BENGALURU: The Greater Bengaluru Authority’s Climate Action Cell (CAC) is developing a ward-level climate action plan for Bengaluru.
As part of this initiative, 10 wards across five city corporations will be selected, and a specific ward climate action plan (WCAP) will be created for each. These plans will offer a comprehensive overview of current environmental conditions, primary challenges, potential solutions, and a prioritized list of actions to ensure effective execution.
The CAC is forming a working group to spearhead this project. According to the recent stakeholder meeting, this group will provide technical and sectoral expertise, assist with local stakeholder engagement, and support knowledge sharing. It will also supervise the preparation of WCAP reports, curate the report framework, and ensure quality outcomes for all 10 selected wards by January 2026.
This group will work in close collaboration with CAC fellows, regularly reviewing progress and reporting back to the CAC to guarantee transparency and accountability. A structural matrix is being proposed to align ward-level initiatives, clarify responsibilities, and establish effective monitoring systems.
Initiated in 2023 under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) Bengaluru Climate Action and Resilience Plan (BCAP), the CAC aims to support the city’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions as part of the C40 Cities network. Since its launch, BCAP, in collaboration with WRI India, has been formulating strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilient communities.
Local environmentalists are supportive of this initiative but stress the importance of focusing on impactful actions. Dattatreya Devare, trustee of the Bangalore Environment Trust, noted, “Implementing the BMLTA Act, establishing bus priority lanes per the Comprehensive Mobility Plan, creating low-emission zones, and mapping Bengaluru’s blue-green cover are significant steps that can greatly enhance the city’s climate resilience.”
He emphasized that while ward-level plans are commendable, the CAC must prioritize these essential actions with clear timelines and measurable targets.
