Implementing climate action in Bengaluru

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The recently concluded COP-27 made a breakthrough on assessment of loss and damage to the environment; however the absence of significant new steps to curb emissions has disappointed many. Localised city-level climate action is still an evolving area of practice.

Cities of the global south, including Bengaluru, are finding themselves in a tight spot in the climate-change conundrum as they strive to balance growth and quality of life aspirations with net zero emission commitments and the urgency to strengthen the city’s resilience against climate changeinduced risks. Bengaluru is currently in the process of drafting its first ever Climate Action and Resilience Plan.

In addition, several policy and planning initiatives are also being undertaken such as the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Policy, Revised Master Plan (RMP) and Clean Air Action Plan which can become important instruments for achieving Bengaluru’s climate goals.

It is thus imperative for the city to find answers to critical questions on implementation such as financing models and governance mechanisms and to ensure the delivery of the climate action plan as a coordinated, timebound effort that takes into account the voices of all stakeholders.

Bengaluru International Centre (BIC) has once again, taken the initiative to hold an important discussion on the subject by hosting a talk show on January 16 evening at its city office. Rogier van den Berg, global director, WRI Ross Centre for Sustainable Cities, will share his insights from COP27 and discuss emerging global best practices on financing and institutional mechanisms for implementing climate actions in cities.

Post the presentation, Rogier will engage in a conversation with V Ravichandar, urbanist and chairman, Feedback Consulting. This will be followed by an interactive Q&A session with the audience.