Nature-based Solutions Accelerator in Mumbai

To help the city achieve these mitigation and adaptation ambitions, the Nature-based Solutions Accelerator in Mumbai aims to pilot urban nature-based solutions, and further replicate and scale such solutions across the city. This Accelerator is a two-year initiative that facilitates collaboration between entrepreneurs, government, private sector, and experts to pilot urban nature-based solutions in Mumbai, including access to tailored technical and business support for a select cohort of entrepreneurs.

Opportunity

With a population of 21.3 million as of 2023, Mumbai’s rapid urbanization has pushed many to the margins, leaving many vulnerable to climate hazards and other natural disasters. In 2005, the city experienced flooding that killed 500 people and resulted in damage and economic losses estimated at almost US$2 billion. With consistent warming trends and surrounded by the sea on three sides, the city continues to be highly at risk to climate disruption.

To this end, the city government in Mumbai published the Mumbai Climate Action Plan in 2022, which set the 2050 net zero emission target for the city. The plan identifies neighborhoods across the city vulnerable to heat stress, flooding, air pollution, and other climate challenges, and lays out targets and strategies to strengthen the city’s climate resilience.  The city has also set a target to increase the city’s green cover by 30-40% by 2040.

Project Description

The Nature-Based Solutions Accelerator in Mumbai is anchored by WRI India in partnership with the City Government, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and selected educational institutes in the city.

Through this program, five groups working on urban nature-based solutions such as organic farming, waste-water treatment, groundwater recharge, and ecological restoration of waterbodies, were selected after an open call for application and rigorous selection process. These groups are now demonstrating their solutions in select pilot site locations across educational institutes in Mumbai, under the BMC, the University of Mumbai, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, as pilot partners for the lab. The accelerator is also facilitating capacity-building within the groups providing these solutions through tailored mentorship and technical support to refine and evolve business models, enabling potential to scale up their solutions.