Urban India needs climate-conscious strategies

A recent study states that India has a huge opportunity to ensure urban infrastructure is built using climate-conscious strategies. Part of the Centre for Nature and Climate of the World Economic Forum WEF), the study says that low-carbon construction, passive design, green buildings and sustainable planning can all help to decarbonize urban India. Accelerating progress in climate-resilient urban infrastructure requires improved policy, collaboration and innovation.

The study highlights that India’s urban population is projected to grow from 377 million in 2011 to 590 million by 2030, driving an unprecedented demand for housing and infrastructure. The resulting construction boom has a multiplier effect in raising embodied as well and operational carbon. As urbanization accelerates, addressing both embodied and operational carbon can become instrumental in ensuring liveable, climate-resilient and energy-efficient cities.

A new World Bank report has noted that Indian cities hold tremendous potential as centres of economic growth with 70% of new jobs coming from cities by 2030. However, timely action is needed for cities to deal with impacts from extreme weather events and avert billions of dollars in future losses.

The report titled ‘Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India’, prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, states that more than 144 million new homes will be needed by 2070. Intense heat waves and urban heat island effects are already causing temperatures in city centres to rise by over 3-4 degrees over surrounding areas. The rapid growth of built-up areas is also reducing cities’ capacity to absorb storm water, making them more vulnerable to floods.

The World Bank report, which studied 24 Indian cities, with a special focus on Chennai, Indore, New Delhi, Lucknow, Surat and Thiruvananthapuram, finds that timely adaptation can avert billions of dollars of annual losses from future weather-related shocks. For example, annual pluvial flood-related losses can be averted and can amount to $5 billion by 2030, and $30 billion by 2070. Investments in adaptation will also save over 130,000 lives from extreme heat impacts by 2050. With over 50% of the urban infrastructure required for 2050 still to be built, India has a critical opportunity to drive resilient urban infrastructure development.

The WEF study points out that urban design and planning are major factors in reducing emissions and increasing resilience to climate extremes. Adding green infrastructure, improving urban layouts, and optimizing land use, can help in reducing rising temperatures and energy demands. For instance, green corridors – urban spaces with trees, parks and vertical gardens – can reduce local temperatures, improve air quality and biodiversity. Similarly, promoting accessible streets that encourage cycling and provide safety for pedestrians can lower reliance on private vehicles, and by extension reduce emissions.

The report adds that green building design principles, use of building orientation and passive architecture techniques, efficient use of sharing devices, special glass for windows and facades, use of high reflective roofing materials or covering the roof with terrace gardens are other effective ways to reduce urban temperatures and lower cooling energy demand, contributing to significant energy savings. Construction materials are a significant source of embodied carbon emissions. Transitioning to sustainable materials that are preferably locally sources and passive design strategies can drastically reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. Passive design strategies, which optimize natural ventilation, daylighting, and insulation, can significantly cut energy demand. Buildings sustain cities, says the report. Therefore, it is critical to reduce their emissions. Here, green buildings play a crucial role in increasing energy efficiency, water use optimization and minimising waste generation.

The WEF study stresses that consumers have a significant role to play in reducing operational carbon emissions. Raising awareness on energy and water consumption can drive behavioural changes that lower household carbon and water footprints. Public education campaigns, real-time energy monitoring apps, and incentives for energy-efficient appliances can encourage responsible consumption. By developing energy-efficient refrigerators, air conditioners, and lighting solutions, home appliance companies can also offer their consumers more sustainable choices. India’s mandatory star-rating system for appliances is a great example of how the promise of reduced electricity consumption can encourage the adoption of energy-efficient products. Aligning incentives, strengthening regulations, and fostering industry collaboration are all vital in creating sustainable and resilient urban centres.