ClimACT-Chennai
A climate-safe Chennai, built by its people, for its people.
From risk to resilience — starting at the neighbourhood level
Forecasts for the next 2 decades
What it means for India
30%
Productivity loss due to heat
$80B
Climate losses in India
200%
Increase in extreme events
95%
Coastal districts at risk
India is estimated to have suffered losses of almost USD 80 billion due to extreme climate events in the last two
decades. The frequency and intensity of extreme events in India have increased by almost 200% since 2005.
Sources: McKinsey Global Institute – Climate Risk & Response 2020. CEEW – Mapping India’s climate vulnerability 2021
Chennai is already living the climate crisis
120
settlements at flood risk
6.4 mm
rainfall decline
47%
wetlands lost
37%
coastline erosion
What is ClimACT?
ClimACT is a people-led climate action platform working at the neighbourhood level. It identifies local risks, co-develops solutions, and connects community insights to city-level planning.
What we do
Map Risk
Map Risk
Enable Transition
Why ClimACT is different?
People-led, not top-down
Works at neighbourhood level
Combines data + lived experience
Connects communities with policy
Focus on practical solutions
Understand and document Chennai through the lens of climate change. We look at the social, economic, environmental landscapes, demand for resources, critical systems and infrastructure that drive the city
Provide an integrated view into the city’s vulnerability and adaptative capacity that takes into account bio-physical, socio-economic and institutional aspects. Learn from frameworks created by credible institutions and apply it to Chennai
Identify ways for decarbonizing Chennai. Include a comprehensive strategy for efficient management of water, energy, waste and transportation. Identification of solution providers and a feasible implementation model.
Evaluate the city development masterplans, and detailed development plans for smaller pockets of area within. Examine the spatial/temporal concerns, and the underlying principles of sustainability, equity, liveability and resilience.
Study and document the work of other organizations working on climate change, find participatory models of planning, governance and collaboration by the local communities, NGOs, civil society. Research on similar successful initiatives across the world’s cities.
Define a comprehensive and actionable outreach plan to bring awareness and participation from all sections of the public, governments, industry, academia, media, and other solution providers. Create a framework for collaborative action.