Syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Background
- Tamil Nadu views climate action as starting on the ground, where communities and local institutions act.
- The State created the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC) to coordinate climate and biodiversity action.
Four Key Missions
- Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission (TNCCM) – drives emissions reduction.
- Green Tamil Nadu Mission (GTNM) – expands green cover.
- Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission (TNWM) – protects wetlands.
- Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission (TNSHORE) – restores seascapes and supports coastal livelihoods.
Net Zero Pathway
- Tamil Nadu targets Net Zero well before 2070.
- A detailed GHG Inventory (2005–2019) showed:
- State contributed only 7% of India’s emissions.
- Emission intensity reduced by 60%.
- Renewable energy accounts for 60% of installed capacity and 30% of electricity generation.
District-Level Climate Planning
- District decarbonisation plans launched with a real-time Climate Action Tracker.
- These districts can reduce up to 92% emissions by 2050 and sequester 3 million tonnes CO₂ eq.
- Projections show 95% more warm days and wetter monsoons if emissions remain unabated.
Implementation Plans
- Measures include electric mobility, waste management, industrial decarbonisation, and forest restoration.
- Net-zero timelines: Nilgiris (2030), Ramanathapuram (2047), Coimbatore & Virudhunagar (2055).
Community-Centric Governance
- Tamil Nadu treats climate action as participatory, involving local communities.
- The State now has 20 Ramsar wetlands and 30% protected land area.
Conclusion
- Tamil Nadu shows how sub-national innovation can deepen India’s national climate commitments through evidence-based, locally led governance.
Q- “Sub-national climate innovation can redefine India’s federal climate governance model.” Comment. (10 Marks)