This project aims at capacity building within the climatically vulnerable region of Assam, India, with a specific focus on empowering urban planners and forest officials. The region’s susceptibility to climate change poses unprecedented challenges, necessitating a comprehensive and collaborative approach to integrate climate and biodiversity priorities into urban planning. Urban planners play a pivotal role in shaping the built environment, directly influencing climate resilience, while forest officials are guardians of vital ecosystems that contribute to climate regulation and biodiversity. About 40% of Assam’s land area is prone to floods causing an average annual loss of INR 2000 million (24 million USD). Mitigating risk of floods requires addressing forest landscape degradation. Therefore, bridging the gap between forest and urban planners is paramount for effective climate adaptation and averting loss and damage. The study employs a multi-stakeholder approach, involving governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and academia to foster collaboration between them to implement activities that lead to resilient infrastructure and conservation strategies. Training programs and workshops will facilitate co-designing tools for mainstreaming climate and biodiversity into urban planning, and to foster development pathways that align urbanization goals with forest conservation and societal well-being. Lessons learned from Assam can be scaled up for other similar regions.
Project • CBA2024-04SY-Gupta