Delhi participates in UN-backed campaign to increase climate resilience

Delhi has pledged to achieve a 25 percent green cover within the next five years as part of the "Race to Resilience," a UN-backed initiative to catalyze a step-change in the global ambition for climate resilience. In order to increase climate resilience and promote sustainable development, Delhi has made a number of promises as part of its participation in the "Race to Resilience," which was unveiled during a ceremony at Climate Week NYC. The circular economy, which repurposes trash and reduces it, and decentralized renewable energy sources, which provide access to clean and sustainable energy, are two examples of these investments. 

As part of the campaign, the Delhi government has also committed to increasing the green space and tree planting, aiming to achieve a 25 percent green cover in the next five years. Delhi's green cover currently stands at 23.06 percent. The government said initiatives, such as the Delhi City of Lakes project, will rejuvenate water bodies, improve water quality and reduce flooding. Delhi is one of the hottest cities in India and ranks among the most susceptible to heat waves due to its large population and a significant concentration of lower-income groups. Extreme heat is hurting local productivity, putting vulnerable populations at risk and contributing to the rapidly rising energy demand. Heat waves are becoming more intense and frequent due to climate change.

Delhi's draft action plan on climate change says the city is projected to suffer losses of Rs 2.75 lakh crore by 2050 due to the impacts of climate change, with changes in precipitation and temperature patterns posing significant threats to the most vulnerable populations. "Our government is committed to implementing sustainable cooling and heat resilience strategies. I firmly believe that the Delhi Heat Action Plan (HAP) will prioritize the marginalized communities, particularly those living in substandard homes that serve as heat traps," a UN statement quoted Reena Gupta, advisor to the city government, as saying. Delhi has also set its eyes on becoming a national and global leader in rooftop solar generation through the new Delhi Solar Policy. The overarching objective is to increase the installed capacity of rooftop solar plants to meet 10 percent of Delhi's annual energy demand, a transformation that is anticipated to create 40,000 new green jobs in this sector.