Parliament Question: Tamil Nadu State Action Plan on Climate Change

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1551 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026 Tamil Nadu State Action Plan on Climate Change

1551. MS. S JOTHIMANI:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has conducted any region-specific assessments on the impact of climate change in Tamil Nadu, including rising temperatures, irregular monsoons, extreme weather events and sea-level rise and if so, the key findings thereof;

(b) the steps being taken under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the Tamil Nadu State Action Plan on Climate Change (TNSAPCC) to mitigate and adapt to these impacts;

(c) whether the Government has provided financial or technical support to Tamil Nadu for implementing climate-resilient agriculture, water resource management and coastal protection measures;

(d) whether any districts in Tamil Nadu have been identified as climate-vulnerable or climate- stressed zones and the special interventions planned for these areas; and

(e) whether the Government is coordinating with other departments to ensure an integrated and people-centric climate resilience strategy and if so, the details of such coordination mechanisms? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (e) The Government stands committed to combat climate change through its several programmes and schemes, including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which comprises missions in specific areas of solar energy, energy efficiency, water, sustainable agriculture, health, Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, green India, and strategic knowledge for climate change. Thirty-six States/Union Territories including Tamil Nadu have prepared their State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) in line with the NAPCC, taking into account State-specific climate change issues.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has established Tamil Nadu State Climate Change Cell under the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change (NMSKCC) of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), to assist the State in undertaking vulnerability and risk assessments, human capacity-building programmes, public awareness programmes, and institutional capacity building. Further, DST supported Center of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, on ‘Climate Change Impacts on Coastal Infrastructure and Adaptation Strategies’, which has developed various numerical models to study the impact of climate change on the climate systems of the coastal areas. In addition, climate-vulnerabilityassessment for agricultural districts such as Dharmapuri, Villupuram, Coimbatore, Perambalur and Ramanathapuram have been conducted under National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA).

Tamil Nadu State Action Plan on Climate Change (TNSAPCC) and TNSAPCC 2.0 (2022–2030) outlines ambitious measures to promote renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, and support low-carbon development. Green Tamil Nadu Mission aims at strengthening of carbon sinks through large-scale native plantation and sustainable mobility. Adaptation efforts focus on strengthening ecosystem resilience and climate-proofing vulnerable communities through coastal restoration, mangrove and wetland conservation, and climate-resilient agriculture with water- efficient practices.

Financial and technical support to Tamil Nadu for implementing climate-resilient agriculture, water resource management and coastal protection measures is provided under National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) and projects worth over Rs 48 crore have been supported in the Gulf of Mannar, Tuticorin, Ramand, Kanyakumari, Thirunelveli, and rainfed watersheds in Salem and Virudhnagar districts.

With respect to water resources management, various important schemes are implemented in India to address climate change impacts that include – Namami Gange Programme, National Water Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Programme etc.

Moreover, Central Ground Water Board has established a climate change monitoring network in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.

Climate resilience efforts are coordinated across multiple Ministries, State Departments, research institutions, and local bodies. Mechanisms include the SAPCC framework, Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company Missions (Wetland, Coastal Restoration, Climate Change and Green Tamil Nadu Missions), National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) for climate and health integration, and community-based initiatives. Public awareness is promoted through National Green Corps, Information Education and Communication activities, eco-clubs, Green Fellows, and stakeholder training programmes, ensuring a whole-of-government and people-centric approach.

***