Context:
-
Tamil Nadu has emerged as a pioneer in sub-State climate action, adopting district-level decarbonisation plans to achieve Net Zero emissions well before India’s national target of 2070.
-
The editorial highlights Tamil Nadu’s approach as a template for decentralised climate governance, aligning economic growth with sustainability.
Key Highlights:
Net-Zero Ambition & Emissions Performance
-
Tamil Nadu aims to achieve Net Zero emissions before 2070.
-
GHG Inventory (2005–2019) shows:
-
Nearly 60% reduction in emission intensity to GDP.
-
Contribution of only 7% to India’s total emissions in 2019, despite being among the most industrialised States.
-
Renewable Energy Leadership
-
Renewable energy capacity:
-
~60% of total installed power capacity
-
~30% of total electricity generation
-
-
Strong presence of wind and solar power, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
District-Level Decarbonisation Plans
-
Pilot districts: Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar.
-
Plans aim to:
-
Abate up to 92% of projected emissions by 2050
-
Integrate local socio-economic and ecological contexts.
-
-
Key interventions:
-
Clean energy transition
-
Low-carbon mobility
-
Industrial energy efficiency
-
Nature-based solutions
-
-
Carbon sequestration potential:
-
~3 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2050.
-
District-Specific Emission Profiles
-
Nilgiris & Coimbatore: Road transport as the dominant emission source.
-
Virudhunagar: Cement industry and industrial energy use.
-
Ramanathapuram: Public electricity generation and rice cultivation (methane emissions).
-
Tailored strategies ensure place-based climate action.
Institutional Framework for Climate Governance
-
Climate coordination led by Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC) through missions such as:
-
Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission (TNCCM)
-
Green Tamil Nadu Mission (GTNM)
-
Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission (TNWM)
-
Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission (TN SHORE)
-
-
Emphasis on whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
Nature-Based Solutions & Biodiversity
-
20 Ramsar-designated wetlands, among the highest for any Indian State.
-
30% of total land area under protection.
-
Initiatives include:
-
Large-scale afforestation
-
Mangrove restoration
-
Wetland and coastal ecosystem revival
-
-
Community participation central to conservation and low-carbon transition.
Significance of the Tamil Nadu Model
-
Demonstrates:
-
Effectiveness of sub-national climate leadership
-
Integration of development, livelihoods, and climate resilience
-
-
Provides a scalable model for:
-
Other Indian States
-
Federal climate action aligned with India’s NDCs
-
Key Concepts Involved:
-
Net Zero: Balancing greenhouse gas emissions with removals.
-
GHG Inventory: Accounting of emissions by sector and region.
-
Ramsar Convention: Global treaty for wetland conservation.
-
Decentralised Climate Governance: Localised planning and implementation of climate action.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
GS 3 – Environment & Ecology
-
Climate mitigation and adaptation
-
Renewable energy transition
-
Nature-based solutions
GS 2 – Governance
-
Sub-national climate action
-
Cooperative and competitive federalism in climate policy
-
Role of institutions in sustainability governance
Prelims Focus:
-
Net Zero targets (India vs States)
-
Ramsar wetlands in India
-
GHG inventories and emission intensity
Mains Enrichment:
-
Discuss how district-level climate planning can strengthen India’s climate commitments.
-
Evaluate the Tamil Nadu model as an example of decentralised and inclusive climate governance.