Converging Growth and Sustainability

This piece of writing by Arun Awasthy well illustrates that technology and infrastructure alone cannot address climate challenges; people must be at the center of every solution, every partnership. Grassroots efforts have the power to transform vulnerabilities into strengths, building resilience while addressing local needs. These initiatives not only protect against climate impacts but also create livelihoods, turning environmental challenges into opportunities for economic empowerment.

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As India begins its journey into the second quarter of the 21st century, it faces a dual challenge: staying on course and sustaining its rapid economic growth and simultaneously addressing the escalating impacts of climate change. From erratic weather patterns disrupting agriculture to urban heat islands affecting millions, the climate crisis is no longer a distant phenomenon but an urgent reality shaping our present. For a nation with diverse climates, cultures, and an economy that is still developing, it becomes a dual challenge to not just develop a steadfast social economy but to also prioritize climate consciousness, imbibing it into the very structure of the nation's development as it moves forward.

As India aspires to transform into a $35-trillion economy by 2047, its urban centres will be the engines of this growth. While tier 1 cities have been the dominant voice in dictating India’s urban development so far, in the second quarter of the 21st century, smaller cities are expected to set pace, further bringing about a more spread out wave of development across the tiers. Additionally, according to projections, India’s urban population is expected to grow significantly from about 410 million in 2014 to around 630 million by 2030. This reflects a substantial increase in urbanization, with more than 50 per cent of India’s population anticipated to reside in cities by that year. With this in view, the urban expansion that India is set to witness will inevitably increase demands for housing, infrastructure, and services, amplifying vulnerabilities to climate risks.

Understanding the Role of Cities in Addressing India’s Climate Vulnerabilities