Mahindra World City Jaipur awarded C40 Climate Leadership Certification

Mahindra World City Jaipur, one of India’s premier integrated business cities recently became the first project in Asia to receive the prestigious Stage 2 Climate Positive Development certification from the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40). The Climate Positive Development Programme is a performance-based framework designed to create models for how cities can grow in low carbon ways.

The Mahindra project, which is also the largest project in the world (by population) to reach this certification, is being recognized for its Climate Positive Roadmap detailing its plans and commitment to achieve a net-negative carbon emissions outcome.

In recognition of this milestone, President of the C40 Board and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change Michael R. Bloomberg presented a commemorative plaque to Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group at Bloomberg LP in New York City.

The Stage 2 Climate Positive recognition is given to those developers who have successfully created detailed plans for how they will reduce energy, waste and transportation related carbon emissions onsite and expand the impact to the surrounding community in order to achieve a Climate Positive outcome.

Speaking on the occasion, Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, said, "Sustainability is an integral part of our 'Rise' philosophy and we are committed to driving sustainable practices across our businesses. I would like to extend my congratulations to Mahindra World City Jaipur, for their pioneering work that has led to this global recognition. The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group has contributed greatly towards implementing meaningful and sustainable policies and programmes that address the issue of global climate change. We as a Group are honoured to have received this certification."

Sharing his views, C40 Board President and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change Michael R. Bloomberg said, "The partnership between the Mahindra Group and Jaipur is a great example of how cities can grow and provide opportunities for people without polluting the planet or worsening the risks we face from climate change."

"It’s essential for cities to find ways to do that – including in India, where cities are growing rapidly and living standards are increasing, along with demands on energy and other resources. Innovative projects like this can help us avoid the worst impacts of climate change while also improving many people’s lives, and I applaud the Mahindra Group, C40, and the city of Jaipur for their leadership."

C. S. Rajan, Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan and Chairman, Mahindra World City, Jaipur said, “It is a proud moment for Mahindra World City, Jaipur as we have become Asia’s first and only participant in Stage 2 of the Climate Positive Development Programme of C40 cities. Such programmes encourage developers to take a leadership role in ensuring that new cities are sustainable."

"The project has committed to a long-term roadmap which includes strategies and tactics that will be adopted to achieve net negative operational Green House Gases (GHG) emissions. Given the increasing importance of climate change mitigation in a rapidly urbanizing country like India, Mahindra World City, Jaipur could serve as a model for development across emerging economies."

The Climate Positive Development Programme (CPDP) was created to meet the pressing dual challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change. Part of the C40’s Sustainable Communities Initiative, the programme was originally developed in partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative and the U.S Green Building Council.

It aims to create large-scale models and global good-practice examples of urban development that help mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions in an economically sustainable manner. CPDP developers seek to meet a 'climate positive' emissions target of net-negative on-site, operational greenhouse gas emissions.

About Mahindra World City Jaipur Ltd:

Pioneered by Mahindra Lifespaces, Mahindra World Cities (MWCs) are integrated business cities through developments in Chennai and Jaipur. These developments cover 1862 hectares (4,600 acres) and house over 125 reputed global companies, providing an integrated environment for Life, Living and Livelihood.

Mahindra World City, Jaipur is located in the Delhi-Mumbai Corridor and is spread across 3000 acres with a 2,500-acre multi-product SEZ. The project serves as a conduit between entire North India and the ports of the Western coast and is being developed in partnership with Rajasthan State Industrial Development Corporation (RIICO), an agency of the Government of Rajasthan.

Situated 25 kms from Jaipur airport, it houses facilities for more than 64 corporates like Infosys, Wipro, JCB, Perto, Rexam etc across its SEZ and DTA facilities. It is the first city in India which is pre-certified SEZ with Gold certification under the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). In addition, the Evolve IT Park situated within MWC Jaipur is also a LEED-platinum certified Green Building.