Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav Participates in COP28

By Sudhir Gore, November 28, 2023

Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav from Indore joined the Subnational Climate Action Leaders’ Exchange at COP28 and shared the actions Indore is taking to cut methane.

The World Climate Action Summit is the High-Level Segment of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). COP28 is being held from 28 November to 12 December 2023 under the Presidency of the UAE and serves as the paramount decision-making body globally for addressing climate issues.

Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav will also attend a high-level event titled Advancing Ambitious Multi-Level Climate Action during the inaugural Local Climate Action Summit at COP28, on behalf of the United States and the implementing partners of the Subnational Climate Action Leaders’ Exchange (SCALE) initiative. Hosted jointly by the COP28 Presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Summit aims to convene hundreds of national and subnational climate leaders. The objective is to revolutionize climate finance, bolster global action, expedite the energy transition, and fortify resilience and adaptation efforts at the local level.

During the event, there will be a panel discussion featuring forward-leaning cities and states from around the world. The mayors and governors of these jurisdictions will be present in Dubai, highlighting their ambitious climate commitments and actions across various sectors.

Mayor Bhargav said he "will speak at COP28 about Indore's existing climate targets and how we are implementing them through partnerships and collaboration. This will include the partnership and coalition-building approach we are employing to reduce air pollution through the Clean Air Catalyst program."

Indore, acknowledged as India's "Best Smart City," has made notable strides in areas such as air quality improvement, cleanliness, and water management. Mayor Bhargav, who will share Indore's successes and experiences at the Local Climate Action Summit, is set to bring the city's name into the global spotlight.

In the past year, Bhargav addressed the COP27 Climate Conference held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, joining a panel discussion through an online platform, shedding light on Indore's proactive efforts. Recently, in response to the issue of air pollution, Bhargav successfully organized a "No Car Day" event and actively promoted the "Red Light On, Engine Off" campaign at intersections to reduce vehicular emissions. He has been a strong advocate for eliminating wood-coal burning stoves in hotels and eateries, encouraging citizens to enhance green cover through tree planting, actively participating in air quality improvement initiatives, and inspiring citizens to adopt environmentally conscious practices during festivals.

During COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Modi announced five specific targets, titled "Panchamrit," as India's contribution to climate action. Additionally, he introduced the Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE). Climate change has been a significant priority area during India's G20 Presidency, with substantial new measures outlined in the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration and other outcomes achieved during its Presidency, and COP28 will provide an opportunity to build on these successes.