A ‘Mumbai model’ for climate action: Lessons from the pandemic
Mumbai is one of 43 Indian cities among the world’s 100 most imperiled by climate-related threats. Cyclone Tauktae’s impact on Mumbai could have been much worse. These extreme weather events indicate that the climate crisis has arrived. The monsoon will likely, once again, involve widespread flooding and damage. To address these challenges, Mumbai needs a range of proactive measures.
For climate action, the city can emulate the principles informing its Covid-19 response, termed the “Mumbai model”. Over the last year, political leaders and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have directed resources towards averting a public health disaster. Here are three practices used to tackle Covid-19 that can inform the city’s climate crisis readiness.
First, in the same manner that Mumbai has deferred to data and doctors about Covid-19, science and experts should guide the city’s climate plans. The BMC must evaluate indicators over varied time horizons — urgently assessing flood-prone areas for the coming monsoon; analysing Mumbai’s vulnerability to weather-related disasters and disparities in air pollution and heat between neighbourhoods; and adapting to longer trends such as sea-level rises and urbanisation due to rural distress.
This evidence can help Mumbai create measurable targets about improving infrastructure’s absorptive capacity, enhancing air quality, reducing emissions, increasing public transport ridership, and building affordable and energy-efficient homes.
Second, Mumbai minimised some of the devastating impact of the second wave by investing in testing facilities and building additional capacity for beds and oxygen storage. Similarly, BMC needs to ramp up infrastructure to deal with climate-related challenges. For disaster preparedness, Mumbai should secure its electricity supply and build reserve systems for water and power. Guided by data and research, BMC should upgrade drainage systems and re-evaluate ill-conceived projects that only accentuate risk. Building guidelines should emphasise low-rise high-density development, mixed use planning and pedestrian access. This will reduce energy consumption from cooling and transportation. Low-rise buildings also reduce vulnerability to high-intensity winds during cyclones, which are expected more frequently because of a warming Arabian Sea.
Crucially, in addition to minimising grey infrastructure’s ecological footprint and emissions, Mumbai must conserve blue and green infrastructure. The Maharashtra government’s declaration of Aarey as a reserve forest and expansion of the eco-sensitive zone around the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary are welcome steps. Studies show that mangroves, wetlands and intact ecosystems are more effective and less expensive than artificial barriers in mitigating climate disasters.
Third, Covid-19 has demonstrated how an informed and empowered administration is essential to crisis response. Mumbai must develop institutional capacity so that its officials can govern the complexities that come with the climate crisis. The decentralisation of power during the pandemic from the chief minister to the municipal commissioner and, in turn, to ward officials will also be critical to climate action. Participatory planning on issues such as managing waste and increasing green cover can diminish damage from climate disasters. With incentives for civic participation, Mumbai can create more livable micro-climates through community gardens and rooftop farming. Institutional capacity will also be required to facilitate interdepartmental coordination for issues that don’t fall within the BMC’S sole jurisdiction.
With its culture, commerce, capital and capabilities, Mumbai is uniquely positioned to tackle the pandemic and climate. These assets should be leveraged towards addressing its concentration of risk in a warming world. India’s financial capital will only be a viable home for millions and an engine of growth if BMC uses its resources to build climate-resilience.