The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain 2.0 (CITIIS 2.0) program. This initiative aims to support projects that promote the circular economy, focusing on integrated waste management at the city level, climate-oriented reform actions at the state level, and institutional strengthening and knowledge dissemination at the national level. CITIIS 2.0 is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the French Development Agency (AFD), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), the European Union (EU), and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). The program will be implemented over a four-year period, from 2023 to 2027.
Component 1: Building Climate Resilience in Smart Cities
Under this component, financial and technical support will be provided to develop projects focused on enhancing climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation in up to 18 smart cities. These projects will contribute to reducing the environmental impact and increasing the sustainability of urban areas. Some potential areas of focus include renewable energy integration, energy-efficient infrastructure, and sustainable transportation systems. By implementing these projects, the cities will become better prepared to tackle climate change challenges.
Component 2: Strengthening Climate Governance at the State and City Levels
In this component, all states and union territories (UTs) will receive support to establish state climate centers, create climate data observatories at the state and city levels, and facilitate climate-data-driven planning. Additionally, capacity-building initiatives will be undertaken to enhance the skills and knowledge of municipal functionaries. This component aims to empower states and cities with the tools and information necessary for effective climate action planning and implementation.
Component 3: Institutional Strengthening for Climate Governance
The third component of CITIIS 2.0 focuses on strengthening climate governance at all levels, including the center, state, and city. This will involve enhancing institutional capacities, improving coordination mechanisms, and promoting effective policy frameworks. By bolstering climate governance, India aims to create an enabling environment for sustainable urban development and climate-friendly policies.
Significance of CITIIS 2.0:
- Complementing National Programs: CITIIS 2.0 will complement the ongoing national programs of the Government of India, such as the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, AMRUT 2.0, Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, and Smart Cities Mission. By aligning with these initiatives, CITIIS 2.0 will synergize efforts and maximize the impact of climate actions across the country.
- Meeting International Commitments: India has made commitments under the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and the Conference of the Parties (COP26) agreements. CITIIS 2.0 will contribute positively towards achieving these commitments by focusing on sustainable urban development, climate resilience, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Important Points:
- Objective: Promoting circular economy and integrated waste management 🔄♻️, climate-oriented reform actions 🌍🌱, and institutional strengthening and knowledge dissemination 🏛️💡.
- Funding: Loan of Rs.1760 crore (EUR 200 million) from AFD and KfW 💰💼, and technical assistance grant of Rs.106 cr. (EUR 12 million) from the EU 💰🌐.
- Agencies involved: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) 🏘️🏢, French Development Agency (AFD) 🇫🇷, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) 🇩🇪, European Union (EU) 🇪🇺, and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) 🏢🌍.
- Duration: Four-year program from 2023 to 2027 ⏳.
- Components:
- Component 1: Building climate resilience in up to 18 smart cities 🌆🌱.
- Component 2: State and city-level climate data observatories and capacity-building initiatives 📊🏙️💪.
- Component 3: Strengthening climate governance at the center, state, and city levels 🏛️🌍🏙️.
- Significance:
- Complements national programs (National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, AMRUT 2.0, Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, and Smart Cities Mission) 🇮🇳🔄.
- Contributes to India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and COP26 commitments 🌍✅.
Why In News
The Union Cabinet, recognizing the need for further urban development, has granted approval for the implementation of the enhanced City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain 2.0 (CITIIS 2.0) initiative. This comprehensive program aims to foster sustainable growth by promoting innovative solutions and integrating various sectors to build resilient and future-ready cities across the country.
MCQs about CITIIS 2.0 Revolutionizes India’s Cities
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Which objective does the CITIIS 2.0 program primarily aim to achieve?
A. Promoting renewable energy in smart cities
B. Enhancing climate resilience and adaptation
C. Implementing smart transportation systems
D. Strengthening rural development initiatives
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Which agencies are involved in the CITIIS 2.0 program?
A. Ministry of Finance, World Bank, and United Nations
B. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, French Development Agency, and European Union
C. Ministry of Environment, United Nations Development Programme, and World Economic Forum
D. Ministry of Education, International Monetary Fund, and United Nations
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What is the significance of CITIIS 2.0 in relation to India’s commitments?
A. Supporting India’s efforts in space exploration
B. Contributing to India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and COP26 commitments
C. Promoting indigenous cultural heritage preservation
D. Enhancing agricultural productivity in rural areas
