As the world observes Earth Day on April 22, the imperative for sustainable urban development has never been more pressing. Urban areas contribute approximately 70% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (UN-Habitat Report, 2023). In India, the urban population is projected to reach 800 million by 2050 (UN World Cities Report, 2022), necessitating an infrastructure expansion comparable to constructing a city the size of Chicago yearly (NITI Aayog, 2021). While urban centres account for 80% of the country’s economic activity, they are also susceptible to severe climate-induced economic losses, with estimates suggesting a potential 4.5% reduction in GDP by 2030 (RBI, 2023). Moreover, climate change threatens to push 77 million urban residents into poverty due to extreme weather events (World Bank, 2023).

India’s initiatives
To address these challenges, India has introduced a range of urban development initiatives, including the Smart Cities Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). These initiatives have yielded significant progress, notably in constructing eight million affordable housing units (PMAY-U, 2023). However, structural limitations persist, as 70–90% of municipal budgets depend on central or state funding (RBI, 2023). Currently, merely 10% of India’s buildings are green-certified, despite buildings accounting for 32% of total electricity consumption and 40% of GHG emissions (IEA, 2021).

In response to these sustainability deficits, India has implemented the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF) and established Integrated Control and Command Centers (ICCCs) in over 100 cities to facilitate data-driven governance. However, the effectiveness of these measures is often hindered by challenges related to policy implementation and financial constraints.

The case of Delhi
A particularly illustrative case of urban climate vulnerability is Delhi, India’s capital, which faces severe air pollution, water scarcity, waste management issues and flood risks. Climate-related economic losses in Delhi are projected to reach Rs 2.75 trillion by 2050 (Economic Times, 2023). The city’s air pollution levels exceed WHO safety limits by a factor of 100, reducing average life expectancy by up to five years. Furthermore, Delhi struggles with 28 million tonnes of accumulated waste, while 90% of its drinking water supply is sourced from neighbouring states, underscoring a severe water crisis. Climate projections indicate temperature increases of 0.6°C during the 2020s, 1.4°C by the 2050s, and 2.2°C by the 2080s, while encroachments on the Yamuna floodplains exacerbate flood risks, potentially affecting nearly half the city. Additionally, 40% of Delhi’s population resides in substandard housing, comprising 1,700 unauthorized colonies and 728 JJ clusters, where only 25% of residents have access to essential infrastructure.

On the occasion of Earth Day, India must prioritize overcoming the barriers to effective urban sustainability. A comparative analysis reveals that Copenhagen’s Climate Action Plan provides a clear financial roadmap, whereas Delhi’s climate policy lacks defined funding mechanisms and measurable targets. A SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) framework should be adopted to enhance implementation efficacy. Key reforms must strengthen local governance, expand urban green spaces, and decentralise waste management systems. Moreover, water conservation and the restoration of the Yamuna River should be prioritized through stringent groundwater regulations and the widespread adoption of rainwater harvesting practices.

Furthermore, integrating real-time climate resilience indicators into urban planning is imperative. While air pollution tracking systems have been deployed in Delhi, real-time climate risk assessments remain absent, impeding proactive decision-making. Public participation must also be encouraged, as resource overconsumption, exacerbated by subsidies on electricity and water, continues to strain environmental sustainability efforts. Urban centres will confront escalating ecological degradation, infrastructure failures, and economic setbacks without decisive action. On Earth Day, the imperative to build resilient, sustainable cities is clear. It's not a choice; but a necessity for planetary and urban survival.

Maradiya is a Fellow at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, Mumbai.