Pune Municipal Corporation shortlisted as a finalist for the 2022 C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards

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Pune, 19 August, 2022— Today, the city of Pune is proud to announce that it has been selected as a finalist in the 2022 C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards in the United to clean the air we breathe category, in recognition of its work on Pioneering Electrification of Public Bus Transport in the Pune Metropolitan Area.

 

Electrification of public transport is a critical aspect of decarbonising urban mobility in India and globally. As a leading early adopter of e-buses, the electrification of Pune’s public bus transport system is an example that several cities in the global South can emulate.E-buses offer many value propositions to cities: they are more efficient, more reliable, cleaner, quieter, and increasingly cost competitive.

 

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Each year, Pune’s transport sector emits an estimated 1.1 million metric tons of CO2—about one-fifth of the city’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Vehicular emissions contribute to about 25% of the city’s particulate matter (PM) emissions, which, on average, exceed international guidelines.

 

The use of e-buses by Pune is expected to reduce the city’s GHG emissions drastically. Pune’s public bus transport system will have a fleet of 650 electric buses by the end of 2022. Furthermore, PMC also plans to procure 300 mini electric buses which will provide feeder services to the city’s growing metro network and improve the first and last mile connectivity in the Pune Metropolitan Region. The net CO2 emission reduction due to these e-buses over their lifetime is expected to be equivalent to lifetime CO2 emissions of nearly 3,000 petrol-fuelled cars.

 

The awards celebrate the most ambitious and impactful projects spearheaded by mayors from around the world to tackle the climate crisis. The awards focus on five categories that align with this year’s theme, United in Action:

 

United to accelerate immediate action in critical sectors

United to clean the air we breathe

United in building climate resilience

United to innovate

United in building a climate movement

 

The choice by awards organisers to shortlist this project as a finalist is a testament to Pune’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis. Pune is proud to be part of this cohort of dynamic cities that illustrate what leadership looks like in building an innovative, resilient, and inclusive future.

 

“I am delighted that our commitment towards making our city more liveable is being recognised by C40 and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Electrification of public transport is a critical aspect of decarbonising urban mobility, and, Pune has set an example for other cities by operating one of the largest municipal e-bus fleets in India. Maharashtra state’s Electric Vehicle Policy recommends electrifying 25% of public transport fleet by 2025 and the city of Pune is on track to achieve this target in 2022 itself, more than two years ahead of schedule. We have been working hard to meet our climate goals in ways that it improves livelihoods and boosts public health. We look forward to continuing this important work in the days ahead and make Pune the pioneer of sustainable mobility in the country” said Mr. Vikram Kumar, Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation.

 

The winners of the 2022 C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards will be announced at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires this October.

 

“Congratulations to all of the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards finalists on your bold and innovative project submissions,” said Sadiq Khan, Chair of C40 Cities and Mayor of London. “Cities, local leaders and mayors are leading the way when it comes to tackling the climate emergency and by harnessing their ambition and vision, we can help cities around the world become greener, fairer and more sustainable.”

 

“The C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards celebrate a diverse set of local actions that are making a strong impact on the world around us,” said C40 Executive Director Mark Watts. “This year’s finalists are helping to advance inclusive climate actions that benefit all city residents equitably. Six of the shortlisted projects are based in Latin America, underscoring the region’s incredible climate leadership that will be on further display later this year at the C40 World Mayors Summit.”

 

“Innovative solutions to climate change are coming from bold and pragmatic mayors across the world, and it’s important to celebrate their successes,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, C40 Board President, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions, and Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “This year’s finalists are leading from the front, and if more public officials – at all levels – emulate their approach, we can improve public health, create jobs, and win the fight against climate change.”

 

“On behalf of the jury, I am pleased to congratulate this year’s C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards finalists on their climate achievements and leadership,” said Jennifer Musisi, lawyer, public administrator, City Leader in Residence at Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, and C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards juror. “It is inspiring to see so many cities making smart investments in climate action and we look forward to selecting the winners. The jury applauds C40 and Bloomberg Philanthropies for acknowledging climate leadership that will encourage decision-makers around the world to take actions to address the climate crisis.”

 

For more information on the awards and the projects of the finalist cities, please visit www.c40.org/awards or contact [email protected].

 

 

 

 

 

About C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group

 

C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities who are working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Through aGlobal Green New Deal, mayors are working alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to go further and faster than ever before.

 

The current Chair of C40 is Mayor of London Sadiq Khan; three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the Board. C40’s work is made possible by our three strategic funders: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Realdania.