Mumbai becomes first city to introduce climate budget in India

MUMBAI, Maharashtra: On the occasion of World Environment Day 2024, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has become the first municipal corporation in India to introduce the climate budget for 2024-25. Mumbai has been the fourth city in the world to do so following, Oslo, New York, and London. BMC has allocated ₹10,224.24 crores for climate-relevant initiatives, about 32.18 per cent of the city capital expenditure budget 2024-25.

Ashwini Joshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner, introduced the budget document in the BMC headquarters. In this document, the civic body has earmarked ₹10,224.24 crores for climate-related works in the city. The amount is about 32.18 per cent of the ₹31,774 crore capital expenditure proposed in the budget.

Of the allocated amount, ₹2163.8 crore have been given to the projects introduced in line with the objectives of the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP). The plan was introduced back in 2022 and serves as a framework for the city to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It further mandates inculcating climate adaptation efforts to effectively mitigate the risk induced by climate change. As part of the MCAP strategy, the city aims to curb its emissions to Mumbai a net zero emission city. The roadmap set by MCAP says that the city will reduce its GHG emissions by 27 per cent by 2030. By 2070, the city will have reduced them by 72 per cent.

To achieve these ambitious goals, various projects, such as LED lighting, the creation of sewage treatment plants, and solar rooftop installation, will implemented. The introduction of electric vehicles is also on the agenda to achieve net zero emission goals. The city aims to have 100 per cent zero-emission vehicles by 2050.

However, the biggest share of the budget 2024-25 has been set aside for projects for urban flood and water resource management. The allocated amount stands at ₹9,707.97 crores, approximately 32 per cent of the total climate budget. The sectors, on which the allocated amount will be spent, include sewage projects, rainwater channels, Mumbai sewerage projects, sewage operations, sanitation-related initiatives, water supply, and solid waste management.

To do away with the climate woes of the city, the BMC also aims to work on the governance structure. The primary motive to do that is to ensure that the governance machinery not only supports but also priorities the eco-friendly projects undertaken by the various departments of the city.

Slashing the landfill garbage by 50 per cent is also on the list of goals to be achieved by 2050. In line with this, a key waste-to-energy project is planned for the Deonar dumping ground. The waste-to-energy plant can utilise 600 tonnes of waste per day to generate nearly 8 MW of electricity.

Around ₹262.16 crores have been allocated to the sustainable water management sector in the climate budget. Similarly, ₹177.84 crores have been earmarked for the maintenance and creation of green cover and biodiversity in the city, while ₹35.38 crores have been set aside for air quality management.

The climate document has been prepared by the city as it is part of the climate budget programme, that is being run by C40. The programme, began back in 2021.