Green Infrastructure: Nature-Based Solutions & Decarbonization

UPSC Mains PYQs

Green Infrastructure & Decarbonization (2023): "Transitioning from gray (concrete-heavy) infrastructure to green (nature-positive) infrastructure is a prerequisite for achieving climate-resilient cities." Explain the concept of 'Sponge Cities' and evaluate the role of the National Green Hydrogen Mission in facilitating India's transition to a low-carbon economy. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

📊 High-Yield Data & Statistical Fact Sheet

Green Decarbonization Metrics:
- Definition: Green infrastructure leverages natural ecosystems (wetlands, bioswales, forests) to replace or support gray (concrete) engineering.
- Green Hydrogen Target: National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 MMT per annum by 2030, backed by an outlay of ₹19,744 Crore.
- Proceeds Allocation: Sovereign Green Bonds (managed by Ministry of Finance) finance public-sector clean transport, renewable energy, and water management.
- Decarbonization Goal: Targets a 45% reduction in GDP emissions intensity by 2030 relative to 2005 levels.

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1. URBAN CLIMATE RESILIENCE: SPONGE CITIES & NBS

Sponge Cities: Urban planning model integrating permeable pavements, green roofs, and bioswales. It enables natural absorption and filtration of extreme stormwater, reducing flash urban flooding.
Nature-Based Solutions (NBS): Deploying ecological buffers over gray engineering. Examples include planting mangroves (MISHTI scheme) as coastal storm surge bioshields, and restoring urban wetlands (Amrit Dharohar) to absorb flood volumes.
Urban Heat Island (UHI) Control: Integrating vertical forests, urban groves, and green roofs to lower temperatures in cities.

Eco-ducts (Wildlife Crossings): Constructing green overpasses and underpasses (e.g., animal crossings on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and NH-44 through Pench) to prevent animal-vehicle collisions.
Corridor Connectivity: Restoring wildlife migration corridors that are fragmented by highways, rail lines, and irrigation canals.
Ecosystem Restoration: Reforesting degraded mining zones and stabilizing saline drylands to restore soil organic carbon pools.

Circular Infrastructure Materials: Mandating the use of industrial byproducts like fly-ash (coal power waste), slag (steel waste), and shredded plastic wastes in highway building.
Green Expressways: Planting multi-layered native vegetation belts along expressways to sequester carbon and prevent slope erosion.
Indian Carbon Market (CCTS): Established under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022 to mandate carbon emission targets for hard-to-abate sectors.

Green Hydrogen 2030 Goal: 5 MMT per annum.
Urban Permeable Design model: Sponge Cities.
Coastal Mangrove Scheme: MISHTI.
Wetland Conservation Scheme: Amrit Dharohar.
Animal Underpass Term: Eco-duct.
Circular Highway Aggregates: Fly-ash, Slag, and Waste Plastics.
Carbon Market Legislative Basis: Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022.

Notes updated up to March 2026. Sources: MoEFCC Circulars, NITI Aayog Sponge City Guidelines.