What is the Bengaluru Climate Action and Resilience Plan? Should I care?
Bengaluru became the third city in India to launch a Climate Action Plan titled “Bengaluru Climate Action and Resilience Plan” in November 2023. But what does the plan talk about and how does it affect you?
About Bengaluru Climate Action and Resilience Plan
Like most other cities, Bengaluru faces many challenges because of climate change. A rise in greenhouse gases globally is leading to a sharp increase in temperature. On top of this, our increased use of cars, air conditioners, water and generating large amounts of waste adds to these climate related challenges.
The Bengaluru Climate Action and Resilience Plan (BCARP) aims to solve these challenges. It does this by bringing together various departments in the government that are responsible for different aspects of our lives in the city. *It also brings together NGOs that work on these issues.
The BCARP identifies goals that we have to work towards if we want to build a strong city. It then recognises steps that we can take to reach that goal in different intervals of time.*
The different areas discussed in the plan include:
- Energy
- Transportation
- Solid waste
- Air quality
- Water and wastewater
- Urban planning
- Disaster management
The summary report of BCARP can be found here.
What are Greenhouse gases? Are they bad?
GHGs such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are produced naturally in the environment but are on the rise because of deforestation and burning fossil fuels. These human-driven activities are leading to a faster rise in land temperature. This is a huge reason why we have warmer winters, irregular rains and hotter summers among others. These changes affect all of us differently. Those with fewer resources to survive are bound to suffer more.
Can I get an example of a solution or strategy that affects me?
Three goals that the BCARP highlights for solid waste management are:
- To achieve full segregation of waste by 2025
- To divert more than 90% of waste from landfills by 2050
- To recycle 90% of paper and plastic waste by 2050
To achieve these, it highlights how we must take the following steps:
- Segregate waste at the source where it is generated (like houses or offices)
- Increase our ability to find paper and plastic waste that can be recycled
- Design and run better landfills
This directly affects you as it could improve the quality of your life in Bengaluru. Imagine a city with no waste lying around everywhere!
What has BCARP done since its launch?
BCARP has led to the following developments:
- Launch of a “Climate Action Cell” - the Cell is tasked with ensuring projects are undertaken in the city. This includes collaborating with resident welfare associations, local businesses, NGOs and universities. The Cell will also ensure the city is on track to achieve outcomes that are highlighted in the BCARP.
- #BluGreenUru initiative - various campaigns have begun since the launch to recognise and improve “Blue” initiatives related to water bodies such as lakes, rivers, streams and drainages and “Green” initiatives related to forests, parks, gardens and green-roofs. The campaigns bring together different stakeholders to improve collective ownership of civic problems - afterall, climate change affects us all!
- Mitra Applications - Harisu Mitra and Kere Mitra initiatives were launched to improve monitoring of parks and lakes respectively. Dashboards are available here to track the initiatives.
What can you do?
Here are the various ways in which you could participate:
- Register as a ‘friend’ of the Climate Action Cell through your school or university. By doing this, you will be updated about every event that the CAC organises and can participate in it.
- Participate in an existing campaign (such as the Harisu Mitra) or start a new one with CAC by writing to specialcommissionerfeccbbmp@gmail.com or reaching out to their social media page on [Twitter/X] Link - x.com
Read and share the various reports that the CAC produces that can be found here.
