U.S.-Supported Campaign Helps 16 Indian Cities Check Carbon Emissions and Save Crores

NEW DELHI | September 20, 2005

A U.S.-India collaborative campaign “Cities for Climate Protection” (CCP) has helped 16 Indian cities drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions and save crores in municipal costs, it was announced today.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiative (ICLEI) today celebrated the success of this joint program at a national workshop in New Delhi. Mayors, city managers and state officials from all over India attended the workshop, organized by USAID, ICLEI and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).

The campaign has helped 16 cities in India, including Hyderabad and Kolkata, avoid actual carbon emissions of up to 13,000 tons equivalent carbon dioxide and save Rs. 3.7 crores by implementing energy efficiency measures in municipal services. Additionally, the program helped leverage an additional investment of $1 million (Rs. 4.37 crores) in energy efficiency initiatives from other donors.

Attendees at today’s workshop discussed lessons learned from the CCP program and the implementation of energy efficiency measures in Indian cities. Best practices on energy efficiency measures in street lighting, water and sewerage pumping systems, and traffic junction improvement were presented and discussed at the workshop.

Addressing the workshop participants, USAID Acting Mission Director Beth Hogan said: “Thinking globally and acting locally requires city governments to develop strategies for implementing energy efficiency measures at the municipal level that will have a positive impact on global climate change.”

The contribution of cities to global warming is becoming a matter of concern throughout the world. The “Cities for Climate Protection” campaign, covering 16 Indian cities in 13 states and a population of two crores, has contributed positively to the reduction of greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. With USAID support, ICLEI has developed software that cities can use to estimate levels of environmental pollution.

<< Back