Ahmedabad needs Rs.4.4 lakh crore to turn net zero city by 2070

In the span of one year, from 2021 to 2022, the residents of Ahmedabad released a staggering 15.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, resulting in a per capita burden of 2.1 tonnes of CO2. To transform Ahmedabad into a net zero city and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, the city will need to allocate Rs 4.4 lakh crore over the next 47 years towards enhancing its infrastructure and systems.

These findings were outlined in a comprehensive report called the “Climate Resilient City Action Plan” (CRCAP), prepared for the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) with support from the CapaCITIES II project. The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) South Asia. Ahmedabad stands as one of the pioneering cities in India to develop such a comprehensive plan.

At present, Ahmedabad consumes a substantial amount of energy, equivalent to 98.5 million gigajoules (GJ) per year, primarily derived from coal burned in thermal power plants and the usage of fuels like diesel and petrol. To put this in perspective, this energy consumption is comparable to burning 9.8 trillion 10watt LED light bulbs for an hour. A net zero city refers to one that balances its greenhouse gas emissions through the utilization of renewable energy sources and the implementation of carbon reduction practices. Key strategies to achieve this goal include the electrification of buildings and transportation, increased energy efficiency, and an overall reduction in energy consumption.

The CRCAP encompasses six key sectors: energy supply and demand, transportation, solid waste management, water supply and sanitation, urban greening and biodiversity, and disaster risk reduction. For each sector, the plan establishes targets, indicators, actions, timelines, responsibilities, costs, and benefits necessary to attain net zero resilience by 2070. For instance, in the energy sector, Ahmedabad aims to reduce its total energy consumption by 30% and increase the share of renewable energy to 50% by 2030.

To achieve this, the city plans to implement energy efficiency measures in buildings, industries, and street lighting, encourage rooftop solar installations, and explore waste-to-energy projects. In the transportation sector, Ahmedabad aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and increase the share of public transport to 60% by 2030. This will entail expanding the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), introducing electric buses and vehicles, and enhancing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, as stated in the CRCAP report.