How green are our cities?

New Delhi: How green are our cities? The key number in measuring that now is the per capita emission or how big a carbon footprint an individual leaves.

The developed world pegs lndia's per capita emission at 1.7 tonnes. But a study by a non-profit organization of 40 Indian cities says it is much lower at less than 1 tonne.

The worst big city in India is Kolkata, at 1.83 tonnes, but it is nothing compared to Washington DC, which has per capita emission of 19.7 tonnes, or China's Shanghai and Canada's Toronto, both over 8 tonnes.

Both Chennai and Bangalore have per capita emission lower than 1 tonne.

The Carbon Culprits

• Washington DC: 19.7 tonnes
• Shanghai, Toronto: Over 8 tonnes
• Kolkata: 1.83 tonnes
• Chennai, Bangalore: Lower than 1 tonne

 
In cities that top the list, the transport sector and industry seem to be playing a big role in upping carbon emissions.

Interestingly, key Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai were not part of the survey because the local administration was not too keen about divulging energy data.

This data could give India the edge at the negotiating table in Copenhagen next month.

But India's fast-growing cities, like Gurgaon, already high at over 2 tonnes per capita emission have to be extra careful.

"We have already started initiating action that will bring down the per capita emissions in Gurgaon. Solid waste is a big contributor so we have put a plant in place to tackle the situation," says RK Khullar, Gurgaon Commissioner.

Now the challenge is to keep the emission figures at these levels or even lower it.