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Varanasi has seen a rapid increase in rooftop solar (RTS) installations, growing from 549 in February 2024 to nearly 10,000 by December 2024. This growth is attributed to a coordinated 'Varanasi model' involving state, district, and city administrations, which utilizes targeted deployment, aggressive consumer outreach, expanded vendor networks, and streamlined financial and technical processes.

The document examines India's urban transition, noting that while urban population growth now exceeds rural growth, cities often replicate rural social inequalities. It highlights the systemic exclusion of Muslims, Dalits, and low-income migrants in cities like Varanasi, Ahmedabad, and Pune, where segregated colonies and unplanned slums persist. The authors argue that India's urban governance is hindered by a weak mayoral system, where mayors of major cities lack authority over critical functions, finance, and staffing. The brief advocates for a 'seismic shift' toward inclusive urban planning and an empowered mayoral system to improve municipal accountability and social cohesion.

The document examines how ground-level ozone (O3) reduces crop yields in South Asia, specifically within the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It finds that current O3 concentrations cause yield losses between 5% and 35%, resulting in estimated annual economic losses of approximately US$ 3.9 billion for staple crops. The brief highlights that O3 concentrations are projected to increase more rapidly in South Asia than in any other global region by 2030. It argues that these impacts may be more immediate than those of climate change and could contribute to the recent decline in crop yield growth in the region. The authors recommend international cooperation to reduce precursor emissions, the development of O3-resistant crop varieties, and improved integration of air quality and food security into policy frameworks.

The India-UK partnership focuses on making Indian cities climate-smart by integrating climate risk data into urban planning and infrastructure. Key initiatives include the 'Future Proofing Indian Cities' programme, which assessed 59 cities for environmental risks, and the 'Disaster Proofing Indian Smart Cities' project, which provides guidance on the resilience of Digital Information Technology (DIT). The partnership has delivered specific action plans and investment strategies for cities such as Mysore, Madurai, Bangalore, Aluva, and Kolkata, while also supporting the development of national Heat Action Plans to combat increasing extreme heat waves.