Pune: City one of India’s fastest-developing cities, has seen a troubling 34% drop in its carbon sequestration ability over the past decade, according to a recent joint study by MIT-World Peace University (MIT-WPU) and Sustaina Greens LLP. Led by Dr. Pankaj Koparde and Pratiksha Chalke, the research highlights the environmental toll of rapid urbanisation, linking a 12% surge in built-up land between 2013 and 2022 to the sharp decline in green spaces.
This increase in urban construction has significantly compromised the city’s natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide—a major contributor to global warming. The findings, published in Sustainable Futures, also indicate a 13% reduction in Pune’s capacity to manage floods. This decline is attributed to the disruption of natural drainage systems and rampant construction along riverbanks and floodplains, making the city more vulnerable to flash floods, especially in the face of erratic monsoon rains.
Dr. Koparde underscored the critical role of Pune’s native ecosystems—including hills, rivers, and wetlands—which have historically helped the city cope with carbon emissions, extreme heat, and flooding. “Our research underscores the irreplaceable value of natural features like urban hills and wetlands in maintaining ecological balance. Sustainable urbanisation must preserve and enhance these resources rather than diminish them,” he said.
The study calls for urgent policy-level interventions to protect and rejuvenate Pune’s ecological assets. Key recommendations include adopting ecosystem service valuation techniques and integrating these insights into city planning to encourage environmentally mindful growth.
Dr. R.M. Chitnis, Vice-Chancellor of MIT-WPU, stressed that the study serves as a wake-up call for other rapidly expanding cities. “Urban development must be guided by scientific evidence, with sustainability embedded at every level of planning. Preserving ecological integrity is as vital as advancing infrastructure,” he noted.
As cities across India and the broader Global South grapple with the twin pressures of climate change and urban expansion, Pune’s trajectory stands as a powerful example of the need to harmonise development with environmental stewardship.
