of independence. As of 2023, India has achieved approximately 169 GW of renewable energy capacity, comprising solar (64 GW), wind (42 GW), hydropower (52 GW) and biofuels (11 GW), representing over 40% of total installed capacity (Bhardwaj, 2024). The nation has committed to ambitious targets including net-zero emissions by 2070, 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and a 45% reduction in emissions intensity from 2005 levels (Nagoji, 2025). This paper integrates three foundational pillars: renewable energy transition, green economy frameworks, and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) systems. Recent modeling studies demonstrate that achieving India's climate commitments requires unprecedented annual capacity additions of approximately 120 GW of non-fossil fuel sources, substantial energy storage deployment exceeding 160 GWh and cumulative investments estimated in trillions of dollars through 2070 (Bhattacharya et al., 2023). The analysis reveals that solar energy has achieved cost competitiveness with fossil fuels, positioning it as the cornerstone of India's decarbonization strategy (Venkatesh, 2024). However, significant challenges persist including grid integration complexities, financing constraints, just transition requirements for coal-dependent communities and the need to preserve traditional ecological knowledge systems that have sustained Indian communities for millennia. The paper presents evidence-based recommendations across policy, technology, finance, and social dimensions, emphasizing the integration of modern renewable technologies with indigenous wisdom. Five comprehensive frameworks illustrate the integration pathways, renewable energy roadmaps through 2047, circular economy models, TEK integration processes and implementation timelines. The findings underscore that India's 2047 vision is technically feasible but requires coordinated action across government, industry, civil society, and international partners, with particular attention to climate justice and inclusive development.