Kolkata is set to organise a climate COP — conference of people — to prepare a climate action plan for the city, a Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) representative said at a meeting held on the sidelines of COP27 here on Monday.
Kolkata was the only Indian city invited to the meeting — themed on urban climate resilience — which had representations from entire south Asia. Kolkata has been identified in recent UN global reports as among the cities that are most vulnerable to climate change.
COP27 — the UN-led 27th conference of parties on climate change — is being organised with the objective to find ways to save the planet from warming toxic gases.
“Recent global reports have categorically shown how vulnerable the city is, being close to the Sunderbans, one of the major global hotspots. Reports have clearly stated our risk to high heat, high-intensity cyclones, major rainfall within a short duration and likewise. Only during the Amphan cyclone in 2020, about 15,000 trees were uprooted in the city,” Debasish Kumar, chair of the KMC’s climate and solar committee, said at the event.
“Already, we have taken a series of steps, including providing solar connectivity in parks, introducing electric vehicles and planting greenery, but we know that we have to do more to reduce the city’s carbon footprint,” the mayoral council member said.
“We will plan our own COP, conference of people, to interact with all stakeholders...regarding climate change.”
Sanjay Vashist, director of the Climate Action Network South Asia, which organised the meeting, promised support to the KMC.
“We are committed to supporting the KMC in its efforts to counter climate change and prepare its climate action plan. I feel it’s a great idea to organise a climate COP for the city,” said Vashist.