Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the meeting of the Governing Council on Climate Change on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Tamil Nadu is actively working towards achieving net zero emissions by 2070 through targeted actions, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said at the second meeting of the Governing Council on Climate Change on Thursday.
The Chief Minister said that renewable energy was the cornerstone of Tamil Nadu’s climate strategy, and the State was ranked third rank in the country for renewable energy generation, with wind energy alone accounting for 11,900 million units a year. By 2030, Tamil Nadu plans to source 50% of its energy from renewable sources, he pointed out.
The Governing Council on Climate Change, which guides the State’s climate policies, comprises economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia, environmentalist Eric Solheim, and former chief scientist of the World Health Organization Soumya Swaminathan. Minister for Environment Thangam Thennarasu and Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam also attended the meeting. The Council is responsible for approving the Tamil Nadu government’s State Action Plan on Climate Change.
In his speech, Mr. Stalin outlined the State’s key climate missions, such as the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission, and Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission, and the progress made. These initiatives aim at promoting sustainability through significant environmental conservation efforts, he added.
Water security in rural areas was also a major point of focus, entailing an investment of ₹500 crore for small irrigation tanks, the Chief Minister added. He further said that the government’s partnership with the Asian Development Bank on the climate change adaptation project in the Cauvery delta region was aimed at protecting coastal districts from cyclones, reducing flood risks, and enhancing irrigation systems.
Council members highlighted issues such as heat adaptation strategies, sustainable agriculture, and climate literacy. Dr. Soumya said that while global and national actions focused on mitigation, which are important, adaptation must also be prioritised on an urgent basis. Heat is significantly affecting humans and livestock. Hence, early warning systems and multi-sectoral actions are needed.
She emphasised the importance of financing the Heat Action Plan, and called for studies and data systems to address environmental risks to health. Ramesh Ramachandran, Director of National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, called for measures to strengthen coastal ecosystems, enhance disaster preparedness with artificial intelligence and early warning systems, expanding renewable energy, promoting sustainable agriculture, and modernising urban infrastructure to ensure resilience, sustainability, and carbon neutrality by 2070.
G. Sundararajan, coordinator of Poovulagin Nanbargal, stressed the need to appoint a Heat Officer to address increasing heatwaves in Tamil Nadu, establishing a branch of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, at Anna University, and launching the climate literacy movement to raise awareness on climate issues.
Published – December 06, 2024 12:50 am IST
