U2O and Environment
Introduction:- India’s G20 presidency this year with theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -One Earth, One Family, One Future". First inception U20 meeting is part of G20 meeting 2023. U20 offers a platform for cities from G20 nations to highlight key urban concerns and policy recommendations during the annual G20 process. Based on the current estimates about 55% of the world's population residing in the urban areas and predicted to accommodate 68% by 2050.
Henceforth, it is crucial to addressing global developmental agendas and shaping a better future for all. However, they are also susceptible to global crises and interferences which must be needed to addressed. Cities must combat discrimination, include all citizens in decision-making, and provide an inclusive social safety in every aspect. They should have to work with nations to address structural inequalities, promote social cohesion, support vulnerable economic activities, improve access to food and energy, promote cultural life, protect under represented communities, and foster local public service provision.
U20 focused upon 6 major areas -
01. Encouraging Environmentally Responsible Behaviour
02. Ensuring Water security
03. Accelerating Climate Finance
04. Championing 'Local' Culture and Economy
05. Reinventing Framework for Urban Government
06. Catalysing Digital Urban Futures
01. Encouraging Environmentally Responsible Behaviour
60% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide are attributed to cities, illustrating the necessity of sustainable urban growth. International accords such as the COP and SDGs aim for equitable and resilient urban growth. Sustainability is an intrinsic feature of urban living, regardless of government regulations and technology improvements, because citizen conduct is critical to meaningful change. The LiFE Mission advocates for worldwide environmental action that supports urban farming, low-carbon transportation, water conservation, and the circular economy. It highlights a "just transition" to low-carbon practises while taking into account the effects on traditional jobs.
| Points of Concern |
| Legal issues including imprecise sustainability policies, scarce funding, and stakeholder coordination. |
| Obstacles to renewable energy: market conditions, corporate influence, antiquated infrastructure, and inconsistent policy. |
| A lack of environmental consciousness and knowledge |
| Gaps in inclusiveness in promoting ERB, with hurdles for disadvantaged populations |
| Way Forward |
| Upskill the global informal workforce to ensure sustainable livelihoods. |
| Give local governments authority to carry out impactful, inclusive environmental projects. |
| To promote grassroots environmental change, encourage interactions between civil societies at all levels. |
| To promote economic growth and development, encourage businesses to implement sustainable practises. |
02. Ensuring Water Security
Water is an essential element for life and urban growth, and it is important in a variety of circumstances. A growing number of people—two billion—are anticipated to experience water stress as a result of population expansion and climate change. Water scarcity could force 700 million people to relocate by 2030. Additionally, research shows that between 2016 and 2050, the share of the world's urban population that lacks access to water is projected to rise from one-third to half. Water resource management must be given top priority immediately for the security of future generations, as water crises have continuously ranked among the world's worst risks since 2012.
| Points of Concern |
| Depletion of water resources as a result of mismanagement, overexploitation, and global warming. |
| Even with increased worldwide coverage, equal access to water is still an issue in urban areas. |
| In numerous countries, ineffective water supply systems result in disruptions and losses. |
| The global water supply is contaminated by untreated waste due to inadequate wastewater treatment. |
| Way Forward |
| Enhance security by giving priority to sustainable urban water management. |
| Invest in smart metering and other leak detecting technologies. |
| Establish efficient water management and hazard early warning systems. |
| Encourage the development of green-blue infrastructure, green financing and government initiatives for improved water services and better urban design to prevent flooding. |
03. Accelerating Climate Finance-
Cities play a critical role in combating climate change, but they require substantial financial assistance to lower emissions and address risks associated with climate change. Investment opportunities that are sustainable in the major urban economies or In emerging markets, the combined annual cost of waste, water, renewable energy, electric cars, public transportation, and green buildings might reach USD 25 trillion by 2030. But present climate money is just about USD 384 billion each year. Cities lack the capacity to access these funds, emphasising the importance of hastening their readiness to attract and successfully mobilise climate money.
| Points of Concern |
| In order to maximise return on investment, mitigation is preferred over adaptation and redesigning for climate resilience increases infrastructure costs by 1% to 2% overall. |
| Funds and credibility are lacking for cities and their ULBs to receive investments from private financial institutions on climate change. |
| To comprehend, select, and carry out investable climate projects, cities require increased technological and institutional capabilities. |
| Way Forward |
| Streamlining numerous tiers of climate money for cities frameworks including joint ventures with the corporate sector, green bonds, and carbon credits. |
| To increase their preparedness, cities should strive for scalable and repeatable frameworks. |
| More ways to support climate financing include creating a regulatory framework for climate finance and providing platforms for project conception, execution, and monitoring. |
04. Championing Local Culture and Economy
Long-term economic resilience can be improved by strengthening local economies, identities, and customs, particularly in times of pandemics and global downturns. The technique integrates traditional skills in crisis management, resource conservation, and sustainable building design. Promoting local growth, cultural and creative economies, and historic city fabric preservation are critical, as locally produced economical innovations can provide cost-effective solutions to urban needs.
| Points of Concern |
| The cultural and creative sectors are not sufficiently supported by economic policies. |
| Inadequate infrastructure and skill sets in the creative industries to support excellence and competition. |
| Heritage preservation and development are not integrated. |
| Way Forward |
| Adopt guidelines for decentralised governance and inclusive local development. |
| Encourage development-friendly norms and Involve various local stakeholders in the processes of planning and decision-making. |
| Create monetary incentives for regional businesses and infrastructure related to tourism and community involvement at policy framing. And knowledge exchange |
05. Reinventing Framework for Urban Government
Rapid urbanisation poses planning challenges due to complex spatial patterns. The significance of proper planning increases with 56% urban dwellers. Urban land consumption is expected to outpace population growth by 50% by 2030. Unprecedented urbanisation in developing nations calls for Innovative frameworks for planning a focus on liveability and demand for workable models that incorporate circular economy, sustainable mobility, and place-making and disaster preparedness.
| Points of Concern |
| Organic growth outpaces long-term frameworks, rendering rigid plans obsolete. |
| Inadequate regional planning causes cities to grow unplanned into the hinterlands. |
| Implementation of outcome assessment is hampered by the lack of data-driven planning. |
| The preference for greenfield development is due to the absence of frameworks for urban regeneration. |
| Way Forward |
| Create new frameworks to accommodate changing needs for maintenance and space, Use context-based tactics to create creative and quick urban solutions. |
| Encourage cooperation between public ownership and a range of stakeholders. . |
| For strategic city planning, choose regulations for development control that are flexible. |
| Use urban renewal and design to implement contextual sustainability solutions. |
06. Catalysing Digital Urban Futures
Urban life and governance are changing as a result of digital innovations, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advantages are not enough to overcome problems like unequal access, obstacles to data sharing, and little room for innovation. Although digital platforms provide evidence-based policymaking, transparency, and accountability, efforts to close access gaps are necessary to improve inclusive service delivery.
| Points of Concern |
| Urban areas impeded by inadequate digital infrastructure and a scarcity of qualified labour results Inadequate data quality wastes time and money for the city. |
| There are major obstacles due to gaps in digital literacy and technology access. Citizen participation in decision-making is stifled by interaction. |
| Urban innovation is hampered by high data generation costs and restricted public access. |
| Way Forward |
| It is recommended to allocate resources towards capacity development and security of digital infrastructure. |
| Use Internet of Things technologies for monitoring and evaluation. |
| Encourage standards, open data access, need to raise public awareness of ethical data management, which includes risk-based planning, safeguarding personal information and data use. |
References
- https://www.u20india.org/
- Summary of Recommendations G20-U20-Y20, School of Planning and Architecture and Institute of Town Planners, India, 2023.
- https://urbanupdate.in/2023-2/