Representative image indicating climate resilience
Credit: iStock Photo
Mumbai: The hustling-bustling town of Mira Road, located in the Thane district in suburbs of Mumbai, is set to emerge as a climate-resilient city by 2047.
The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) and Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) jointly launched a Climate Action Plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2047.
The plan targets a 36 per cent reduction in emissions through the adoption of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient measures for buildings, and improved waste management practices.
This will be complemented by a planned 23 per cent reduction by the Central Electricity Authority for India and 41 per cent carbon sinks through existing and expanding green cover, paving the way for a climate-resilient future.
The greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment highlighted that 62 per cent of emissions come from stationary energy, 22 per cent from transportation, and 16 per cent from the waste sector.
Mira Bhayandar, a key city in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and a satellite city to Greater Mumbai, has witnessed significant urban growth due to its comparatively lower cost of living.
Between 2005 and 2022, the city’s built-up area increased by 50.05 per cent, while vegetation cover declined to 13.6 per cent. This urban expansion has led to a 0.46°C rise in annual temperatures, alongside challenges such as urban flooding and pressure on essential services like waste management, transportation, and water supply.
Recognising the urgency of these challenges in a city that serves as a growth hub for Mumbai, the Mira Bhayandar Climate Action Plan (MBCAP) was unveiled on January 29, 2025. The plan aligns with Maharashtra’s net-zero targets and the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
Supporting the Viksit Mira-Bhayandar @2047 vision, the MBCAP outlines actionable strategies and recommendations to mitigate emissions and build resilience.
CEGP Foundation served as the knowledge partner for this conclave, supporting the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation in crafting and implementing this initiative.
The event featured a keynote address by Praveen Pardeshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) while Bipin Srimali, Managing Director of Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Ltd (MAHAPREIT), presented insights on greening cities for decarbonisation.
The workshop convened a distinguished group of CSR leaders, think tanks, and climate experts, including representatives from the Maharashtra State Climate Action Cell, C40 Cities, and the United Nations Human Settlements Program.
Residential electricity use is a significant contributor, responsible for 40.5 per cent of emissions. AKAH has implemented energy-efficient measures, achieving over a 60 per cent reduction in emissions. The pilot at Nav Yuvan Housing Society in Mira Bhayandar serves as a scalable model to reduce emissions in the building sector through rooftop Solar PV Systems, BLDC fans, LED lighting, and water conservation fixtures. This project is in the final stages of obtaining IFC EDGE Advanced Certification, marking it as the first existing housing society globally to achieve this recognition. Further, AKAH is retrofitting three schools in Mira Bhayandar that target a minimum 20 per cent improvement in energy and water efficiency