India’s net-zero ambitions require a profound rethinking of how development and decarbonization intersect—not just in theory, but in the way institutions operate, capital is mobilized, and communities are engaged. This opening panel will explore the structural trade-offs and coordination challenges involved in aligning national climate goals with local development imperatives. It will examine how policy frameworks, financial innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystems can work together to support transitions that are both equitable and executable. Drawing on cross-sector experience and past fieldwork, the conversation will surface actionable insights on how India—and by extension, other emerging economies—can structure a pragmatic yet ambitious path to net zero.