On the 150th birth anniversary of Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Ahmedabad hosted the National Urban Conclave and Mayoral Summit 2025 on 15-16 October 2025. It brought together more than 80 Mayors, Commissioners, and city representatives from over 35 cities across India. The event celebrated Sardar Patel’s legacy of visionary civic governance, fostering dialogue on innovation, sustainability, and the climate future of Indian cities.

Emani Kumar, Deputy Secretary General ICLEI and Executive Director ICLEI South Asia, delivered a session on “Implementation of Net-Zero Climate Action Plans: The Example of Ahmedabad.” Speaking of practical pathways for cities to embed sustainability in urban planning, he shared examples of best practices for effective climate action planning methodology and implementation of climate projects by Indian cities, with support from ICLEI South Asia. These cities include Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Tiruchirappalli, Udaipur, Siliguri, Vijayawada, among others.

Discussions during the session encompassed the vulnerability of Indian cities due to increasing heatwaves, floods, extreme rainfall and resource stress. To tackle such climate risks, various climate adaptation and mitigation actions must be implemented by Indian cities, to safeguard communities and economies. In this regard, Mr. Kumar discussed ICLEI’s Net-Zero Climate Resilient City Action Planning Methodology in detail. Mayors, Commissioners and city officials noted the structured process covering city profile and urban system gap analysis, climate risk and vulnerability assessments, GPC-compliant GHG emissions inventories, identifying climate goals, strategies, and climate actions.

“Speaking of Ahmedabad as a leading example, Mr. Kumar highlighted how the city is aligning its Net-Zero Climate Resilient City Action Plan (Net-zero CRCAP) with India’s 2070 commitment. Furthering its efforts, ICLEI South Asia has supported the city of Ahmedabad in preparing the Net-zero CRCAP, establishing and operationalising a Net-Zero, Environment and Climate Resilient Cell and preparing India’s first Climate and Sustainability Budget which is integral part of Municipal Budget Book for FY 2025-26.”

Best practices examples from Ahmedabad, linking significant city investments to climate actions, strengthening collaboration for clean air, green mobility, urban greening policy measures, and sustainable growth were also explained 

Cities can also leverage CSR funding, green bonds, and other innovative financial mechanisms to scale climate solutions and finance climate actions. The city has already generated green bonds to implement sustainability projects. 

Ahmedabad is also utilising CSR funds for implementing some of its climate actions and is developing AMC’s own CSR portal. The city has initiated a first-of-its-kind initiative — auctioning unused Floor Space Index (FSI) reserved in town planning schemes, which will be converted into Green Transferable Development Rights (TDR). Funds raised from the selling of these Green Transferable Development Rights will be utilised for the implementation of climate and sustainability projects. ICLEI South Asia supported AMC in preparing the concept for the CSR portal and identifying the list of climate projects that may be implemented through the sale of Green FSI.

Additionally, ICLEI South Asia has implemented and supported several climate and sustainability initiatives in various Indian cities, including India’s first solar-powered on-route charging station for public electric buses in Ahmedabad; Miyawaki-based urban forests in Vadodara, Siliguri, and Udaipur; the use of renewable energy for a water treatment plant in Rajkot; lake restoration in Tiruchirappalli; a flood early warning system in Tirunelveli; and initiatives to improve air quality in Ahmedabad, Delhi NCR, and across the region and country.

As South Asian cities drive local climate action and sustainable urban development, ICLEI South Asia continues to support cities in shaping the region’s sustainability agenda. Cities are increasingly taking proactive steps to mainstream climate considerations into urban governance by developing Net-Zero Climate Action Plans, mobilising green finance, expanding green infrastructure, and embedding sustainability into city budgets and planning frameworks

These efforts reflect South Asia’s growing commitment to resilient, low-carbon urban growth. ICLEI South Asia remains steadfast in its support—offering technical expertise, capacity building, and strategic guidance to strengthen implementation and scale impact.