Coimbatore is on a mission to become a carbon-neutral district by 2050, according to Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Siva V Meyyanathan. Speaking at the ‘Carbon Neutral Coimbatore’ workshop, the minister said that Coimbatore would be the first district in Tamil Nadu to achieve carbon neutrality, to reduce carbon emissions from the electricity, transport and industry sectors.
He also revealed that Rajapalayam and Rameswaram municipalities would be targeted in the effort to achieve carbon neutrality, with the former benefiting from tree planting drive to increase green cover and the latter witnessing activities to improve carbon neutrality and promote sustainable tourism. A study is also underway to assess carbon emissions in the delta districts of Nagapattinam, Mayiladurai, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Thiruvarur which are known for agricultural activities.
Out of Tamil Nadu’s 1.31 lakh sq km, forest cover is only 29,000 sq km, and to achieve the goal of a 33 percent forest cover, this figure should be increased to 42,000 sq km. Last year, three crore trees were planted in Tamil Nadu, and this year the aim is to increase this number to 10 crore. He called for industries in Coimbatore, categorised under the red category by the pollution control department, to plant at least 100 trees each, and for individuals to commit to using cloth bags rather than plastic ones.
Out of the 4.89 million tonne of carbon emissions recorded in Coimbatore in 2015, the transport and industry sectors were responsible for 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Coimbatore must focus on electric vehicles, cycling and creating lung spaces to achieve sustainability and continue its growth trajectory. The efforts to make Coimbatore carbon neutral are part of a broader initiative in India to tackle climate change and promote sustainability.
