Boosting climate action in Tamil Nadu

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‘Tamil Nadu enters its next phase of governance at a time when the climate action platform is well-positioned for accelerated implementation.’ | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

A new political mandate in Tamil Nadu arrives at a time when climate risks are no longer distant projections but lived realities. From rising heat to coastal vulnerability, the urgency to embed climate action into governance has never been clearer. This political transition offers an opportunity to accelerate the State’s climate action response.

Tamil Nadu is among the most climate vulnerable States of India. Increasing sea-levels, frequent cyclones, heatwaves, water stress and rapid urbanisation exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, making the transition of climate action into policy and implementation an absolute necessity.

In the past, Tamil Nadu has actioned several policies to manage climate risks. The government has introduced various programmes such as the Climate Change mission, Coastal Restoration Mission and the Green Tamil Nadu mission, in addition to the creation of institutions such as the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC) and the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation. Further, the Governing Council on Climate Change, a high-level body with experts headed by the CM, is a first-of-its-kind State-level body designed to provide strategic policy direction, and accelerate climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Tamil Nadu needs more basic science funding to create green technology

Some of the key initiatives under the Climate Change Mission have been the establishment of climate resilient villages as a pilot in 11 districts; district-level decarbonisation plans; carbon-neutral hubs; bio-fencing; climate-resilient green temples; green schools; and the Green Fellows programme. The role of the State Planning Commission cannot be ignored here for it was instrumental in conceiving many targeted studies across a spectrum of priority areas, which fed into both policy and implementation