earth hour city challenge-india

2016 finalistsCapturing sustainable actions of finalist Indian cities

IND

2016

Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) is a global challenge that aims to mobilise action and support from cities in the transition toward a climate friendly, one-planet future, and is designed to highlight and reward cities that are prepared to make substantial long-term efforts toward sustainability and resilience. The platform also aims at inspiring and supporting cities to become climate-smart and sustainable solution hotspots.

EHCC first began in 2011 in Sweden and then expanded globally in 2012. WWF closely works with ICLEI, which is the technical partner for the challenge.

Sustainable actions from the participating cities are reviewed by an international jury of experts. After the evaluation, the best city from each country is announced as the National Earth Hour Capital and one city amongst these is declared as the Global Earth Hour Capital.

Vancouver, Cape Town, Seoul were awarded the title of Global Earth Hour Capital in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. Paris was adjudged the Global Earth Hour Capital 2016.

India was the first developing country to join the challenge in 2012. Ever since its inception, the India Chapter of Earth Hour City Challenge has been mobilising action and support from Indian cities in the global transition toward a climate friendly future. WWF-India partners with ICLEI-South Asia for the India chapter of EHCC.

Over the years, 20 cities from across 12 states have been part of the city challenge in India. Delhi, Coimbatore and Thane have been the National Earth Hour Capitals previously.

In EHCC 2015-16, a total of 11 Indian cities participated.

Coimbatore, Pune & Rajkot were among the 45 other finalist cities from across 21 countries. Rajkot emerged as the National Earth Hour Capital 2016.

The three cities stood out for their impressive low carbon and sustainability plans and actions across sectors. While the initiatives by these cities are manifold, we try and give you an overview of some of the exemplary actions!

pune

rajkotbhopal

kochi

dehradun

gwaliorkota

panaji

shimla

surat

coimbatore

finalist cities 2015-16 ehcc citieswinner

ahmedabad

bhubaneswar

delhi

gandhinagar

hyderabad

jaipur

nagpur

nashikthane

N

Map not to scale.

Solar grid connected systems of 60kWp and 50kWp capacity installed at Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) offices.

Installation of solar PV systems at schools (10kWp each in two schools) and civic centers (25kWp). Additionally, 20 kWp grid interactive solar PV system installed in a municipal school.

Tax rebates provided for properties utilising solar water heating and building by-laws revised to include mandatory solar water heating.

200 solar lights installed in various parks and gardens.

Retrofitting of streetlights with 291 LED fittings, as well as 27 energy saver units.

Energy audits of water pumping systems.

SMART Society Scheme that works towards lowering GHG emissions in the residential sector through competition among housing societies for the best sustainable practices, and integrates community efforts for zero waste, adoption of renewable energy and water management.

Bus Rapid Transport System project initiated in 2009 for a total length of 63.5km – first phase operational.

Mandatory rooftop rainwater harvesting.

Installation of municipal solid waste (MSW) processing plant having capacity of 400MT per day.

Total ban on prohibited plastic.

Formation of debris squad and door to door collection.

Resolution passed by RMC for recycling and reuse of waste water in the city.

District Level Energy Park established to increase public awareness on clean energy applications.

Plans for initiation of training programs on green building guidelines and sustainable transport.

Online Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy resource centre established.

Rajkot, one of the four largest cities in the state of Gujarat, has fast emerged as a prominent industrial town in the Saurashtra region. It is the 7th cleanest city of India as per the ranking under the Clean India Mission Survey of Government of India and is also selected to be part of the national ‘Solar City Programme’.

enabling a strong focus on community engagement for low carbon growth

National Earth Hour Capital 2016RAJKOTENERGY

HOUSING & TRANSPORT

WASTEMANAGEMENT

COMMUNITYENGAGEMENT & AWARENESS BUILDING

Second largest city in the state of Maharashtra, Pune lists 2nd on the first 20 smart cities announced. It also ranks 11th in the results of Clean India Mission survey by Government of India, announced in 2015.

integrating green practices across sectors

PUNEAround 5,500 solar water heaters installed in municipality buildings such as hospitals, crematoriums, etc.

12kW solar PV system, consisting of 48 solar panels, each having capacity of 250W, installed in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) building.

Tax rebates for solar facilities.

Dedicated Energy Saving Cell to undertake necessary energy saving actions and projects, and promote renewable energy.

About 16,000 high pressure sodium vapor streetlights replaced with LED fittings leading to 40-45% energy savings.

Energy efficient retrofits for HVAC and lighting systems at an industrial park and municipal buildings.

ENERGY

First Indian city to adopt Eco-Housing programme that promotes rating for green buildings and encourages developers to adopt the Eco-Housing criteria.

Set up a dedicated Eco-Housing Cell and is undertaking an Eco-Housing demonstration project.

Comprehensive Mobility Plan to emphasise on sustainable modes of transportation.

Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) being implemented to promote public transport.

Metro Transit systems are also being planned.

Subsidies provided to 12,000 auto rickshaws to convert to CNG fuel.

BUILDING &TRANSPORT

Improved solid waste management system through door-to-door collection of approx 150 tonnes of dry recyclable waste everyday from more than 4 lakh households within 15 wards of Pune through Solid Waste Collection and Handling (SWaCH), a joint effort of Pune Municipal Corporation and the waste pickers’ union.

Converting municipal solid waste to energy and feeding this electricity into the grid from 700MT capacity plant.

Increased collection and recycling, and tax rebates for vermicompost facilities.

Indradhanushya Environment Education and Citizenship Center has been working since 2012 to provide students a platform to perform and recognise their potential in terms of knowledge and awareness for environment.

WASTEMANAGEMENT

COMMUNITYENGAGEMENT & AWARENESS BUILDING

Coimbatore, the second largest city in the state of Tamil Nadu, is emerging as a hub of software industries. It is among the first 20 smart cities listed by the government and is also among the 15 cities that will be developed as “Pilot Solar Cities”.

working toward promotion of renewable energy

Biogas plants installed in the Amma restaurants to reduce the use of LPGs and generate electricity.

Around 800 solar street lights installed at various zones in the city.

Rooftop solar systems installed in offices, public schools, hospitals, bus stands and restaurants, with a cumulative capacity of over 250kW, resulting in significant energy savings.

5 solar plants of total 350 kW capacity under execution.

Installation of a 3.5kWp capacity wind-solar hybrid RE system at Coimbatore’s Mettupalayam road bus terminal.

Installation of around 20,000 energy efficient LED street lights underway.

Automatic timers, dimmer equipment and electronic meters have been installed in the street lighting system.

Government building equipped with a 45 kVA power saving system for increased energy savings.

Borewell systems retrofitted with energy efficient motors and pumps.

ENERGY

COIMBATORE

Recycling lesson for around 13,000 students that was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Largest Recycling Lesson.”

COMMUNITYENGAGEMENT & AWARENESS BUILDING

As part of city mobilisation in the finalist cities, a Green Energy Awareness Programme was held in Pune. It was inaugurated by the deputy Mayor Mr. Mukari Anna Alagude. The Deputy Mayor while addressing the students, stressed on the

need to conserve energy.

The event attracted local suppliers and manufacturers of renewable energy technologies who demonstrated the various applications of renewable energy

sources in day to day life. A poster-making competition was also organised where more than 150 students from different schools and organisations participated

and expressed their vision of a green and sustainable city through posters.

We Love Cities is an associated digital campaign, inviting individuals across the world to show their support for the EHCC finalist cities that are going above and beyond to create a more sustainable, climate-friendly future.

Launched across various social media channels (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram), the campaign highlights the abundance and diversity of sustainable urban solutions, and mobilises the public in

support of those initiatives across the cities.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Top to bottom:Akila, 29 April 2016; Janpravas, 29 April 2016; Nav Bharat, 3 May 2016

Clockwise:Navarashtra, 1 May 2016; Jai Hind, 30 April 2016; Times of India, Vadodra, 2 May 2016; Yashbhoomi, 29 April 2016; Alpha Mahanagar, 3 May 2016

MEDIA COVERAGE

VOXPOP

What people have to say!

PUNEIncrease solar street light installations across the city.

Large corporates should make company bus or public transport mandatory for their employees.

Improved transportation and better traffic management facilities.

Introduce tram lines in the city.

Promote cycling and make dedicated cycle paths.

Plant more trees along the roads. Increased green spaces in the city.

COIMBATORENeed to improve public transportation facilities by introducing metro rail and strengthening bus services.

Improve road infrastructure by better maintenance of existing roads, building of inner and outer ring roads, and also by having more over bridges and subways.

Bring better waste management and prevent waste being dumped in lakes and rivers.

More awareness campaigns for segregation of waste at source should be conducted in schools & colleges.

Replace all the lighting systems in the city with LEDs.

Restrict the use of plastic bags in city shops.

Plant more trees and have more city forests.

RAJKOTImproved transportation system.

Better traffic management and smart parking facilities.

Mass transportation powered by green energy.

Strict rules for polluting vehicles.

More emphasis on promoting renewable energy applications.

More research and development on solar energy.

More tree plantation drives.

Conduct more environment awareness programmes for people.

Rajkot was declared the National Earth Hour Capital 2015-16 for its strong commitments across key areas, backed by strong low carbon actions and community engagement. Rajkot was lauded for its strategies to drive sustainability efforts with focus on low carbon development, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

NATIONAL EARTH HOUR CAPITAL 2016

“I am glad to know that Rajkot city has been selected as the national capital for India under global Earth Hour City Challenge 2016. Rajkot Municipal Corporation is on a continuous journey to align its activities as per the international standards in different sectors and we have achieved tremendous success by adopting and implementing various innovative and sustainable measures in our local practices. We are especially committed toward advancing and replicating our sustainable actions in transportation, waste management and renewable energy sectors. We hope to engage with WWF-India and ICLEI South Asia in future for these kinds of programmes and want to express our greatest interest in these efforts.” - Dr Jaiman Upadhyay, Hon’ble Mayor of Rajkot

Hon’ble Mayor, Dr Jaiman Upadhyay, at the EHCC Award Ceremony held at Quito, Ecuador in October 2016

Rajkot bags National Earth Hour Capital 2016 titleTNN | Jun 23, 2016, 02.59 PM IST

Printed from

R AJKOT: Rajkot has been declared the National Earth Hour Capital 2016 in WWF's global Earth Hour City Challenge

(EHCC) for its strong commitments across key areas, backed by strong low carbon actions and community

engagement. Rajkot now joins the ranks of previous National Earth Hour capitals that include Thane, Coimbatore

and New Delhi.

The WWF annual EHCC is a year-long competition that highlights and rewards cities for their substantial long-term efforts to

combat climate change. Worldwide, cities that participate are recognized for their efforts in spreading the global movement to

create more sustainable and resilient cities, and compete for the title of Global Earth Hour Capital. 125 cities from 21 countries

participated in this year's challenge, of which 11 were Indian cities. Pune and Coimbatore were declared finalists from India,

along with Rajkot.

After an initial evaluation by WWF and global consultancy Accenture, a 17 member expert jury comprising leaders in urban

sustainability appointed one city from each country as the National Earth Hour Capital and a Global Earth Hour Capital. While

Paris has emerged as the Global Earth Hour Capital for this year, Rajkot was also in the run-up to bag the title alongside 17

National Earth Hour Capitals from across the world.

Rajkot was lauded for its strategies to drive sustainability efforts with focus on low carbon development, renewable energy and

energy efficiency. Its strong focus on community engagement for sustainable development and adoption of renewable energy

are among the key reasons for the city's win. Some of the inspiring and noteworthy initiatives rolled out by Rajkot include the

SMART Society Scheme - a scheme that works towards integrating community efforts for zero waste, emission reduction,

energy saving and water management through a competition among housing societies. The Bus Rapid Transport System - the

first phase of which has already been completed, energy efficient street lighting, innovative waste management practices and

collaboration with regional and international programs are among the other significant initiatives.

Rajkot was also ranked 7th in the top 20 cleanest cities in the results of Clean India Mission survey by Government of India

announced in January this year. It is also one of the solar cities of India.

WWF works closely with ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability to mobilize cities to participate in the Earth Hour City

Challenge. ICLEI assists cities in reporting their data on its carbonn Climate Registry platform.

"I am glad to know that Rajkot city has been selected as the national capital for India under global Earth Hour City Challenge

2015-16. Rajkot Municipal Corporation is on a continuous journey to align its activities as per the international standards in

different sectors and we have achieved tremendous success by adopting and implementing various innovative and sustainable

measures in our local practices. We are especially committed towards advancing and replicating our sustainable actions in

transportation, waste management and renewable energy sectors. We hope to engage with WWF-India and ICLEI South Asia in

future for these kinds of programmes and want to express our greatest interest in these efforts'' said Dr. Jaiman Upadhyay,

Mayor Rajkot city.

Rajkot bags National Earth Hour Capital 2016 title - Times of... http://timesoÞndia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Rajkot-bags-Na...

1 of 1 26/10/16, 12:59

Rajkot bags National Earth Hour Capital 2016 titleTNN | Jun 23, 2016, 02.59 PM IST

Printed from

R AJKOT: Rajkot has been declared the National Earth Hour Capital 2016 in WWF's global Earth Hour City Challenge

(EHCC) for its strong commitments across key areas, backed by strong low carbon actions and community

engagement. Rajkot now joins the ranks of previous National Earth Hour capitals that include Thane, Coimbatore

and New Delhi.

The WWF annual EHCC is a year-long competition that highlights and rewards cities for their substantial long-term efforts to

combat climate change. Worldwide, cities that participate are recognized for their efforts in spreading the global movement to

create more sustainable and resilient cities, and compete for the title of Global Earth Hour Capital. 125 cities from 21 countries

participated in this year's challenge, of which 11 were Indian cities. Pune and Coimbatore were declared finalists from India,

along with Rajkot.

After an initial evaluation by WWF and global consultancy Accenture, a 17 member expert jury comprising leaders in urban

sustainability appointed one city from each country as the National Earth Hour Capital and a Global Earth Hour Capital. While

Paris has emerged as the Global Earth Hour Capital for this year, Rajkot was also in the run-up to bag the title alongside 17

National Earth Hour Capitals from across the world.

Rajkot was lauded for its strategies to drive sustainability efforts with focus on low carbon development, renewable energy and

energy efficiency. Its strong focus on community engagement for sustainable development and adoption of renewable energy

are among the key reasons for the city's win. Some of the inspiring and noteworthy initiatives rolled out by Rajkot include the

SMART Society Scheme - a scheme that works towards integrating community efforts for zero waste, emission reduction,

energy saving and water management through a competition among housing societies. The Bus Rapid Transport System - the

first phase of which has already been completed, energy efficient street lighting, innovative waste management practices and

collaboration with regional and international programs are among the other significant initiatives.

Rajkot was also ranked 7th in the top 20 cleanest cities in the results of Clean India Mission survey by Government of India

announced in January this year. It is also one of the solar cities of India.

WWF works closely with ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability to mobilize cities to participate in the Earth Hour City

Challenge. ICLEI assists cities in reporting their data on its carbonn Climate Registry platform.

"I am glad to know that Rajkot city has been selected as the national capital for India under global Earth Hour City Challenge

2015-16. Rajkot Municipal Corporation is on a continuous journey to align its activities as per the international standards in

different sectors and we have achieved tremendous success by adopting and implementing various innovative and sustainable

measures in our local practices. We are especially committed towards advancing and replicating our sustainable actions in

transportation, waste management and renewable energy sectors. We hope to engage with WWF-India and ICLEI South Asia in

future for these kinds of programmes and want to express our greatest interest in these efforts'' said Dr. Jaiman Upadhyay,

Mayor Rajkot city.

Rajkot bags National Earth Hour Capital 2016 title - Times of... http://timesoÞndia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Rajkot-bags-Na...

1 of 1 26/10/16, 12:59

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY PROGRAMME, WWF-INDIA

Ms Divya Joy, Communications Officerdjoy@wwfindia.net | 011-41504823

Dr Suchismita Mukhopadhyay, Associate Directorsmukhopadhyay@wwfindia.net | 011-41504823

Dr T.S. Panwar, Directortspanwar@wwfindia.net | 011-43516245