Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan for BBSR Released

By Bijay Mishra 
Bhubaneswar, 10th September 2025

 The Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan (IHCAP) for Bhubaneswar has been realeased by the environment think tank “International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST) and theBhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC)

This is India’s first city-level framework to address rising heat stress and cooling demand in an integrated manner.

Developed by iFOREST in collaboration with the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC), the IHCAP for Bhubaneswar provides a comprehensive roadmap to tackle the growing challenge of increasing temperatures and humidity, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, and rapidly rising demand for cooling.

The report was released by Smt. Sulochana Das, Mayor, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation &  Dr. Chandra Bhushan, CEO, iFOREST.

Speaking on the occasion , Dr. Chandra Bhushan, CEO of iFOREST, said that 
“Heat stress is now among the gravest challenges for India’s cities. With IHCAP, Bhubaneswar is demonstrating how cities can break the vicious cycle of rising temperatures, growing cooling demand, and increasing energy consumption and emissions. This should become a blueprint for other Indian cities, bridging the gap between mitigation and adaptation, and aligning local action with state and national climate strategies.”

Smt. Sulochana Das, Mayor of Bhubaneswar told that “Bhubaneswar has always embraced forward-looking urban solutions. The IHCAP reflects our vision of a climate-smart city that protects vulnerable citizens, ensures that every household, workplace, and public space in Bhubaneswar is prepared for the realities of a warming world, and promotes sustainable growth.”
iFOREST undertook year-long research to develop the IHCAP.

The report identified that,  long-term climate trends indicate a steady rise in temperature and humidity levels in Bhuwaneshwar. Summers are not only hotter but also more humid, significantly heightening the risk of heat stroke.Heat stress in Bhubaneswar now extends until October. If IMD’s experimental “Feels Like” temperature threshold is applied, more than 230 days in 2024 would have been declared as Orange or Yellow alert days.

The Urban Heat Island effect is intensifying due to large-scale concretisation. Between 2018 and 2024, built-up areas increased by 23%, while vegetation declined by 10% and water bodies by a drastic 75%.

The temperature difference between Bhubaneswar and surrounding rural areas currently ranges between 2.0–5.0°C.

Around 30% of workers—especially in construction, transport, street vending, and gig work—lose 20–30% productivity and wages due to heat stress. Citywide, annual income loss has already reached 8.6%.

Between 2021 and 2023, household ownership of air conditioners rose from 6% to 15% (a 73% annual growth rate). ACs now account for one-third of the city’s electricity consumption and nearly two-thirds during summer.

Climate projections show that by 2050, a “normal hot day” in Bhubaneswar will feel similar to today’s extreme heat days.

Under a Business-as-Usual scenario, electricity consumption from cooling is projected to increase 7.6 times by 2050.

Using advanced modelling techniques, the IHCAP provides actionable recommendations for Bhubaneswar . 

The report recommended for expansation of  urban greening in all wards to meet WHO’s benchmark of 9 m² per person; implemention of citywide cool roof programmes; restoring water bodies; promotion of green roads, pavements, and undertaking  traffic decongestion.

It emphasized on Revision and implemention of Odisha Energy Conservation Building Codes for all commercial and institutional buildings over 500 m²; adopting Eco-Niwas Samhita 2024 for residential plots above 225 m².

It suggested for  white roof programmes in slums; provide incentives for super-efficient fans and 5-star ACs; pilot district cooling systems in commercial and institutional zones.

It urged for strengthening electricity, water, and health infrastructure; establish cooling shelters and shaded, ventilated bus stops.

The report suggested for revision of  heat thresholds to include humidity and night-time conditions; introduce spatial heat-risk mapping; pilot parametric insurance for vulnerable workers.

“If effectively implemented, the IHCAP could reduce surface temperatures by 0.5–9.4°C, depending on the intervention, and cut the city’s energy consumption for cooling by 44–67%.”- told Mr Dr Chandra Bhushan