South Asian Cities Advance Climate Action and Finance in Kathmandu: GCoM SA

KATHMANDU: All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG), Networking and Governance Coordinator of GCoM South Asia, organised the Global Covenant of Mayors South Asia Regional Workshop Advancing Climate Action and Enabling Access to Climate Finance at The Soaltee, Kathmandu, Nepal, from December 5-7, 2023.

The primary objective of this three-day workshop was to provide signatory GCoM cities with hands-on training to use essential tools and insights to access climate finance opportunities effectively and connect them with EU businesses providing technical solutions. The event witnessed robust participation, drawing Mayors and city representatives from 25 Asian cities, along with business representatives from European countries.

After the felicitation of the dignitaries and lighting of the lamp, Thomasz Gawlik, International Climate Finance, European Commission gave the opening address wherein he emphasised the importance of implementation at the local level for any true transformation to happen in real time. Pier Roberto Remitti, Co-managing Director of GCoM Global, provided valuable insights into GCoM’s extensive work in South Asia and worldwide. GCoM, operating in 146 countries, has garnered commitments from 1073 cities globally for enhanced ambition programmes. He spoke about the benefits of joining the GCoM Network which are tangible and intangible like knowledge sharing and also leveraging partnerships to streamline climate finance. Eline Houwer, European Delegation to India was also present at the event.

Shri Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, graced the inaugural session. His endorsement of GCoM South Asia for Nepalese cities underscored the initiative’s potential in empowering cities to combat climate change. He said, “I am delighted to announce my endorsement of GCoM South Asia for Nepalese cities. This regional initiative holds immense potential to empower our cities in the fight against climate change.” Ashok Kumar Byanju, Mayor of Dhulikhel in Nepal spoke about the importance of the support of global community in making cities climate resilient.

Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Nepal talked about the contribution of European Union in terms of climate finance. EU has already pledged 120 billion euros to the climate mitigation fund. Ravi Ranjan Guru, Deputy Director General, AIILSG spoke about the role of AIILSG in GCoM South Asia and the work it does in India. He also presented the badges to Indian cities for their continued commitment to climate action. He said, “The badges are intended to reward achievement and progression within the different phases of participation of a city in the GCoM initiative – from commencement to planning to implementation and monitoring.” Rajkot, Surat, Shimla, Kochi, Udaipur, Thimphu (Bhutan) and Narayanganj (Bangladesh) were the cities that received GCoM bankable cities badges.

The workshop also focused on city presentations, where various cities shared their climate change challenges and corresponding action plans. As many as 11 EU business representatives presented the technological solutions available with them. Session 1 was about ‘Decarbonising Cities: Strategies for Mitigating Impacts of Climate Change.’ It was moderated by Anshul Abbasi, NIUA. Benny Iskandar, Medan, Indonesia spoke about the reduction of emissions through implementation of bus rapid transit system. Elsa Risfadona from Pontianak, Indonesia talked about how her city has relaced street lights in the city with LED lights that are more energy-efficient, thereby reducing carbon emissions. Sharad Kaklotar from Surat in India reported on the city’s many firsts in terms of implementing renewable energy projects.

Session 2 was themed around ‘Building Resilient Cities: Adaptation Strategies for a Changing Climate’ and was dedicated to peer-to-peer learning between GCoM signatories from East, Southeast and South Asia. Stanzin Rabgais from Leh elaborated on the many projects being implemented in the city which faces certain specific challenges because of its topographical features. One of them is Flood Vulnerability Study being funded by the EU. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia being a coastal city has its own set of challenges as mentioned by Abdul Manaf Rajikan. [Toyota, Japan] The session was moderated by Asih Budiati, GCoM Asia.

Session 3 focussed on ‘Facilitating Local Governments in South Asia to Access Climate Finance’ which has two critical aspects. One is capacity building and the other is empowerment of signatory cities on writing effective funding proposals. The session was moderated by Rahul Singh, ICLEI South Asia. Pashim Tiwari, AIILSG in India talked about localising climate finance in India. Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a method of accessing finance for cities is becoming a viable option. For instance, there are a gamut of financial initiatives made available by the government to deliver the 17 SDG Goals. If the city can have a holistic framework around them, then a good project can be proposed around them. Jazlyn Lee introduced the City Climate GAP Fund. She outlined the criteria for the proposal specifications within the City Climate Gap Fund.

A key highlight of the event was the Business Matchmaking sessions. European business representatives, armed with innovative climate solutions, engaged with cities to explore collaborations where their expertise could make impact on ground. These sessions were aimed at empowering cities from South and Southeast Asia to efficiently develop and implement sustainable climate solutions. Oscar Prat, Senior Expert in Business Matchmaking, introduced the concept and emphasised its significance in the current scenario followed by the presentations of businesses that were clubbed into five thematic groups. The three-day workshop concluded with productive one-on-one meetings between businesses and cities.

I am delighted to announce my endorsement of GCoM South Asia for Nepalese cities. This regional initiative holds immense potential to empower our cities in the fight against climate change.

Shri Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal