Kochi, India Adopts Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilience

WRI India and the Kochi Municipal Corporation established the Kawaki initiative in 2021 to create urban forests in areas prone to flooding and extreme heat. The program uses a science-based approach, including participatory mapathons and household surveys, to identify planting sites and adaptation needs. These green spaces mitigate the urban heat island effect and reduce flood risks while providing employment for unskilled laborers. The city has integrated the program into its municipal budget and the Kochi City Master Plan 2040, shifting its strategy from rescue and recovery to long-term resilience planning.

• Kochi is highly vulnerable to climate hazards due to its low elevation (less than 5 meters above sea level), with approximately 26% of the population living in flood plains and 31% regularly exposed to temperatures exceeding 30 degrees C (86 degrees F).
• The Kawaki initiative, launched in 2021, employs urban forests to cool air, mitigate the urban heat island effect, prevent soil erosion, and increase water absorption to lower flood risks.
• The program's implementation relied on a science-based methodology involving participatory mapathons with citizen scientists and the Urban Community Resilience Assessment tool, which surveyed over 600 households across four communities.
• Kochi has institutionalized nature-based solutions by including the Kawaki initiative in its 2022 municipal budget and incorporating the Guidance Document for Resilience Planning into the Kochi City Master Plan 2040.

APA

World Resources Institute (2023). Kochi, India Adopts Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilience. https://www.wri.org/outcomes/kochi-india-adopts-nature-based-solutions-climate-resilience

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Kochi, India Adopts Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilience. 2023. https://www.wri.org/outcomes/kochi-india-adopts-nature-based-solutions-climate-resilience.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Kochi, India Adopts Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilience |date=2 June 2023 |url=https://www.wri.org/outcomes/kochi-india-adopts-nature-based-solutions-climate-resilience |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2023kochi, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Kochi, India Adopts Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilience}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://www.wri.org/outcomes/kochi-india-adopts-nature-based-solutions-climate-resilience}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }