The zero-carbon buildings accelerator initiative works towards converting all buildings to 'net zero' status by 2050
Nagpur is making great strides towards sustainability by laying the groundwork for energy-efficient housing and comprehensive energy audits under the Building Energy Accelerator project.
The city has joined the Zero Carbon Buildings Accelerator initiative, which aims to convert all buildings to 'Net Zero' status by 2050. This forward-thinking roadmap is not just about reducing greenhouse gas emissions; it's a holistic approach that considers the lifecycle of building materials, from construction to deconstruction, ensuring that every phase is environmentally conscious.
To turn this vision into reality, critical local bodies and international organisations gathered in Nagpur for a pivotal stakeholder consultation meeting. This gathering was a melting pot of ideas, with contributions from city officials, experts, and industry stakeholders focused on shaping a future where buildings are sustainable entities rather than just structures. The commitment to pilot projects, policy actions, and the development of clear, climate-adapted guidelines underscores Nagpur's dedication to creating a built environment harmonising with nature and setting a benchmark for cities worldwide.
Ahmedabad, an Indian city, has pioneered financing climate-resilient urban development by issuing municipal bonds. The city's successful issuance of these bonds has demonstrated the great potential of this financial tool in supporting sustainable infrastructure projects. Ahmedabad's robust credit rating, which depends on the city's operational performance, financial health, and robust governance, has been critical in attracting investors and securing funds for transformative urban projects.
The city's strategic use of municipal bonds, supported by the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), has set a precedent in India for market-based fundraising. This approach enhances urban development and promotes transparency and financial performance.
With the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) easing regulations and opening doors for foreign portfolio investments, Ahmedabad's green projects like waste management and water supply initiatives are well on their way to fruition, marking a significant step towards a net-zero emissions world.
Hunter New England Health, the most significant health service and employer in its region with an extensive network of facilities and a $2.5 billion budget, is leading Australia's healthcare sector in tackling climate change. The organisation has set an ambitious vision to become carbon and waste-neutral by 2030, recognising that it is the largest emitter among government agencies, contributing to seven percent of the nation's CO2 emissions.
Hunter New England Health focuses on sustainable purchasing practises to drive market change and actively engages the community through its website, articles, and videos. The organisation has established clear sustainability goals with specific timelines and performance measures, including annual targets. They are committed to transparency, regularly collecting and reporting data on their processes.
Governance at Hunter New England Health now focuses on sustainability, rewarding excellence in this area, and fostering communities of interest where like-minded individuals and organisations can collaborate. Leadership roles now encompass sustainability titles, reflecting the importance of this initiative.
The health service has identified six critical areas for improvement: energy, water, transport, infrastructure, procurement, and waste, with dedicated projects for each. They aimed to reduce emissions by twenty percent within two years, starting from a 2020 baseline of 105,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Impressively, they surpassed this goal, achieving a 24 percent reduction by 2022.
In water conservation, they aimed to capture twenty percent of rainwater by 2022 and exceeded this target by twenty-nine percent. Their recycling and water reuse efforts also beat targets, with a 23 percent increase compared to the baseline goal of 20 percent.
However, waste management, particularly reducing landfill waste, remains a challenge. Despite aiming for a twenty percent reduction by 2022, they achieved a fourteen percent decrease. Nevertheless, they have installed the world's largest solar panel system across their facilities, saving 2,844,625 kilogrammes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting 55,000 trees.
New Zealand Superfund, a Paris-Aligned Asset Owners (PAAO) member, has worked closely with the Treasury and other Crown Financial Institutions (CFIs) to develop the Crown Responsible Investment Framework.
This framework includes a commitment to reporting against standard carbon metrics. NZ Superfund has reported on progress against its commitments in detail through its 2022 Climate Change Report and has signed the 2022 Global Investor Statement to Governments on the Climate Crisis.
Achieving the goal of joining the PAAO and committing to net zero emissions by 2050 requires a comprehensive approach. This includes setting up clear interim targets for 2030, which aim to reduce scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in investment portfolios, increasing investments in climate-friendly solutions, and using offsets only when necessary.
Additionally, it involves advocating for policies that support net zero objectives, engaging with stakeholders across the investment chain to align services and products with these goals, and reducing operational emissions.
Transparency is crucial, with plans to disclose targets and progress annually guided by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations.