The Asian Green City Index report, a unique research on environmental sustainability of 22 major cities in Asia, conducted by the Economic Intelligence Unit and commissioned by Siemens has lots of food for thought for the Indian cities that went under the hammer. Eight parameters formed the crux of the study framework namely energy and CO2, land use and buildings, transport, waste, water, sanitation, air quality and environmental governance. The overall verdict for the Indian cities – Mumbai, Calcutta and Bengaluru fared badly ranked “below average” when it comes to environmental and climate protection, the saving grace if you can term it thus credited to Delhi finding mention as an “average performer”. The Greenest Metropolis tag went to Singapore, a testimony to its focus on environmental sustainability.
Asian Green City Index – Source – Siemens
Some interesting insights from the Green report vis a vis the Indian metros of which Chennai was not included in the scope of study.
Mumbai is the densest city
Mumbai might be the land of opportunities, the maximum city to a whole lot of people , but the suffocating truth is that it is the densest city in the green index,a crushing 27000 people/square kilometers.
Bengaluru scores high on low CO2 emissions
Bengaluru can give itself a pat on its back, boasting of some of the lowest levels of CO2 emissions per capita, all thanks to most of its energy needs being generated from renewable sources, some solace considering the city is more in the news now for garbage disposal woes.
Kolkata, low on water consumption
At 138 litres per day per person,Kolkata is characterized by relatively low water consumption, quite low even among the the 22 cities. Is water scarcity a contributing factor?
Delhi, low per capita waste generation
Surprisingly Delhi has an extraordinary low per capita waste generation figure of 147kg per year, perhaps results of concerted efforts towards ensuring the green way of life.
Jan Friederich, research head of the EIU study has the last word.
Cities that performed well in the Index are characterized by their ability to successfully implement environmental projects and consistently enforce regulations.
The encouraging note is environmental awareness and climate protection guidelines are playing an increasingly important role.
For the comprehensive report, which makes for some riveting reading, cycle over here.
I ahve often admired Singapore for its eco-planning. It is an inspiration that we should strive to follow.
Glad that Chennai was not included in the survey. The old charm of Chennai is fast giving way to crowded, tree-less metropolitan city.