Promoting Low Carbon Transport in India - Low Carbon City: A Guidebook for City Planners and Practitioners

This guidebook provides an overview of integrating low carbon development into urban planning, particularly in rapidly growing cities. It explains the scientific basis of climate change, global mitigation targets, and emission pathways consistent with limiting temperature rise to two degrees Celsius. The document examines national development trends in India, including demographic change, economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and energy demand, and analyses their implications for urban emissions. It outlines scenario-based planning methods to estimate future energy use and emissions across sectors such as transport, buildings, industry, and waste. The guidebook also presents policy frameworks, indicators, and modelling approaches that support city planners in aligning urban development strategies with national climate objectives while considering mitigation, adaptation, and associated co-benefits.