New Delhi International Conference on Cities & Climate Change

Cities cover less than 1% of the planet’s surface, and are home to around 50% of the world’s population, and many of them see a rapid growth trend. Taken together, all cities and urban areas worldwide use 75% of the world’s energy and are responsible for 75% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Cities have traditionally been the places where many of the solutions to the world’s problems have been developed, making all cities potential leaders in the global effort for a low carbon future. Asia is arguably among the regions of the world most vulnerable to climate change.

Climate change and climatic variability have and will continue to impact all sectors, from national and economic security to human health, food production, infrastructure, water availability and ecosystems. Delhi, India’s capital city, with small defined boundaries experiences a lot of stress on natural resources. The ever increasing demand for energy, habitat, transportation and solid and liquid waste disposal results in the generation of GHGs responsible for global warming.

With this as the background, the Government of Delhi, in partnership with ICLEI South Asia and Center for Occupational & Environmental Health (COEH) is organizing a New Delhi International Conference on “Cities & Climate Change” to discuss Mega Cities’ Stand and Way Forward.

Date(s): 21 & 22 February, 2011
Venue: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi

The Conference will discuss carbon footprints, energy efficiency and transportation, waste management, water conservation, biodiversity and afforestation, scope of renewable energy in urban mega cities and sustainable agriculture among other topics. The conference will bring together a wide array of participants to address the climate change issues facing rapidly growing mega cities. Representatives of city, state and national governments, national and international organizations, research institutions and technical experts in the field of climate change and environment management will discuss and engage in dialogue over the two days. Issues ranging from sustainable municipal services to transitioning towards cleaner forms of energy in Indian cities will also be discussed.

For more information, contact:

Sh. M. Dwarakanath,
S.S.O, Dept of Environment,
Govt. of NCT of Delhi
Tele.: 91-11-23392306
Email: dwarak98(at)gmail.com