City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) 2.0

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What is Circular economy?
• What is City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS)?
• What are the Different phases of CITIIS?

 

Why in News?

• The Union Cabinet has approved the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) 2.0.
• This has been approved to promote circular economy in 18 Smart Cities to be selected through a competition.

 

What is Circular economy?

• About
  • The circular economy is an economic model that aims to decouple economic growth from resource consumption and environmental degradation.
  • It is an alternative to the traditional linear economy, which follows a "take-make-dispose" pattern.
    • In this pattern, resources are extracted, processed into products, used, and then discarded as waste.
  • In contrast, the circular economy aims to close the loop by keeping materials, products, and resources in continuous use, maximizing their value and minimizing waste and pollution.
• Main principles
  • Designing out waste and pollution: In a circular economy, products are designed to be long-lasting, easily repairable, and recyclable.
  • Keeping products and materials in use: The circular economy promotes the reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of products and materials.
    • It emphasizes extending product lifetimes, creating secondary markets for used goods, and promoting efficient recycling processes.
• Regenerating natural systems: The circular economy aims to restore and regenerate natural resources and ecosystems.
  • It encourages the use of renewable energy sources, sustainable agricultural practices, and the preservation of biodiversity.
• Steps taken by India to promote circular economy
  • In Union budget 2022-23, FM said ‘the circular economy Transition will help productivity enhancement and job creation.
    • It announced that the Government would introduce a policy for battery swapping.
    • The action plans for ten sectors such as electronic waste, end-of-life vehicles, used-oil waste, and toxic and hazardous industrial waste are in pipeline.
  • In Union Budget 2023-24, govt emphasised on circular economic model.
    • 500 waste to wealth plants would be established under GOBARdhan scheme to promote circular economy.
    • PM PRANAM, a new scheme, is also being launched to incentivise States / UTS to promote usage of alternative fertilizers.
    • Banks and other financial institutions would also be encouraged to launch a Green Credit Programme, which would be notified under the Environment (Protection) Act.
    • The National Green Hydrogen Mission, with an outlay of Rs 19,700 crore is planned with a target to reach an annual production of 5 MMT by 2030.
  • Expanding the idea of Lifestyle for Environment (LIFE), India is moving forward firmly for the 'Panchamrit' (five nector elements for India's climate action) and net-zero carbon emission.

 

What is City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS)?

• About
  • CITIIS, or the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain, is a sub-component of the Government of India's Smart Cities Mission.
  • It aims to support sustainable urban development in India by promoting innovative solutions and integrating various urban systems.
• Institutions/agencies involved
  • It is a joint program of:
    • the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; Agence Francaise de Development (AFD); the European Union (EU), and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
• Objective
  • The primary objective of CITIIS is to provide financial and technical support to selected cities in India for the implementation of projects that address their specific urban challenges.
  • These challenges may include improving urban mobility, enhancing water supply and sanitation systems, promoting sustainable energy solutions, etc.
• Key pillars
  • CITIIS focuses on three key pillars:
    • Innovation: The initiative encourages cities to propose innovative solutions to address their urban challenges.
    • Integration: CITIIS promotes the integration of various urban systems and sectors.
      • It aims to break silos and encourage collaboration between different stakeholders.
    • Sustainability: The initiative emphasizes the importance of sustainability in urban development.
• Selection of cities
  • CITIIS is a competitive program, and cities are selected through a rigorous process based on the strength of their proposals.
  • The selected cities receive financial support, technical expertise, and capacity building to implement their projects successfully.

 

What are the Different phases of CITIIS?

• First phase
  • CITIIS 1.0 was launched jointly in 2018 with a total outlay of ₹933 crore (EUR 106 million).
  • CITIIS 1.0 consisted of three components.
• Second phase
  • City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain 2.0 (CITIIS 2.0) has been approved recently by the Union Cabinet.
  • The program will run for a period of four years, i.e., from 2023 till 2027.
  • The program envisages to support competitively selected projects promoting circular economy with focus on:
    • integrated waste management at the city level,
    • climate-oriented reform actions at the State level, and
    • institutional strengthening and knowledge dissemination at the National level.
  • The funding for CITIIS 2.0 would include:
    • a loan of Rs.1760 crore (EUR 200 million) from AFD and KfW (EUR 100 million each) and
    • a technical assistance grant of Rs.106 cr. (EUR 12 million) from the EU.
  • CITIIS 2.0 has three major components:
    • Component 1 - financial and technical support for 18 cities to develop projects on climate resilience, with a focus on integrated waste management.
    • Component 2 - All States and UTs will be eligible for support on demand basis.
      • All eligible states/UTs will receive support for setting up climate centres, creating state and city level climate data observatories and capacity-building for municipal staff.
    • Component 3:   Interventions at all three levels; Centre, State and City to further climate governance in urban India.

 

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Q1) What is GOBARdhan scheme?

The GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) scheme is an initiative launched by the Government of India. It aims to promote sustainable management of livestock waste and generate biogas and organic manure from cattle dung and other bio-wastes.

 

Q2) What is National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)?

The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is a premier research and capacity-building institution in India that focuses on urban development and governance. It was established in 1976 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.