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Chennai to combat extreme heat with UN’s urban cooling programme

The Greater Chennai Corporation is all set to launch the urban cooling programme to implement initiatives that’d reduce the overall temperature of the metropolis and combat extreme heat.

Chennai to combat extreme heat with UN’s urban cooling programme
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Greater Chennai Corporation

CHENNAI: The programme, a part of the United Nations Environment Programme, will be implemented and executed by the GCC and Asian Development Bank along with Global Environmental Facility. “It’s in the preliminary consultation stages,” said a senior Chennai Corporation official.

It is learnt that GCC met officials of the UN Environment Programme on Tuesday. Under the programme, the civic body would encourage heat-resilient urban design and infrastructure, energy-efficient and thermally efficient buildings, and other similar aspects.

The initiative, which will be implemented across several departments, will focus on green projects like creation of green spaces, reduction of carbon footprint, and reduction in the requirement for ACs by finding passive cooling solutions.

The UN programme has released a handbook on urban cooling methods during the planning stages that cities across the globe can incorporate.

During the first phase of the programme, the GCC would prepare an action plan that includes representation from non-governmental stakeholders and establish strategic goals and actionable targets. Reducing power consumption and the requirement for ACs in buildings are also a part of the initiative.

As per the handbook, emphasis will be given to the most vulnerable communities, which would ensure equitable access to cooling cities. The handbook also pointed out that higher temperatures in urban areas than the rural areas result in extreme climate conditions by creating heat islands.

It may be noted that the civic body had recently commenced the construction of green building inside the Ripon Building premises by using natural lighting, low water consumption and reducing the usage of ACs.

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