GEF to take up pilot projects in 4 cities

Global Environment Facility (GEF) that supports UN objectives on protecting environment and addressing climate change concerns, has agreed to undertake pilot projects in four Indian cities for promoting green practices in urban areas.
An understanding in this regard was reached during a meeting between the visiting CEO and Chairperson of GEF, Naoko Ishii with Minister of Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu here today.
Ishii said that the purpose of her visit to India was to learn more about the Centre's initiatives in urban sector like building 100 Smart Cities and infrastructure development in 500 cities, and to explore if GEF could partner in promoting sustainable urban management practices, a release said.

Naidu gave an account of different schemes and objectives which include enabling inclusive and sustainable urban development.
After detailed discussion on urban development challenges and the need to promote environmentally sustainable strategies, Naidu suggested that GEF should take up pilot projects for demonstrating comprehensive and sustainable urban practices encompassing conservation and efficient energy use, reducing carbon emissions for addressing climate change concerns.
The four cities for implementing pilot projects will soon be identified through consultations between GEF and the Ministry.
GEF is a financial mechanism to support countries in efforts to achieve the goals of United Nations conventions covering climate change, biodiversity, Ozone layer depletion, land degradation etc.

GEF is also working on an Integrated Programme on sustainable cities to develop conceptual models on integrated urban design, planning and management for resilient and sustainable development.