Introduction

South Asia’s rapid urbanization has resulted in a surge in the need for energy, especially in urban areas where population expansion parallels the growing energy usage across sectors like buildings, transportation, infrastructure, and industry. This surge necessitates a shift toward sustainable, low-to-no carbon energy solutions. Enhancing renewable energy use and promoting energy efficiency are critical for cities in the region to align with national and global climate goals, addressing both energy security and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

About the Platform

The U.S. – South Asia Mayoral Platform on Sustainable Cities was established to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange between cities in the U.S. and South Asia, facilitating their transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems. Launched as part of the South Asia Clean Energy Forum (SACEF), USAID/India’s flagship clean energy initiative, this platform operates under the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) program, a five-year initiative (2021-26), aiming to improve access to affordable, secure, and sustainable energy across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Driven by USAID India, ICLEI South Asia, and ICLEI USA, the platform brings together mayors and city decision-makers from across the two regions. Its focus is on exchange knowledge, ideas, and solutions aimed at improving energy efficiency, and adopting advanced energy technologies. This platform serves as a powerful tool for South Asian cities to learn from successful U.S. models, promoting cleaner energy transitions and building a more sustainable and resilient urban future.

 

Objective

The platform aims to facilitate sustainable energy transitions in cities, enabling them to contribute to both local and global climate resilience goals.

Platform Activities

1. Virtual Consultations & Meetings and In-person Missions to South Asian cities
2. Annual Events, Workshops and Site Visits focused on clean energy and sustainability
3. Peer-to-Peer Knowledge Exchange, including tours and webinars
4. Sustainable Energy Transition (SET) Knowledge Bank, Platform Webpage & Online Resources

Expected Outcomes

1. Cooperation frameworks (e.g., MoUs): Facilitate partnerships between U.S. and South Asian cities to achieve shared sustainable energy goals.
2. Thematic support identification: Identify areas where South Asian cities require support—such as policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement strategies for sustainable energy transitions.
3. Annual events: Enable the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and assistance between participating cities.
4. Knowledge exchange tours to U.S. cities: Showcase successful implementation of clean energy solutions and best practices.
5. Knowledge materials: Develop and share resources like whitepapers, case studies, factsheets, and technical briefs on city-level clean energy transitions.
6. Participation in international forums: Promote the platform’s objectives, achievements, and collaboration opportunities globally.