NRDC India

The convening brought together global experts & national representatives whose feedback was sought. Valuable insights were given on how such centres can support the implementation of the Montreal Protocol’s goals and foster regional collaboration on climate-friendly cooling solutions. (4/4)

Supported by @nrdc.org, Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy & some other institutions, Akash presented some of his research findings including

🏛️ Potential governance structures

💸 Funding strategies

👨‍🏭 Core activities

(3/4)

Focused on sustainable cooling in developing countries,
@nrdcindia.bsky.social's Akash Goenka made a presentation based on his research prior to the discussion. The research draws from international efforts and ongoing initiatives to set up centres of excellence. (2/4)

#NRDCEvents #NewThread

@nrdc.org in collaboration with the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy hosted a roundtable focused on the development of regional Centres of Excellence earlier in the week at the 47th Open Ended Working Group meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (1/4)

Based on growth trends and cost feasibility, year-wise EV penetration targets were recommended for different commercial fleet segments. The entire report is available on the link below (3/3)

Fleet Electrification Report: www.nrdcindia.org/pdf/HYDERABA...

#TransportTransition #NetZero #Emissions

The comprehensive, data-driven methodology included

📝 In-depth assessment of the vehicle growth pattern in Hyderabad across various vehicle types
👨‍💻 Segment-wise analysis of EV adoption trends
💸 Total Cost of Ownership analysis for multiple vehicle categories and use cases (2/3)

#CleanMobility #EVs

#NRDCReport #NewThread

Earlier this year the Govt of Telangana in partnership with @nrdc.org & Administrative Staff College of India developed a fleet electrification roadmap for Hyderabad’s commercial fleets. (1/3)

Report link: www.nrdcindia.org/pdf/HYDERABA...

#CleanTransportation #Electric

Knowledge partners who supported the development of the Varanasi HAP include — Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar IIPHG, Mahila Housing Trust, and local stakeholders like the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust and Varanasi CMO Office. (4/4)

At the launch, Dipa Singh Bagai, Country Head, NRDC India, shared the opening remarks, followed by Bijal Brahmbhatt, Director, Mahila Housing Trust who discussed the pressing need to find cooling solutions in a warming world. This was followed by NRDC India's Ritika Kapoor presenting the HAP (3/4)

Launched by the Mayor of Varanasi, Shri Ashok Kumar Tiwari, the HAP is grounded in data-driven analysis and local community engagement, including:

🌡️ Climate projections from 2025 to 2050
🗺️ Ward-level heat vulnerability mapping
🎯 Targeted actions for high-risk populations

(2/4)

#ClimateAction #NewThread

Marking a major milestone in Uttar Pradesh, India's climate resilience journey, Varanasi Nagar Nigam officially launched the city’s first Heat Action Plan (HAP), a forward-looking strategy designed to protect residents from the rising threat of extreme heat. (1/4)

The aim is to implement and scale the Heat Action Plan and increase the responsiveness of Churu city administration to heat-related emergencies.

#ClimateAction #Thread

Earlier this month, @nrdc.org signed an MoU with the Municipal Council Churu, Rajasthan & Mahila Housing Trust to provide regular exchange of information, innovation, knowledge, technological developments, support for creation and implementation of Heat Action Plan for Churu

#ClimateAction #NewPartnerships

With the aim of building climate resilience, @nrdc.org signed an MoU with the Government of Maharashtra, India last week with the aim of working together on heat action plans, reducing the urban heat island effect and scaling up cool roof initiatives in the state.

Shri Sumit Kumar Additional Municipal Commissioner of Ayodhya & Dr. Deepak B Saxena, Director, Indian Institute of Public Health - Gandhinagar were joined by Manish Bapna, President & CEO, NRDC & Dipa Singh Bagai, Country Head, NRDC India for the signing

Earlier this month, @nrdc.org signed an MoU with the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation & the Indian Institute for Public Health - Gandhinagar to provide regular exchange of information, innovation, knowledge, tech developments & support for creation & implementation of a Heat Action Plan for the city

Key takeaways from #GHCF2025:
Heat resilience must be prioritized across governance, finance & communities.
Cooling must be sustainable & equitable.
Nature-based & infrastructure solutions are key.

Dipa Bagai, NRDC India, highlighted the deepening heat divide, noting that many cooling solutions worsen the crisis instead of solving it. Archana Soreng, UN Youth Advisory Group, called for people-oriented, community-driven solutions for heat resilience.

Daniel P. Schrag, Harvard University, warned that we are reaching temperature limits for human viability & that the Paris Agreement targets may not hold as emissions continue to overshoot. He stressed that mitigation & adaptation must go hand in hand.

As #GHCF2025 came to a close, the final session, Towards GHCF 2026, moderated by Chinmaya Acharya, NRDC, explored the growing imbalance between mitigation & adaptation and the urgent need to scale solutions for rising heat challenges.

Vasudevan Rangarajan, Edelman, stressed that cooling isn’t a luxury—it’s an economic necessity. The takeaway? Clear, data-driven & solution-focused messaging is key to mobilizing investment & public action in sustainable cooling. #GHCF2025 #HeatResilience

Harvir Singh, Rural Voice, said media mostly covers extreme heat after disasters & called for continuous reporting from research to implementation. Pooja Haldea, Ashoka University, emphasized that relatable messaging drives real behavioral change.

Mihir Shah, CEEW, noted that climate messaging is still problem-focused, limiting large-scale adoption of solutions. Kartiki Negi, Climate Trends, stressed the need for localized, data-driven reporting to keep heat resilience in mainstream discussions.

A session moderated by Urmi Goswami, Economic Times, explored how communication & narratives can drive climate action. Experts emphasized shifting the focus from problems to solutions & making heat resilience a year-round discussion.

Dr. Husamuddin Ahmadzai, UNDP, warned that carbon trading markets are volatile & long-term climate finance is unpredictable. The takeaway? Heat resilience needs diverse financing—philanthropy, private investment & government support. #GHCF2025 #ClimateFinance

Shravan Shankar, Climake, noted that mitigation gets the most funding while adaptation remains underfunded. Dr. Dhruba Purkayastha, CEEW, stressed that public finance must ensure access to district cooling & trickle down to urban local bodies (ULBs).

Aaran Patel, Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation, highlighted philanthropy’s role in early-stage heat resilience pilots, offering a model for scaling government interventions. Nidhi Upadhyaya, Atlantic Council, emphasized multi-stakeholder finance coordination & adaptation funding.

As #GHCF2025 continues, the focus shifts to finance—a key enabler for scaling heat resilience & sustainable cooling. While solutions exist, unlocking capital, building financial models & ensuring equitable access remain key challenges.

The session reinforced that true climate resilience is built from the ground up. Empowering communities with financial tools, education & local engagement is critical for adaptation. #GHCF2025

Mary McBryde, Climate Resilience for All, stressed that women face disproportionate heat impacts—mentally, financially & physically. She called for heat-resilient insurance, early warning systems & tech training to equip communities against rising temperatures.