Policy Matters [July-September 2024]
Read our quarterly newsletter featuring CSTEP commentary, publications, events, and other developments
Nature-based solutions for climate adaptation in coastal urban areas
CSTEP is developing a comprehensive Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Feasibility Framework to enhance urban resilience against climate risks such as flooding, heatwaves, and storms. This project targets Chennai and Mangaluru, two cities at the opposite ends of the urbanisation spectrum. While Chennai, a densely urbanised metropolis, requires large-scale NbS interventions to address its severe climate risks, Mangaluru, a rapidly growing city, offers an opportunity to embed NbS early in its development to protect natural ecosystems.
Compendium: Nature-based solutions for climate adaptation in coastal urban areas
Coastal urban ecosystems are under siege from climate change, rapid urbanisation, and environmental degradation. These escalating pressures threaten the sustainability, resilience, and well-being of communities in these regions. Despite the transformative potential of nature-based solutions (NbS) to combat these issues, their integration into urban planning and policy frameworks remains lacking owing to a persistent knowledge gap and ambiguity surrounding NbS concepts.
Addressing the gaps in PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
India launched a landmark scheme, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, in February this year, to support the uptake of rooftop solar photovoltaics (RTPVs) in the country. Under this scheme, residential households are eligible for a subsidy of INR 30,000 per kilowatt (kW) for the first 2 kW and INR 18,000 per kW for an additional capacity of up to 3 kW. With over 1.28 crore registrations and 14.84 lakh applications, the scheme has garnered remarkable interest as highlighted in the recent union budget.