$1M Rockefeller grant for Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru in Cool Cities push

New Delhi: Three Indian cities, namely Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru, have joined a global coalition of 33 metropolises committed to redesigning urban spaces and protecting residents from extreme heat, one of the most pressing consequences of climate change, according to an official statement.

The cities are participating in the Cool Cities Accelerator, a new initiative led by C40 Cities with support from The Rockefeller Foundation. The programme was launched on the opening day of the C40 World Mayors Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It seeks to help city leaders implement both immediate and long-term strategies to shield people, economies and infrastructure from rising temperatures.

The coalition’s 33 founding cities, home to more than 145 million people, include major global centres such as London, Paris, Singapore, Nairobi and Buenos Aires. Each city has pledged to take concrete action by 2030 to enhance resilience to extreme heat.

Extreme heat is now the world’s deadliest weather-related hazard, claiming almost half a million lives every year. Experts have warned that, without urgent intervention, the number of people exposed to dangerous urban heat could increase fivefold by 2050.

“The vast majority of deaths caused by extreme heat are preventable through timely access to cooling, hydration, medical care, and public health interventions,” the statement noted, stressing the need to protect vulnerable groups such as the elderly, outdoor workers, and those without access to air conditioning.

Under the Accelerator, cities will implement a science-based framework to strengthen heat resilience. In the next two years, participating cities will be encouraged to establish leadership on heat response, enhance early warning systems, and ensure access to cooling during emergencies. Over a five-year period, they will focus on improving building standards, expanding tree cover, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.

The initiative also supports the UN Secretary-General’s call to action on extreme heat and aligns with the COP30 “Beat the Heat” agenda, which promotes the local adoption of sustainable cooling solutions.

“Extreme heat is no longer a distant threat — it's a daily reality affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions around the world,” said Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “Through the Cool Cities Accelerator, we're proud to support mayors investing in bold, science-based solutions to future-proof health systems and build a cooler, safer future for all.”

C40 Executive Director Mark Watts highlighted the growing urgency of the issue, noting that the number of days exceeding 35°C in major capitals has risen by 54% in the past two decades. “Cities are showing real leadership by taking practical steps to protect communities and create more liveable urban environments,” he said.

The Rockefeller Foundation is providing a grant of around USD 1 million to develop heat adaptation targets and offer technical assistance to cities implementing cooling solutions.

By joining the Accelerator, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru will gain access to technical expertise and shared knowledge from other participating cities, including Athens, Austin, Durban, Freetown, Jakarta, London, Milan, Nairobi, New York City and Rio de Janeiro, the statement added.

PTI