Maharashtra, India’s second most urbanized state, faces growing challenges from climate change, urban air pollution and environmental degradation. Rising temperatures, poor air quality and water stress are increasingly affecting livelihoods, public health and infrastructure — especially in cities.

In response, the Department of Environment and Climate Change (EnvCC), Government of Maharashtra, in collaboration with WRI India, C40 Cities and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), launched a first-of-its-kind Climate Accelerator Program. This initiative is part of Climate Forward Maharashtra, with the goal of advancing low-carbon, inclusive and climate-resilient growth across 43 AMRUT cities.

About the Initiative 

 Accelerating Climate Action in 43 Maharashtra Cities is designed to:

  • Equip cities with the tools, training and guidance to integrate climate considerations into local governance
  • Enable the development of city-level climate and clean air action plans
  • Support the design and implementation of pilot projects focused on climate mitigation and adaptation
  • Facilitate access to innovative financing mechanisms to scale impactful urban solutions

Through this initiative, cities are empowered to align with India’s Net Zero by 2070 target while addressing local challenges through data-driven, community-informed and finance-ready approaches. 

How the Program Works 

The initiative is delivered through a structured three-module approach:

  • Capacity Building & Mentorship: Training city officials and technical staff through workshops and one-on one mentoring to institutionalize climate-responsive decision-making.
  • Demonstration Projects: Supporting on-ground implementation of low-carbon and resilience focused pilot projects tailored to local priorities.
  • Financing for Action: Enabling access to climate finance by identifying innovative funding mechanisms and strengthening cities’ ability to mobilize investments. 

Milestones & Updates 

  • The program was launched in May 2023, formalized through a Letter of Intent between Environment and Climate Change Department, WRI India and C40 Cities.
  • In August 2024, all 43 AMRUT cities participated in a flagship workshop focused on implementing climate and clean air action plans - a major step in aligning city-level action with the state’s climate goals.
  • This initiative complements other Maharashtra-led efforts, including the state’s Decarbonization Roadmap for Energy and Buildings and the development of city-level Climate Action Plans for cities like Mumbai, Solapur, Aurangabad and Nashik.

Explore More About This Work 

To learn more about Maharashtra’s city-level climate transformation journey and recent updates, read: