Urban-Act: Integrated Urban Climate Action for Low-Carbon & Resilient Cities

July-September | 2024
Regional

Mitigation of Climate Change

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Project Updates

"India’s Enabling Framework for Subnational Climate Finance”: Report Launched under Urban Act Project (July 2024)

• Under the Urban Act Project, report titled “Assessing India’s Enabling Framework Conditions for Subnational Climate Finance” was launched in July 2024. This report presents findings from our pilot application in India of the CCFLA/Urban-Act National Assessment Tool, which evaluates countries’ national-level EFCs to mobilize subnational climate finance. The report further explores how policy reforms, advancements in subnational climate data, capacity-building, and innovative financial solutions can empower Indian cities become pioneers in climate action. This report was developed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA) with inputs from GIZ, NIUA and TERI.

Assessing India’s enabling framework conditions for subnational climate finance | ESCAP (unescap.org)

• Urban Act Project team members- Vibhor Sood and Ravikumar K participated in the stakeholder consultation on Uttar Pradesh ‘Urban Greening and Park Development Policy’ in August 2024 and provided the input related to policy environment, regulations and best practices in this domain. The consultations were organized by the Department of Urban Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The policy is an important initiative to enhance urban greening and beautify Uttar Pradesh’s cities and aims to use nature-based solutions, reduce air pollution, enhance urban cooling by reducing ambient temperature, encourage soil conservation, and enhance the ecological balance of urban areas. The consultation was chaired by Mr Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary, Urban Development & Urban Poverty Alleviation Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Coimbatore Hosts Ideation Workshop on Climate-Sensitive and Participatory Urban Planning

• Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – August 02, 2024: The Urban Act project in India, in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), organised an Ideation Workshop on Climate-Sensitive and Participatory Urban Planning. The event, held in Coimbatore, aimed to address the city’s pressing climate challenges through innovative and collaborative urban planning strategies.
• The workshop's outcomes were significant, providing a foundation for the development of a roadmap outlining the next steps. This roadmap will include potential pilot projects and further studies to implement the solutions identified during the workshop. The event also succeeded in strengthening partnerships among stakeholders, laying the groundwork for future urban planning initiatives that are both participatory and climate sensitive.
• Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Govt. of India has decided to extend the Smart Cities Mission up to 31 March 2025 without any additional cost subject to the condition that no additional liability/ new work beyond the already approved financial allocation under the Mission will be created and that all ongoing projects/ works will be completed before 31 March 2025. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2030491