Institutional Leadership in Urban Climate Action

India’s urban centres increasingly face complex climate challenges—rising temperatures, extreme weather, water scarcity, and socio-economic vulnerabilities—that require urgent, coordinated government leadership. Along with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as the key actors, effective climate action at the urban level demands collaboration across multiple government tiers and agencies, including state climate departments, urban development authorities, municipal corporations, and specialised infrastructure bodies.

The Institutional Leadership in Urban Climate Action award recognises visionary and impactful initiatives led by institutions actively advancing climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience within the urban geographies. This category celebrates institutions that embed climate priorities into urban planning, governance, and implementation, overcoming administrative silos to deliver sustainable and equitable urban futures.

Eligible efforts encompass a wide range of institution-led climate action, including but not limited to:

• Development and deployment of innovative city projects and smart infrastructure initiatives, enhancing urban sustainability and resilience
• Implementation of sustainable roads, green mobility solutions, including public transport, non-motorised transport, and electric vehicle infrastructure
• Climate-responsive upgrades and operations of airports, ports, and other critical urban transport hubs
• Expansion and management of green infrastructure, urban green spaces, and nature-based climate solutions
• Climate-smart water and waste management systems
• Mobilisation of dedicated climate finance or budgets within government agencies and departments
• Institutional frameworks for multi-level government coordination of climate action, climate risk management, disaster preparedness, and community-inclusive resilience strategies.

Applicants may include urban local bodies, state and municipal government agencies, special-purpose vehicles, urban development authorities, and other government institutions responsible for leading climate action in urban or peri-urban contexts.

Applications should demonstrate:

• Use of research-driven approaches and evidence-based planning to design, implement, and scale effective urban climate solutions
• Strategic integration and prioritisation of climate goals within government urban programs and operations
• Innovative, scalable, and replicable government-led solutions
• Measurable environmental and social impacts or credible potential for such outcomes
• Effective mobilisation of government resources, partnerships, and institutional mechanisms to drive collaborative climate action
• Engagement with diverse community stakeholders to ensure inclusive and equitable outcomes