Bengaluru, Mumbai and Ahmedabad join global ‘Cool Cities’ drive to tackle rising heat

Three Indian cities partner with 30 others worldwide under the Cool Cities Accelerator to protect residents and redesign urban spaces for a hotter future.

As Indian cities face record-breaking heat, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Ahmedabad have joined a global coalition of 33 major cities to combat one of the most serious effects of climate change,  extreme urban heat.

The partnership, called the Cool Cities Accelerator, was announced at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It aims to help cities protect residents, sustain local economies, and redesign urban spaces to withstand rising temperatures. The coalition represents over 145 million people across cities like Austin, Boston, Buenos Aires, Freetown, London, Nairobi, Phoenix, Paris, Singapore and others, all committed to transforming their cities for a hotter planet by 2030.

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The initiative is supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, along with partners such as the ClimateWorks Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Z Zurich Foundation, and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Extreme heat is already the deadliest weather-related hazard globally, claiming nearly half a million lives every year. Experts warn that without urgent action, the number of people exposed to life-threatening heat could increase five times by 2050. Most of these deaths are preventable through timely cooling, hydration, medical care, and better infrastructure. Vulnerable groups such as elderly citizens, outdoor workers, and those without access to cooling systems face the highest risk.

The Cool Cities Accelerator offers a practical and science-based framework for action. Cities will collaborate and share knowledge to:

•    Build early warning systems for heat emergencies.
•    Ensure access to cooling centres and medical aid during extreme temperatures.
•    Establish clear leadership for heat management within two years.
•    Over five years, cities will work to expand urban tree cover, improve building standards, and modernise infrastructure to adapt to rising temperatures.

To support this mission, The Rockefeller Foundation has announced a $1 million grant to help set heat adaptation targets and provide technical guidance for implementing sustainable cooling measures.

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By joining this global initiative, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Ahmedabad have taken a significant step toward safeguarding their citizens and making their cities more resilient against the growing climate crisis.