More than half of the world’s population now resides in the cities and are thus vulnerable to urban climate change such as increased heat stress and extremes. Globally, cities contribute to more than 80% of the global GDP and 75% of all greenhouse gases/carbon emissions. Thus, they are both contributors to climate change and also potential agents for tackling it. However, their representation in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans is inadequate. Nevertheless, in recent times, the inclusion of the 11th sustainable development goal (SDG) exclusively focusing on cities and the formation of groups like the U-20 under the G-20 umbrella have acknowledged the need for city-level action plans. The ministerial meeting on urbanisation and climate change at COP-28 stressed the importance and role of cities in achieving climate change mitigation and adaptation targets. These initiatives show the importance attached to cities and their role in global affairs including climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Bhubaneswar, a tier-II city in the eastern State of Odisha, is rapidly urbanising in recent times. For example, the built-up area in the city increased by about 166% during the period 2004-2015. Studies using satellite-based observations showed a nighttime heat dome over the city with an elevated temperature (about 1C). Additionally, Bhubaneswar has warmed at a faster rate, with almost about 0.68C enhancement in the last two decades. Such warming is particularly higher in the newly urbanising areas in the periphery of the city, experiencing almost doubled warming over the same period.
