The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to create the Eco-Vizag Green City Action Plan (GCAP), which aims to integrate climate mitigation strategies into local initiatives. The draft plan proposes 42 measures across key sectors, including energy, transportation, and waste management, with a potential 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2034. High-impact initiatives include promoting electric vehicles and enhancing building codes. GVMC plans to refine the draft with input from local stakeholders, positioning the GCAP as a vital part of its broader Eco-Vizag campaign for sustainable development.
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is collaborating with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to develop the Eco-Vizag Green City Action Plan (GCAP). This initiative seeks to integrate climate mitigation strategies into the GMC's Eco-Vizag campaign by establishing a roadmap to help Vizag achieve its environmental and developmental objectives. Currently in the drafting phase, the plan suggests that if the proposed measures are fully implemented, Vizag could realize a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to 2.0 million tons of CO2 by 2034. Additionally, the solutions outlined in the plan indicate a significant pipeline for green investment.
The draft Eco-Vizag Green City Action Plan (GCAP) has identified 42 key measures across four vital sectors: built environment and energy, transportation, solid waste management, and water and wastewater. Among these, eight high-impact initiatives have been highlighted, including the promotion of private electric vehicles, the launch of a rooftop solar photovoltaic program for private buildings, enhancements to building codes, the expansion of the subway system, the implementation of smart energy display meters, the provision of incentives for green building certification, upgrades to energy efficiency in private structures, and the establishment of an electrified public bus system.
In a conversation with TOI, a GVMC official mentioned that meetings with experts and various city stakeholders would be convened soon to collaboratively refine the draft and develop a final plan. The official noted that since these initial measures were based on international experiences, they planned to integrate more local contexts and solutions into the final draft. The official anticipated that the completed plan would be ready in the coming months.
According to the proposals outlined in the draft, several key initiatives within the built environment and energy sector include a city-wide solar photovoltaic program, a comprehensive green building code, and enhancements in energy efficiency for private buildings. In the transportation sector, the plan emphasizes financing and incentives for private electric vehicles, as well as the expansion of the subway and public bus systems, all aimed at promoting a transition to electric mobility and encouraging the use of public transit.
Collectively, these initiatives are expected to contribute to 25 percent of the greenhouse gas savings required to achieve the overall emissions reduction target, representing 85 percent of the total goal. The GCAP and the associated green investment pipeline are designed to complement the ongoing Eco-Vizag campaign, which seeks to establish an integrated and analytical framework for implementing sustainable projects throughout the city.
The plan identifies four key opportunities that link policies and investment actions: facilitating green building upgrades through on-bill financing, enhancing a robust green building code backed by the EDGE program, promoting low-carbon mobility through electric vehicles and expanded public transportation, and supporting green municipal infrastructure through sustainability-linked financing.
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GMC) will play a pivotal role in bringing together stakeholders, influencing public policy, and raising awareness about the GCAP.
The Eco-Vizag Green City Action Plan represents a significant step toward achieving Vizag's environmental and developmental goals. By incorporating local insights into the final draft, GVMC aims to create a comprehensive framework for sustainability that addresses pressing urban challenges and promotes a greener, more resilient city for the future.
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