Exploring Utility of Google Environment Insight Explorer for Urban Local Bodies in India

Overall Objective:

Assess the capabilities of Google- Environment Insights Explorer (EIE) for climate action planning of Indian cities considering Google’s activity data for the transport sector and Green House Gas (GHG) emissions estimated for identified Indian cities.

Specific Objectives:

1. Undertake a detailed comparative analysis of GHG emissions estimated by EIE with existing inventories of Indian cities prepared by ICLEI-SA.
2. Prepare a pilot study report on how Indian cities can adopt Google EIE for climate action planning which will include a synthesis of outcomes & data findings of a pilot study. Provide recommendations on datasets, estimation methods, etc. to enhance EIE’s suitability for Indian cities.
3. Prepare advisory on policy recommendations to prepare emissions inventory using Google EIE and its application in urban planning, highlighting the usefulness of the database to track and analyse the trends and gauge the impact of implemented climate actions, and identifying the linkages with city bye-laws, action plans, national-level sustainability policies and programs.
4. Engage selected cities to introduce Google EIE and its utility by presenting a pilot study and appraise local governments to adopt the EIE database along with existing inventories for climate action planning.