Updating the Citywide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory and Building In-House Capacity for Chennai Metropolitan Area

‍

Project Overview
‍

C40 Cities, a global network of nearly 100 mayors from the world’s leading cities, is spearheading efforts to address the climate crisis. The mayors are committed to an inclusive, science-based, and collaborative approach to halve emissions by 2030 and limit global heating to 1.5°C, while building healthy, equitable, and resilient communities. To support these goals in Chennai (Tamil Nadu, India), C40 Cities has initiated a study to update the citywide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory using the CIRIS tool and build in-house capacity for inventory management across the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA).

‍

Impact
‍

This study will play a critical role in Chennai’s efforts to develop a climate-resilient future. The GHG emissions inventory will focus on three key sectors: waste, energy, and transport, providing a comprehensive overview of emissions in the CMA and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). The findings will contribute to the city’s Third Master Plan, currently being developed by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), ensuring that the plan incorporates robust climate action strategies. The study is expected to conclude by September 2024, laying the groundwork for long-term climate resilience in the region.

‍

Athena's Role

‍
Athena is leading the detailed GHG emissions inventory as part of the project. Our responsibilities include:

• Establishing baseline data collection processes
• Building the capacity of key stakeholders in inventory management
• Determining GHG emissions for the CMA and GCC across waste, energy, and transport sectors
• Developing an inventory management plan to ensure long-term sustainability

‍

To know more about the project, reach out to Dr. Rajesh Khanna and Sairam Muthuswamy.

‍

‍Note: Image is for representational purposes only.