Project Brief
NIUA (National Institute of Urban Affairs) and GCoM (Global Covenant of Mayors) South Asia have partnered to support the Pune Municipal Corporation for the development of the Pune Climate Action Plan. Through this engagement, the project will work to support in implementing ambitious climate and energy commitments, focusing on ‘translating’ commitments into actions through the target and priority-setting process, based on Climate Action Plans. Over the past few months, a dedicated team at NIUA has been working on compiling a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory and conducting a thorough vulnerability assessment.
Journey So Far
We began the process of developing the Pune Climate Action Plan in May. Over the past few months, our dedicated team has been working on compiling a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory and conducting a thorough vulnerability assessment. We have conducted two stakeholder consultations, one in May and the other in September, with government officials, academia, civil society organizations, and educational institutions.
The culmination of this work was shared with key stakeholders, including the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Environment at Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Shri. Madhav Jagtap; Chief Engineer of the Water Supply Department at PMC, Sh. Aniruddha Pawaskar; Deputy Commissioner of the Solid Waste Management Department at PMC, Smt. Asha Raut; Head of the Information Technology Department at PMC, Sh. Rahul Jagtap; and Environmental Conservation Officer of the Environment Department at PMC, Sh. Mangesh Dighe. Additionally, the NIUA team engaged in constructive dialogues with numerous departments and received data and suggestions from vital organizations and departments like the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD); Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM); Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, India (C-DAC); Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL); Maha Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL); and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd. (PMPML). This has helped us in identifying various interventions that might help fortify our city against the challenges of climate change.
What is a City Climate Action Plan (CCAP)?
A climate action plan is like a blueprint for a city to tackle the issue of climate change and reduce its impact on the environment. It's a comprehensive strategy or roadmap developed by governments, organizations, communities, or individuals to address the challenges of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These plans are designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change and transition to a more sustainable and resilient future.
What is the relevance of the City Climate Action Plan?
Cities are centers of population and economic activity, and they are responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. As more people around the world move to cities, the emissions from urban areas continue to rise. Climate action plans for cities are crucial in addressing this emissions challenge and mitigating climate change. Climate change has direct and immediate impacts on cities, including more frequent and severe heat waves, flooding, sealevel rise, and other extreme weather events. Local governments are often the first responders to these challenges, making it imperative to have plans in place to protect residents and infrastructure. It can lead to more energy-efficient buildings, better public transportation, green spaces, and cleaner industries, creating a higher quality of life for residents. Creating climate action plans for Indian cities is essential for addressing climate change, improving local environmental conditions, fostering sustainable development, and ensuring the well-being of citizens. Climate action plans involve input from local communities, encouraging citizen participation and ownership of environmental issues. This engagement can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions.
Why does Pune need a Climate Action Plan?
Pune has experienced significant growth and development. However, this progress has come at a cost in terms of increased greenhouse gas emissions and environmental challenges. As per the PMC Environment Status report 2018 (ESR), the city's average per-capita emissions have increased by 12% from 2012 to 2017, a rise within 5 years. This rising trend of per-capita emissions in Pune is a cause for concern. It has also caused more pollution and environmental problems. These problems not only contribute to climate change but also pose risk to the city's residents in the form of extreme heat and changing rainfall patterns. The rising temperatures have led to an increased reliance on air conditioning systems and making living conditions uncomfortable in the natural environment. Additionally, the changing rainfall pattern and the city's topography make it vulnerable to flooding, waterlogging, and landslides. Heavy rainfall combined with excessive concretization prevents water absorption that raises the potential for disasters in low-lying areas, along streams and rivers, and on hill slopes. To address these challenges and ensure a sustainable future, Pune needs to focus on clean energy infrastructure, efficient water management, and waste management. Implementing a comprehensive climate action plan is crucial for identifying and prioritizing actions to address environmental issues.
How will the Climate Action Plan benefit Pune city?
Climate Action Plan for Pune can have wide-ranging benefits, including environmental, economic, social, and health advantages. By addressing climate change and improving sustainability, Pune can become a more resilient, livable, and prosperous city for its residents. A Climate Action Plan for Pune can help the city with having a baseline of the emissions being produced in the city along with a diagnostic survey of the city’s existing infrastructure. By transitioning to cleaner energy sources, promoting energy efficiency, and implementing sustainable transportation options, Pune can contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change.
A climate action plan would help Pune access funding for sustainable initiatives, engage stakeholders, and track progress towards its goals. It would further provide a roadmap for implementing water conservation measures, and improving waste management practices. By taking these steps, Pune can preserve its natural environment, mitigate climate change, and ensure a better quality of life for its residents.
Who will prepare the Climate Action Plan?
The Climate Action Plan is prepared for a city. Therefore, Pune Climate Action Plan is also a cityled initiative that will be prepared by the Pune Municipal Corporation where NIUA (National Institute of Urban Affairs) and GCoM (Global Covenant of Mayors) South Asia have partnered to facilitate and support the development of the same. Through this engagement, the project will work with Pune Municipal Corporation to support in implementing ambitious climate and energy commitments, focusing on ‘translating’ commitments into actions through the target and prioritysetting process, based on Climate Action Plans.
Who will implement the Climate Action Plan?
The final draft of the Climate Action Plan developed by the NIUA will be submitted to the Pune Municipal Corporation and the concerned city officials. The Pune Municipal Corporation will launch the same, based on which the city officials will be able to use the same going forward for various planning and development applications for the cities.
Role of Citizens
Citizen’s participation is crucial for developing a Climate Action Plan that is effective, inclusive, and sustainable. It strengthens community resilience, fosters ownership, and ensures that the plan reflects the unique needs and aspirations of Pune's residents, ultimately leading to a more climate-resilient and sustainable city.
As Citizen of Pune city, you can play a crucial role in developing the city's Climate Action Plan. Participate and share your ideas, concerns, and suggestions for the Climate Action Plan by filling the google form. Your opinions matter and can help shape the plan. Attend meetings and workshops organized by the Pune Municipal Corporation to provide your inputs for the development of Pune’s Climate Action Plan. Additionally, raise awareness about climate issues within your community and encourage others to participate in the survey by filling google form. Every small action counts towards building a more sustainable and climate-resilient city.