Tamil Nadu well-poised to tackle climate challenges: Economic Survey

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin planting a sapling during a programme organised by the Green Tamil Nadu Mission of the Forest Department. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Tamil Nadu, one of India’s most urbanised and industrialised states, faces growing climate challenges, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting rainfall patterns, the Economic Survey of Tamil Nadu for 2024-2025 said.

The Tamil Nadu government had taken a proactive approach to climate action by establishing the Tamil Nadu Governing Council on Climate Change. It developed the Tamil Nadu State Action Plan on Climate Change for 2023-30 and set up a ₹1,000 crore Green Fund to support projects mitigating climate change impacts, it said.

In NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 13 (Climate Action) Index for 2023-24, Tamil Nadu secured the top rank with a score of 81, well above the national average of 67, the survey noted.

Climate change has become a major concern for Tamil Nadu. In recent years, the State experienced an increased frequency of extreme weather events, including cyclones (Vardah in 2016, Ockhi in 2017, Gaja in 2018, Michaung in 2023, and Fengel in 2024) and floods (notably in 2015 and 2017), it said.

The State’s average mean temperature has risen by +0.68°C per century, and there is clear evidence of a decline in annual rainfall. A report by the Climate Studio at Anna University highlights that north-eastern coastal regions are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events during the northeast monsoon, including pluvial floods, cyclones, and sea-level rise, which exacerbate agricultural losses due to prolonged water stagnation, the survey noted.

The Western Ghats have relatively lower vulnerability, benefiting from dense forests that serve as robust carbon sinks. Meanwhile, degradation in the Eastern Ghats has intensified drought conditions, affecting agricultural productivity, it said.

The State is well-positioned to tackle climate challenges through its 2023-2030 Action Plan, which focuses on emissions reduction, sustainable agriculture, and water management, the survey said. Key initiatives include sustainable habitat development, waste-to-energy programmes, coastal ecosystem restoration, and climate-smart agriculture, it said.

With a renewable energy capacity of 20,724 MW, Tamil Nadu is among India’s top renewable power generators, yet further efforts are needed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Expanding public transport, energy efficiency, and climate literacy will be critical in mitigating future risks, the survey said.

Coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and coral reefs, require urgent protection against rising sea levels and marine pollution. Expanding the One Health Mission, which integrates environmental and public health, can help address climate-induced diseases and pollution-related hazards, it said.

Increasing forest and tree cover is crucial for climate resilience, yet challenges like deforestation and declining green spaces must be addressed. Tamil Nadu’s vulnerability to heat waves, air pollution, and urban flooding calls for urgent action in expanding green infrastructure, improving water management, and strengthening health systems, it said.

Tamil Nadu can position itself as a leader in climate adaptation and environmental sustainability by integrating sustainability into economic planning, investing in green initiatives, and enhancing governance, the survey noted.