Pune sees a 34% drop in its ability to absorb carbon because of rapid urban growth

Mumbai: In what is a cause of concern for the cultural capital of Maharashtra, the city of Pune has experienced a 34 per cent decline in its carbon sequestration capacity, primarily due to rapid urbanisation.

Other growing Indian cities may be having a similar experience.

Between 2013 and 2022, Pune’s built-up areas expanded by 12 per cent, leading to a substantial loss of green cover. This urban growth has not only reduced the city’s carbon absorption ability but also weakened its flood mitigation potential by 13 per cent. The decline is largely attributed to the disruption of natural drainage systems and unregulated construction along riversides and floodplains.

This, combined with continued landscape alterations, is likely to increase the city’s vulnerability to floods, a growing concern given Pune's increasingly erratic monsoon patterns.

This significant reduction in the city’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) a major greenhouse gas was revealed in a recent study conducted by Dr Pankaj Koparde of MIT-World Peace University (MIT-WPU), in collaboration with Pratiksha Chalke of Sustaina Greens LLP.

The research, titled ‘Losing the Carbon Game? Changing Face of a Tropical Smart Metro City and its Repercussions on Carbon Sequestration, Heat and Flood Mitigation Capacity’ was published in the journal 'Sustainable Futures'.

The study underscores the importance of preserving Pune’s native landscapes, its hills, rivers, and wetlands which have traditionally served as natural buffers against carbon emissions, heat, and flooding.

“Our results underline the irreplaceable role of native geological and ecological features such as urban hills and wetlands in maintaining urban environmental health. As tropical metro cities like Pune expand, sustainable development can only be achieved by leveraging these native assets rather than undermining them,” said Dr Koparde.

“We strongly advocate for urgent policy interventions including the protection and restoration of urban hills, wetlands, and riverside green buffers. Tools like ecosystem service valuation models and integrated urban planning frameworks must be adopted to ensure that future growth is ecologically balanced and informed by data,” the researcher added.

This research arrives at a critical moment, as cities across India and the Global South face mounting challenges related to climate change and urban expansion. With rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and more frequent extreme weather events, Pune’s experience offers a valuable case study for other rapidly developing urban centers striving to balance growth with environmental sustainability.

“The findings on Pune’s shrinking carbon absorption capacity are not just alarming—they are a wake-up call for all rapidly urbanising cities in India. As educators and thought leaders, we believe that science must guide policy, and sustainability must be central to all development. It is imperative that urban planning prioritises ecological preservation alongside progress,” said Dr R M Chitnis, the Vice Chancellor of MIT-World Peace University.