The Climate Action Workshop – Mumbai Chapter, held on January 29, 2025, was the third event in the Climate Action Series, organized by the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) in collaboration with the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC). Titled “Climate Solutions for Future-Ready Cities,” the workshop brought together CSR leaders, policy experts, and development organizations to drive actionable strategies for urban climate resilience.
Shri Praveen Pardeshi (IAS), CEO of the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), attended as the Chief Guest and shared insights on Greening Cities for Decarbonization, highlighting the role of nature-based solutions in urban planning.
A significant milestone of the workshop was the launch of the Mira Bhayandar Climate Action Plan, unveiled by senior leadership from MITRA, MBMC, MAHAPREIT (a Government of Maharashtra undertaking), and AKAH India. This plan provides a structured roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance resilience, and adapt to climate change. Aligned with Maharashtra’s net-zero vision and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), this marks the fifth Climate Action Plan developed for Maharashtra.
The event featured expert-led panel discussions, including ‘Breathe Easy: Paving the Path to Eco-Cities’ and ‘Resilient Cities: Strategies for Urban Climate Risk Mitigation’. These sessions explored air quality improvement strategies, urban heat mitigation, and sustainable urban planning approaches.
The workshop served as a strategic platform for CSR professionals, think tanks, and NGOs to collaborate, discuss, and accelerate solutions for climate-resilient cities.
The Climate Action Workshop – Delhi Chapter titled, “Adapting to the Edge: Urban and Coastal Resilience” marked the second event in the Climate Action Series, organized by Aga Khan Agency for Habitat India on 13th February 2025. The workshop brought together experts, policymakers, and corporate leaders to discuss climate adaptation and resilience strategies and the role of CSR in driving impactful climate action.
The keynote addresses was given by Mr. Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa and former CEO at NITI Aayog who shared his insights on global trends towards climate adaptation and outlining ways in which India can contribute. The second keynote address was given by Mr. Onno Ruhl, Former Global Head, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat. The workshop was enriched with a masterclass on carbon sequestration and carbon credits by Shruti Narayan, C40.
A major highlight of the workshop was the MoU signing between National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat. The workshop featured two panel discussions: ‘Nature-Based Solutions: Coastal Climate Resilience’, which highlighted the role of mangrove conservation, community engagement, and urban planning in coastal protection, and ‘Built Environment: Climate-Resilient Communities’, which explored green building practices, community-led sustainability initiatives, and innovative financing mechanisms.
The Climate Action Workshop – Mumbai Chapter, held on November 22, 2023, marked the launch of the Climate Action Series, organized by the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) India. Under the theme “Building Climate Resilience Towards Net-Zero,” the workshop brought together CSR professionals, think tanks, and NGOs to explore the intersection of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives in advancing climate action.
The keynote address by Mr. Onno Ruhl, Former Global Head of AKAH, provided a global macroeconomic perspective on climate resilience, emphasizing the role of CSR and ESG in shaping sustainable development. The workshop featured a series of in-depth discussions on critical climate challenges and solutions. One session examined how nature-based solutions, when integrated with CSR and ESG frameworks, can enhance coastal climate resilience. Another discussion focused on strategies for designing urban infrastructure that withstands extreme weather events while improving overall livability. The final session explored the future of carbon sequestration, highlighting innovative methods for reducing emissions and the role of businesses in leading decarbonization efforts.
The workshop served as a strategic platform for collaboration, driving dialogue on actionable solutions for climate resilience and the transition to a net-zero future.
