Pune’s Carbon Absorption Capacity Drops By 34% Amid Rapid Urban Expansion: MIT-WPU Study

A recent study by researchers at MIT-World Peace University (MIT-WPU) has revealed a 34% decline in Pune’s carbon sequestration capacity over the past decade, raising serious concerns about the environmental sustainability of the fast-growing metro city. The alarming trend is largely attributed to rapid urbanization and shrinking green cover.

The research, conducted by Dr. Pankaj Koparde of MIT-WPU in collaboration with Pratiksha Chalke of Sustaina Greens LLP, is titled “Losing the Carbon Game? Changing Face of a Tropical Smart Metro City and its Repercussions on Carbon Sequestration, Heat and Flood Mitigation Capacity”. The findings were recently published in the journal Sustainable Futures.

According to the study, Pune’s built-up areas increased by 12% between 2013 and 2022, resulting in significant landscape changes. The growth has not only reduced the city’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide—a key greenhouse gas—but has also led to a 13% reduction in its flood mitigation ability, due to the loss of natural drainage systems and unchecked construction on riversides and floodplains.

“Our results underline the irreplaceable role of native geological and ecological features such as urban hills and wetlands in maintaining urban environmental health,” said Dr. Koparde. “Sustainable development in tropical metro cities like Pune depends on preserving, not undermining, these natural assets.”

The researchers stress that hills, rivers, and wetlands, which traditionally served as buffers against heat, carbon emissions, and flooding, are being rapidly degraded. This ecological imbalance is likely to increase Pune’s vulnerability to floods, especially in the face of increasingly erratic monsoon patterns.

To combat this, the study advocates urgent policy reforms, including:

• Protection and restoration of urban hills and wetlands

• Preservation of riverside green buffers

• Use of ecosystem service valuation tools

• Adoption of integrated, data-driven urban planning frameworks

Dr. R. M. Chitnis, Vice Chancellor of MIT-WPU, commented on the study’s broader significance: “This landmark research reflects MIT-WPU’s commitment to addressing pressing societal challenges through scientific inquiry. The findings are a wake-up call—not just for Pune, but for all urban centers in India navigating the twin pressures of climate change and unplanned development.”

As cities across the Global South confront similar challenges, Pune’s case underscores the need for climate-resilient, ecologically sound urban planning. The research presents a critical reminder: urban growth without ecological foresight can have long-term consequences on public health, infrastructure, and environmental well-being.