Page 42 - Shelter-April 2024

POLICY REVIEW

will pave the way for a more to drive the adoption of technological solutions,
successful and sustainable energy-efficient practices community engagement,
future. [3]. By fostering multi- economic benefits, and
stakeholder partnerships future outlook, several key
Challenges and Future and promoting knowledge findings have emerged.
Outlook sharing, capacity building, Firstly, the paper underscores
Addressing challenges and and technology transfer, cities the significance of energy-
outlining future strategies can overcome barriers to efficient cities in lowering
for scaling up energy widespread implementation greenhouse gas emissions,
efficiency initiatives in of energy efficiency measures. cutting energy use, and
Indian urban areas through Recommendations for advancing sustainable
stakeholder collaboration scaling up energy efficiency development. It highlights
is crucial for sustainable initiatives include developing the pivotal role of national
urban development. By tailor made strategies for and state-level policies, such
engaging stakeholders different urban contexts, as the Smart Cities Mission,
from government, industry, providing financial incentives in driving initiatives to
academia, and civil society, and technical assistance to promote energy efficiency
cities in India can overcome support implementation, and and sustainable urban
adoption barriers and drive raising awareness about the development. Secondly,
the implementation of benefits of energy efficiency the paper looks at creative
energy-efficient practices[16]. among stakeholders[3]. approaches and cutting-
Scaling up energy efficiency edge technology to increase
initiatives in Indian urban Conclusion energy efficiency in cities,
areas face challenges like In the face of rapid with a focus on how building
lack of awareness, high initial urbanisation and escalating automation systems, smart
costs, policy hurdles, and energy demands, the pursuit grids, renewable energy
technical expertise. Future of sustainable development sources, and the Internet of
strategies include stakeholder has become imperative for Things (IoT) will shape urban
collaboration, capacity nations worldwide, with environments in the future.
building, financial incentives, India standing at a critical Furthermore, the importance
and policy alignment juncture in shaping its of community engagement
to drive adoption[7]. urban future. This paper has and behavioural change in
Recommendations to delved into the multifaceted fostering energy-efficient
overcome barriers involve dimensions of sustainable practices within smart cities
raising awareness through development in the context of is emphasised, along with
campaigns, facilitating India’s transition to energy- the economic benefits and
access to financing with efficient cities. business opportunities
subsidies, streamlining associated with advancing
regulatory processes, and There is an urgent need to energy efficiency goals.
promoting knowledge transition towards energy-
sharing among stakeholders. efficient cities to address Despite the progress made,
The significance of including challenges posed by climate the paper acknowledges
a variety of stakeholders, change, resource depletion, the challenges faced in
such as local communities, and urban sprawl. Through scaling up energy efficiency
businesses, governments, and exploration of various facets initiatives in Indian urban
civil society organisations including policy frameworks, areas, including lack of

40 HUDCO-HSMI Publication