Talking Transformations

The Taj Mahal, Bollywood, and a cricket powerhouse. India means many things to many people. It is also a country of some 1.3 billion people where mitigation and adaptation to climate change is rising up the agenda. In this episode, we discuss transformative urban action in the City of Pune in India. We interview Kunal Kumar who is Additional Municipal Commissioner from the Pune Municipal Corporation in India. He focuses on how the City of Pune is working with transport and in particular public transport and electrification of transport.

What is Talking Transformations?

Research shows conversations matter - both for learning and inspiring action. In this new podcast collection, we are 'Talking Transformations' with thought leaders from government, industry, and academia. Our mission is to discuss current trends in science, technology, governance, and behaviours to transform our society and economy towards sustainability. 'Talking Transformations' is produced by the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University. We release a mini-series several times a year, consisting of a bundle of episodes around a common theme. Our inaugural mini-series focuses on cities, climate, and change. Also, check out our regular long-form podcast 'Advancing Sustainable Solutions'.

[00:00:13.090] - Kes McCormick
You�re listening to a mini-series that explores cities, climate, and change� part of a new podcast collection called Talking Transformations produced by the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University. My name is Kes McCormick, and in this mini-series, I�ll guide you through a collection of interviews, recorded at the ICLEI World Congress, hosted in Malm�, Sweden during May 2022.� We�ll explore the dynamics of transformation in cities responding to climate change. We�ll meet influential change-makers from a range of organisations including the World Resources Institute, the European Commission and ICLEI.� And, through our discussions, I hope to share knowledge, examples, and inspiration relevant to you in your city, as we ask� �What next for cities?�

[00:01:01.290] � Kunal Kumar
I'm Dr. Kunal Kumarr from India. I am the Municipal Commissioner from Pune Municipal Corporation. It is one of the largest urban agglomeration. So PMC is one of the largest corporations, 7th largest to be specific, in India.

[00:01:20.970] � Kes McCormick
So it's pretty big. I can imagine that's a lot of people if it's big in India. In the context of India, what role do you think cities can play in relation to climate action?

[00:01:33.690] � Kunal Kumar
Cities in India, especially Pune City, has always been one of the most progressive and forward thinking city in terms of environment, sustainability, action to talk about mitigation and adaptation in context of climate change. As a city, we have already committed ourselves to the Paris agreement and also carbon neutrality and race towards zero. So I think cities it is high time that cities late development should happen and cities have a very big role in this fight against climate change. So I think yes, even in India, all cities have started to take this lead, started to commit themselves to these national determined commitments towards SDGs and make their budget, their plans and their programs according to this.

[00:02:25.950] � Kes McCormick
Wow. I mean you've already named several kinds of commitments and even initiatives, but is there a specific initiative that excites you in Pune around climate change and cities?

[00:02:37.230] � Kunal Kumar
We prepared the Pune City resilience strategy back in 2019 and we identified three pillars in our action. One of the pillar was to have equitable and inclusive growth, integrated growth. Under that pillar we had many targets, many actions and some programs. So one of the program is about e-mobility trying to reduce our emissions as well as particulate matter to half our air pollution. We have started our public transport more and more on electric mobility. So Pune has one of the first electric vehicle readiness city. We have established our EV cell. We have unveiled our EV readiness plan also. And our public transport has already included more than 300 electric buses. By this month in we are going to have more than 650 electric buses and more 300 electric buses are also in the pipeline. So I think that's one of the major initiatives which we have taken. I think we have one of the largest E buses fleet in India and maybe in Asia also. And accordingly, we are also planning EV readiness, EV infrastructure in the city. So that's one of the key project which we have taken in Pune City.

[00:04:04.910] � Kes McCormick
Yeah, look, I mean it's an enormous initiative and around transport and public transport and electrification of transport, it's really a very important shift we need to see when we're responding to climate change. When you think or you look at other cities around the world, is there a city around the world that inspires you in relation to climate action and why does it inspire you?

[00:04:25.590] � Kunal Kumar
Frankly, I have not been to many cities, but as now I'm sitting here in Malmo and I think I'm greatly influenced by Sweden and Malmo in particular. I have visited the city for last two days. The kind of urban space designing it has done, the non-motorist transport it has promoted citizens, have adopted it wholeheartedly and just transition it has made from labor intensive city to I think one of the ICT now and future technology city. So I think this city has inspired me a lot in the future also, I'd like to see many such cities and definitely India and Pune will be inspired by these kind of cities, their actions. And we'll be also like to be one of the lighthouse and pioneers in this regard.

[00:05:23.670] � Kes McCormick
Yeah, absolutely. Look, I mean, Malmo is a great example. It is a city that has undergone an enormous transformation like you described, and I think that is a key part of its journey and one of the inspirations and kind of learning lessons we can gain from Malibu. Just finally, if you had a chance to speak to a national policymaker, let's say in India or a big multinational company, what kind of support would you ask for cities or for puna working on climate change?

[00:05:50.370] � Kunal Kumar
Specifically speaking about support regarding Pune city, I'd say that we need more technology and technical guidance on our rejuvenation of our water bodies, our rivers. In that context, and even being one of the largest urban local body, we still have issues about financing this project. So definitely technical guidance as well as finance is what we expect from national government as well as international institutes.

[00:06:21.510] � Kes McCormick
Look, thank you so much for being here today and sharing insights from India and Pune. As you said, it's such an important country for the transition to a climate friendly future. Thank you so much. Thank you.

[00:06:32.480] � Kunal Kumar
Thank you so much.

[00:06:46.630] � Kes McCormick
Once again, we thank our guest for joining us on this episode of Talking Transformations, a new podcast collection by the IIIEE at Lund University.�In addition, we produce a monthly podcast called �Advancing Sustainable Solutions�, available wherever you listen to podcasts.�This mini-series is produced in collaboration with the podcast team of �Advancing Sustainable Solutions�, and supported by ICLEI and Viable Cities. ICLEI, also known as Local Governments for Sustainability, is a global network of more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Viable Cities is a strategic innovation program in Sweden focusing on the transition to climate-neutral and sustainable cities.�If you want to learn more about ongoing research and activities, visit our website at www.iiiee.lu.se. And, stay tuned for new episodes of Talking Transformations.