Many cities in India are challenged by rapid urban growth and continuing poverty of its inhabitants. Projections show that climate variability and change will further increase risks for people, assets, economies and ecosystems in urban areas. As more and more energy is being used in urban areas, cities are also becoming major emitters of greenhouse gas emissions. Cities authorities are therefore looking for solutions and support for dealing with these challenges. Although there recently has been considerable political attention on urban areas through the Government of India’s newly announced Smart Cities Mission (SCM, budget outlay of USD 7,1 billion for 100 cities), the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (NMSH), the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT, budget outlay of USD 7.4 billion for 500 cities) and the Cleaning India Mission, climate change has not yet become a major consideration in city planning across India.

Lower greenhouse gas emissions growth path achieved and resilience to climate change increased in select Indian cities.

The target group will include city authorities and their staff as well as the citizens of the four partner cities. About 40 city officials and 40 local consultants in four partner cities will acquire the capacity to develop and implement climate measures at the city level. Approximately 3,3 million citizens including 1.6 million women will benefit from climate-related measures and sectoral initiatives. Quick win projects are expected to provide direct benefits to approximately 300’000 people (including 145’000 women).

(i) Capacities of city authorities in four partner cities to plan and implement mitigation and adaptation measures are enhanced; (ii) City level climate change mitigation measures for priority sectors are initiated; (iii) City level climate change adaptation measures for priority sectors are initiated, and (iv) Awareness on low carbon and climate resilient city development is increased in India and other countries.

Expected results:  

• Climate profiles elaborated for four partner cities;
• Tools for city level mitigation and adaptation planning and financing developed, applied and officials trained;
• Sectoral mitigation and adaptation actions identified for priority sectors;
• Quick win projects implemented and bankable project prepared for mitigation and adaptation actions in priority sectors;
• Regulatory measures prepared in priority mitigation and adaptation sectors; knowledge and best practices on integrating climate measures in urban planning are transferred to four Indian partner cities;
• And project experiences disseminated to Indian cities and cities in other countries.

Results from previous phases:  

In the opening phase, four partner cities were identified, working relations established and priority areas for cooperation on climate change adaptation and mitigation agreed.

Indian Ministry of Urban Development; Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change; State level authorities of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, West Bengal and Rajasthan; Municipal corporations and other city level authorities of Coimbatore, Rajkot, Siliguri and Udaipur; Indian National Institute for Urban Affairs (NIUA).

SDC: Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP), Low Carbon Cement Project (LCC), Sino-Swiss Low Carbon Cities (SSLCC), CC&E and DRR network. Initiatives of international actors such as UNIDO, UN Habitat, C40, Rockefeller Foundation, etc.

Phase 1 01.10.2014 - 31.12.2019   (Completed)