About India

The Urban-LEDS project Phase I was implemented in India, where a total of eight cities participated. Two Model cities, Rajkot and Thane, as well as six Satellite cities received support to develop Low Emission Development Strategies, GHG emission inventories, climate commitments and implement a variety of low emission development solutions. Key achievements are outlined below. In Phase II of the Urban-LEDS project, participating cities will be supported in a review of the progress they have made towards low emission development, with a focus on developing project proposals and seeking funding to implement the action plans developed in Phase I. Where needed, data will be updated, including greenhouse gas inventories and climate change vulnerability risk assessments.

Two cities that participated in Urban-LEDS Phase I (Rakjot and Nagpur) are also participating in India’s innovative Smart Cities initiative, cited in the country NDC. Smart Cities enjoy increased access to resources earmarked for urban investments, including by establishing Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). Such provisions represent an opportunity for cities to finance some of their low emissions priorities.

The National Project Advisory Group (PAG) in India is composed of NIUA – National Institute of Urban Affairs, IGEP, GIZ – Indo-German Environment Partnership Programme, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, EU Delegation to India, MNRE – Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – India, UN-Habitat India, Schneider Electric India Private Limited, and the KFW Development Bank.

Contact us

ICLEI South Asia Secretariat
Head Office: New Delhi,
C-3, Lower Ground Floor
Green Park Extension,
New Delhi 110016, India
Tel: +91 11 4974 7200
Fax: +91 11 4974 7201

UN-HABITAT Information Office
5th Floor (East Wing),
Thalamuthu Natarajan Building
(CMDA Building), Egmore,
Chennai 600 008, India
Tel: + 9144 2841 1302
Fax: +91 44 2851 6273
E-mail: unchssp@md2.vsnl.net.in

Results from Phase I

The national project launch workshop was held in New Delhi in September 2013. As Urban-LEDS Phase I finished in 2015, Indian cities had achieved the following:

• Rajkot: In August 2016 the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) approved and adopted the Urban LED Strategy through a municipal council resolution. The same year, the local government also approved the city’s Low Emission Development Strategy Action Plan for 2015 to 2020. It includes structural and policy interventions with a focus on climate change mitigation as well as adaptation.
• Thane: The Low Emission Development Strategy document was officially submitted to the City Mayor and Commissioner for Council approval in April 2016. Meanwhile, implementation started on several priority Low Emission Development actions, and funding has been secured for further implementation of demonstration projects.
• Panaji: Municipal Corporation has ratified and adopted the Panaji Low Emission Development Strategy (2015/16 – 2019/20) in June 2016, focusing on the City’s priorities and sustainable initiatives.
• All eight Indian cities are reporting to the carbonn® Climate Registry (cCR). You can visit their profiles in the city profiles.
• All eight Indian cities have implemented a range of low-emission development solutions with the help of Urban-LEDS, including: streamlining sustainable development in the urban growth strategy of the city, installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels, and developing LED street lighting projects. To read more about these solutions, download the final Urban-LEDS report or visit the city pages.

Nagpur city is known as the Orange City due to its abundant cultivation of orange fruit, located at the geographical center of India. Nagpur is third in terms of population in the province of Maharashtra and is the 2nd capital of the state. Due to its geographical location and large infrastructure projects like metro rail and multi-modal international hub for logistics and transport, Nagpur is a rapidly growing city.

Nagpur, the name is derived from the Nag River which curves around the city. Nagpur is geographical centered in India with low land features. The city lies on the Deccan plateau of the Indian Peninsula and has a mean altitude of 310.5 meters above sea level. Nagpur is classified as a city with tropical wet and dry climatic conditions.

Greenhouse Gas emissions by sector

Thane city, located in Maharashtra state, is the second largest city in terms of population in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The city is the administrative headquarters of Thane District and is adjacent to the megacity of Mumbai, located directly to the southwest of Thane city. Thane city is transforming its image from an industrial city to service sector with rapid urbanization. Thane has a sought after city to live in due to its strategic geographical location, accessibility for adjoining cities, and service provision.

Thane city mainly has a coastal climate, situated on the Western Ghats of Deccan Plateau along the western coast. The climate in Thane is predominantly warm, sultry, and humid. Although temperatures are not very high in summer, the prevalent weather condition is uncomfortable due to high humidity. A creek also passes through the city.

Greenhouse Gas emissions by sector

Coimbatore is the second largest city in the western part of the State of Tamil, and popularly known as the Manchester of South India, due to its cotton and textile industry. The city is the  capital of Coimbatore district and is administered by the Coimbatore Municipal Corporation. Coimbatore has emerged as a resurging entrepreneurial city in the heart of South India. Spread on the Northern banks of River Noyyal, located to the west of Tamil Nadu and bordering the neighboring state of Kerala, Coimbatore acts as an entry and exit point for Udhgamandalam or Ooty, a world famous tourist destination. It is one of the fastest growing cities in India and is a major hub for textiles, industries, commerce, education, information technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. Coimbatore participated as a satellite city in Phase I of Urban-LEDS.

Coimbatore city, with an average elevation of 427 meters above mean sea level, is surrounded by the Western Ghats mountain range on the West and North. It is an area of low rainfall, being the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats. The city geographically falls in the Noyyal’s basin area and is transversed by River Noyyal, a tributary of the River Kaveri.

Greenhouse Gas emissions by sector

Gwalior is an important city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, well-known for its art and cultural and historical structures. Being situated at a distance of 319 kilometers to the south of India’s capital city of Delhi, Gwalior occupies a strategic location. Gwalior is one of the largest cities in central India and has been identified as a counter magnet city to the National Capital region. The city is well connected via rail, road, and air transport services. Gwalior participated as a satellite city in Phase I of Urban-LEDS.

Gwalior is located at 26.22°N 78.18°E in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh state. It has an average elevation of 197 meters. Gwalior has a subtropical climate, experiencing hot summers from late March to early July, a humid monsoon season from late June to early October, and a cool dry winter from early November to late February. The maximum temperature during summers can reach about 46°C and the minimum temperature in the winter can go as low as 5°C. Gwalior receives 970 mm of rainfall every year, most of which occurs in the monsoon months from late June to early October.

Greenhouse Gas emissions by sector

Panaji City, administered by the ‘Corporation of the City of Panaji’ (CCP), is the administrative and political capital of the state of Goa, located along the western coast of India. As one of the fastest growing cities in Goa, Panaji lies within the Konkan region, and is well connected to all parts of the country by road, rail, and air network. With Goa being a popular national and international tourist destination, the city acts as a major tourist hub of the state as well as trade and commerce center for the region. Panaji participated as a satellite city in Phase I of Urban-LEDS.

Panaji lies on the bank of the River Mandovi and is bounded by two creeks, sitting at an average elevation of seven meters above mean sea level. Panaji is the state capital and district headquarters of North Goa district with rich historical, political, commercial, educational, cultural and tourist significance. The unique location of the city by the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea enables it to have the services of inland waterways and a state port.

Greenhouse Gas emissions by sector

The city of Pimpri-Chinchwad is situated near the western part of the Deccan Plateau close to the Western Ghats. Pimpri -Chinchwad had been developed as a supporting township for the city of Pune, located at a distance of 15 km away, and forms a continuous urban stretch, adding to the overall Pune urban agglomeration. It is the fifth most populated city, and one of the most vibrant industrial and urban settlements in the state of Maharashtra. Pimpri-Chinchwad hosts a thriving industrial belt consisting of engineering, automobile, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. In recent years, the city has been going through a major transformation, with high growth in residential, retail, and commercial activities. The city participated as a satellite city in Phase I of Urban-LEDS.

The city comprises of the twin towns of Pimpri and Chinchwad situated on the Deccan Plateau and surrounded by hills. The city lies 560 m above sea level, on the banks of the rivers Mula, Pawana, and Indrayani. Pimpri Chinchwad is located to the south-east of Mumbai and in the north-west quadrant of Pune. The city lies along the National Highway, NH-4 leading to Mumbai and is well connected by road, rail, and air to almost all major cities in India. Pimpri-Chinchwad experiences three distinct seasons of summer, monsoon, and winter. The summer season extends typically over the months of March up to May with April being the warmest month with maximum temperatures ranging from 35°-39°C. The city receives moderate annual rainfall of 722 mm, mainly between June and September as a result of the Southwest monsoon. Winter lasts from November till February, with day temperatures around 29°C and night temperatures dipping below 10°C from December to January. The maximum relative humidity during the rainy season is 70-80%, and falls as low as 30% on summer afternoons.

Greenhouse Gas emissions by sector

Rajkot is the fourth largest city in the state of Gujarat, with a population of nearly 1.3 million as of 2011. It is ranked 22^nd in the list of global fastest growing cities and urban areas from 2006 to 2020.

The development of the city has been historically driven by industrial activity. With increasing industrial, trade, and commerce activity, there has been tremendous growth in the population of the city. Rajkot is the most populous city in the Saurashtra-Kutch region, with commercial activities spurted by conducive economic and industrial policy. Rajkot is a forerunner among cities in India preparing for a sustainable, low-carbon, and climate resilient future, acting as a model city in Phase I of the Urban-LEDS program.

Rajkot is located 245 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, at the center of the Saurashtra region in the central plains of Gujarat state. The city lies in the Western part of India at 138 m above mean sea level, and is located on the banks of the Aji River and Nyari River. The soil of the entire Rajkot area can be broadly classified as medium black to shallow black. The depth of the topsoil is generally 25 cm to 50 cm deep and this is underlain with soft rock and hard rock formations. The city is well connected to major Indian cities by rail, air and road.

Greenhouse Gas emissions by sector

Shimla is the capital city of the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. The city of Shimla is a major tourist desination spanning over several hills and connecting ridges, known as ‘Queen of Hills’ during the British Colonial rule. Shimla district is situated in the catchment area of the rivers Sutlej, Pabbar, and Giri. Shimla is covered by thick forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak. Shimla participated as a satellite city in Phase I of the Urban-LEDS.

Shimla is situated in the north-west part of the Himalayas. It is located at an altitude of 2,205 m in the lower Himalayan range with Jhakhoo hill as the most elevated spur of Shimla. It is identified as a High Damage Risk Zone (Zone IV) as per the Earthquake hazard zoning of India. Shimla has a sub-tropical highland type of climate. The temperature in peak winters (December-January) falls below 0°C. The weather in Shimla is predominantly cool during in winters and moderately cool in summers. The average temperature during winter is between -1°C and 10°C and between 19°C and 28°C in summer. The average total annual precipitation of the city is 1520 mm.

Greenhouse Gas emissions by sector