Budget will be planned to integrate climate action in schemes across departments: Stalin

The Tamil Nadu State Budget will be formulated to integrate climate action across schemes implemented by all departments to ensure climate considerations are embedded in governance at every level, said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Tamil Nadu Climate Summit 4.0 on Tuesday.

Mr. Stalin said Tamil Nadu would formulate State-level determined contributions to cut its carbon emissions by 2030, just as India had committed to nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions. These would serve as clear targets, with concrete measures undertaken to achieve them, he said.

He also declared that five lakh sandalwood saplings would be distributed for planting across Tamil Nadu to enhance green cover. Additionally, he said industries and government institutions would jointly invest in green technologies to reduce emissions. Mr. Stalin laid the foundation for the International Dugong Conservation Centre in Thanjavur.

At the summit, Mr. Stalin launched the Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources and Blue Economy (TN-SHORE) scheme. Under this initiative, ₹1.7 crore had been earmarked as revolving funds and micro-credit support for 34 mangrove conservation committees. From this allocation, ₹5 lakh each was distributed to three mangrove forest protection committees from Killai, Cuddalore district.

Further, under the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Fund, financial assistance was extended to Kannabiran Polymers Ltd (₹20 crores), Ooru Cabs (₹25 crores), and Esygo Power (₹75 crore) to promote environmentally sustainable industrial practices.

In the presence of Mr. Stalin, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IIT Madras, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company for establishing a Centre for Circular Economy at IIT Madras.

Finance and Environment Minister Thangam Thennarasu, Forests Minister R.S. Rajakannappan, Environment & Forests Secretary Supriya Sahu, Dena Umali-Deininger, Regional Director for South Asia, World Bank and others were present.