Urban missions are important components of climate change: Puri

NEW DELHI: Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, said on Monday, October 11, that urban missions like Smart Cities, Swachh Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and others constitute as important components of India’s response to climate change. These missions have contributed heavily to the reduction of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions, he added.

While addressing an event which mark the UN Habitat Day 2021 on the theme of ‘Accelerating Urban Action for a Carbon-free World’, Puri said that sustainable and energy efficient methods to build houses under PMAY can save energy between 20%-30% and water savings up to 30%-50%.

Puri also said that more than 16 lakh houses under PMAY are utilising green technologies which will help in reduction of 12 million tonnes of carbon-di-oxide emissions by 2022 under PMAY. He added that it is important to promote new and innovative low-carbon technologies which ensure housing, service delivery and better mobility for all. 

Puri added that India recognises the importance of its cities in the country as urban areas of India are expected to contribute almost 70% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030. He added that there is no doubt that planning for low-carbon cities will also help the country in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11 and 13.