The overall aim of the project is to develop strategies for the mitigation of climate change and - where mitigation is not possible - to develop adaption strategies to the climate change in different sectors in Hyderabad by changing institutions, governance structures, lifestyles and consumption patterns. The geographical focus of the project is the South Indian emerging megacity of Hyderabad, which is expected to reach 10.5 million inhabitants by 2015 (2007 apprx. 6.3 million). Driven by consumption and lifestyle changes, per capita greenhouse gas emissions are constantly increasing. Modernization and urbanization processes have led to a growth of commercial and indirect energy use. Severe floods in 2002, strong heat waves in 2003 and altogether three drought years between 2000 and 2007 in Hyderabad and its surrounding region have caused serious damage to human life, property and economic advancement.
Given the risks of climate change, driven mainly by the consumption of fossil fuels, a fundamental shift in energy consumption patterns is required, leading to a low-emission society. This implies massive changes in many domains, e.g. energy ‘production’, food production, domestic energy consumption and mobility and transport. The task of nexus within the project is to do research on constraints and chances for participation and communication of civil society and the implementation of methods to raise public awareness and to integrate participation and communication into the planning processes in the local context. The nexus team is responsible on work package 6 “Low Emission Lifestyles – Communication and Participation Strategies”.
