Governance
Delhi Declaration 2025
- 23 Oct 2025
- 10 min read
For Prelims: UNFCCC, Adaptation, Mitigation, Conference of the Parties 29, Nationally Determined Contributions, Paris Agreement,
For Mains: Urban Climate Governance.
Why in News?
The Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals, adopted at the ARISE Cities Forum 2025 in New Delhi, is set to be presented at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. It serves as a landmark commitment from cities of the Global South to shape climate action through multilevel governance.
What is Delhi Declaration 2025?
- About: The Delhi Declaration 2025 marks a major milestone in strengthening urban climate leadership and resilience, especially across the Global South.
- Key Commitments of the Delhi Declaration:
- Advance Local Climate Action: Strengthen and resource multilevel Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for measurable climate outcomes.
- Drive Inclusive Urban Resilience: Promote adaptation, circular economy practices, and nature-based solutions in city planning.
- Promote Just Transitions: Ensure fairness and equity in the shift toward net-zero emissions.
- Empower Citizens: Expand participation of women, youth, and communities in climate decision-making.
- Strengthen Governance: Build data-driven, transparent, and accountable systems for urban climate action.
- Mobilise Climate Finance: Enable direct and predictable access to climate finance for cities.
- Champion Global South Leadership: Encourage South-South cooperation, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
- Significance: The declaration represents a collective urban commitment to act locally while influencing global climate policy.
- It positions cities as pivotal players in achieving sustainable, resilient, and equitable growth pathways.
ARISE
- Full Form: Adaptive, Resilient, Innovative, Sustainable, and Equitable
- Objective: To create a collaborative platform for city leaders, experts, and policymakers to discuss sustainable urban futures.
- Led by: ICLEI South Asia (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) - a global network of over 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.
Why Urban Climate Governance Matters for India and the Global South?
- Urban Climate Governance & Urbanisation Trends: Urban Climate Governance refers to the framework of institutions, policies, and collaborations that enable cities to plan and implement climate action.
- It ensures that urban areas, which contribute to over 70% of global CO₂ emissions, become centres of climate solutions, not sources of vulnerability.
- Over 50% of the global population lives in cities; projected to reach 68% by 2050 (UN).
- India adds nearly 10 million new urban residents each year, heightening risks from heatwaves, pollution, and floods.
- Examples of city-level leadership include Pune and Surat’s heat action plans, Indore’s waste circularity, and Kochi’s nature-based flood solutions.
- Disproportionate Vulnerabilities: The urban poor suffer most due to informal housing and weak access to services.
- Existing waste, water, and energy systems are already overstressed, and climate change worsens these strains.
- Bridging Policy and Practice: While national policies exist, action remains top-down. The Delhi Declaration urges locally determined actions.
- Strengthened urban climate governance ensures resilience, inclusivity, and effective translation of global climate goals into local realities,
What are India’s Initiatives in Urban Climate Governance?
- National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (NMSH):
- Part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- Focuses on energy efficiency in buildings, sustainable mobility, and solid waste management in cities.
- Smart Cities Mission (SCM):
- Aims to develop 100 smart cities focusing on climate-smart infrastructure, renewable energy, and efficient resource use.
- Encourages integrated command centres for data-driven governance.
- ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF):
- CSCAF has been developed to evaluate cities on five key themes: energy, mobility, water, waste, and urban planning.
- National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) Initiatives:
- Leads the Climate Centre for Cities (C-Cube) to help urban local bodies mainstream climate action.
- AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation)
- AMRUT 2.0 promotes water security, green spaces, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- NCAP launched in 2019, originally aimed for a 20%-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2024, on the 2017 baseline levels.
- Urban Forestry & Nature-Based Solutions
- Initiatives like Nagar Van Yojana promote urban green cover to mitigate heat and enhance carbon sequestration.
- Green Urban Mobility Initiatives
- Under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and FAME Scheme, cities are shifting toward electric and public transport systems.
Conclusion
As the Delhi Declaration journeys “From Bharat to Belém,” it carries the united message of cities seeking recognition as equal partners in shaping global climate decisions. The ARISE Cities Forum 2025 thus stands as a turning point for urban resilience, showcasing that the path to a sustainable, climate-secure future begins in cities themselves.
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Drishti Mains Question: Q. Discuss the significance of Urban Climate Governance in achieving India’s sustainable development and climate resilience goals.” |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Delhi Declaration 2025?
It’s a collective statement from Global South cities promoting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban climate action ahead of COP30.
2. Who organised the ARISE Cities Forum 2025?
The forum was co-hosted by ICLEI South Asia and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
3. What is Urban Climate Governance?
It refers to city-level systems, policies, and collaborations managing mitigation, adaptation, and resilience to climate change.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Question (PYQs)
Prelims:
Q. With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? (2017)
- UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.
- Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.
- UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only
Ans: (b)
Q. Consider the following statements: (2011)
- In India, a Metropolitan Planning Committee
- is constituted under the provisions of the Constitution of India.
- prepares the draft development plans for metropolitan area.
- has the sole responsibility for implementing Government sponsored schemes in the metropolitan area.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (a)
Mains:
Q. The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (2016)
Q. Do government schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economies? (2014)
Q. With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.’ (2016)
