Indo-German Forum: Cities and Climate

The annual Indo-German Forum of the DWIH New Delhi, to be held in March 2021, will address the multifaceted topic of urbanisation and climate-change. The Forum will bring together about 35 scientists, decision-makers, and professionals from different disciplines mainly from India and Germany but also from Australia, the EU, South Africa, and South Asia, to present research projects and analysis on the relationship of cities and climate. Among other things, the Forum will address the questions of how cities adapt to climate-change and how urban settlements can minimise their environmental impacts.

Cities and Climate was the focus topic of the DWIH New Delhi in 2020.

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Time: 0830-1300 CET

Event Information

March 16, 2021, 1:00 PM to March 17, 2021, 5:30 PM

Online
Organizer(s): DWIH New Delhi

Video Recordings:

Welcome Address and Keynote

Welcome Address and Keynote

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Session 1.1: Climate science for cities

Session 1.1: Climate science for cities

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Session 1.2: Climate strategies for cities

Session 1.2: Climate strategies for cities

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Session 2.1: International Panel: Foresight 2050 for climate smart cities

Session 2.1: International Panel: Foresight 2050 for climate smart cities

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Session 2.2: Citizen involvement in policy and science

Session 2.2: Citizen involvement in policy and science

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Session 3.1: Urban water bodies and their management

Session 3.1: Urban water bodies and their management

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Session 3.2: Green buildings for today’s cities

Session 3.2: Green buildings for today’s cities

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Session 4.1: Air quality in cities

Session 4.1: Air quality in cities

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Session 4.2: Coastal cities and climate change

Session 4.2:  Coastal cities and climate change

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What's on offer?

The two-day event will offer insights from ongoing research projects and showcase practical initiatives in the field of Cities and Climate. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss challenges, exchange ideas, and network with experts and stakeholders mainly from India and Germany.

Virtual Fair | 0830-1300 CET | 1300-1730 IST

In addition to 8 live panel sessions, there will be a parallel virtual fair in the 2 Exhibition Halls.

  • Interact, via text and video chat, with the representatives of 25 international research institutions & funding organisations as they present insights into their research projects and initiatives on Cities and Climate.
  • View/download info-material, including videos, web-links to important information, digital publications etc.

Networking Lounge

  • View the profiles of the other participants.
  • Network with not just other participants, but also the organisers,  speakers, and other stakeholders of the Forum via public as well as private text chats and private video chat.
  • To make the most of the networking possibilities, please login to the platform and update your research/professional profile beforehand.
  • Save your chats and contacts in your virtual “briefcase” where they can be accessed later on.

Media Library

Interested in pursuing a research career in Germany? Find a dedicated media library where insights into the German research landscape await you!

Why cities and climate?

Cities and climate-change are interdependent. By 2050, urban population will increase by 2 billion people, and about 68 percent of the world population will be living in urban areas. Thus, a rapid growth of urban settlements and megacities is evident. One of the challenges arising from such rapid urbanisation is the amplifying impact of cities on climate-change. While globally, cities occupy only 3 percent of the Earth’s land, they account for 60 to 80 percent of energy consumption and at least 70 percent of carbon emissions, a number that is expected to grow further. In turn, cities are facing the consequences of climate-change, such as scarcity of water, vulnerability to extreme weather events, and warming of the cityscapes.

Two out of the 14 sustainable development goals (SDGs) formulated by the United Nations General Assembly address sustainable urban development and climate-change and call for immediate action. The enhancement of sustainable urbanisation, including integrated policies and action toward resource efficiency, adaptation to climate-change, and reduction of cities’ environmental impact is high on the political agenda. Germany and India have several projects in this regard as well and have recently announced a cooperation on green urban mobility in India.

Participating stakeholders