Archive · 5 Sep 2025
Bhubaneswar Pioneers Integrated Plan to Combat Rising Heat
Imagine the city is getting hotter and people need air conditioning more.
This makes things worse because ACs use energy that adds to the heat.
Bhubaneswar, India, has a plan to stop this cycle.
They want to make the city cooler by planting trees and changing how buildings are made.
They will also make sure everyone can afford cooling and help people deal with the heat.
This plan could lower temperatures and help the city use less energy for cooling, making it safer and more comfortable for everyone.
Bhubaneswar released India's first city-level Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan (IHCAP).
The IHCAP addresses rising heat stress and increasing air conditioning use.
The city's built-up area grew, while vegetation and water bodies decreased.
AC ownership doubled from 2021 to 2023, now consuming a third of the city's electricity.
The plan includes cooling measures and aims to reduce cooling-related electricity demand.
- Who
- Bhubaneswar city officials and iFOREST
- What
- Released the Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan to tackle rising heat and cooling demands
- When
- September 2, 2024
- Where
- Bhubaneswar, India
- Why
- To break the cycle of heat and cooling, and address rising heat stress.
- City
- Bhubaneswar, India
- Plan Name
- Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan (IHCAP)
- Focus
- Rising heat stress and increased cooling demand
- Key Strategy
- Five-pillar plan: cool city, buildings, sustainable cooling, heat resilience, and adaptation
- AC Ownership Increase
- Doubled in two years (2021-2023)
- Impact
- 8.6% annual income lost to heat stress
- Potential Reduction
- Cooling electricity demand by 44-67%