Tamil Nadu Government Launches Green Initiatives in Partnership with UNEP
The Tamil Nadu government has taken a significant step towards environmental sustainability by launching multiple green initiatives in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The State Environment, Climate Change, and Forests department introduced these initiatives during a ceremony held at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai. Inger Anderson, the Executive Director of UNEP, inaugurated the event, which was attended by Siva V Meyyanathan, the Minister of State for Environment and Climate Change, Dan Jannik Jorgensen, the Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy of Denmark, and Supriya Sahu, the Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu.
Earlier this year, UNEP and the Tamil Nadu government signed a three-year agreement aimed at promoting clean, efficient, and equitable cooling solutions and helping the state adapt to rising extreme heat. Under the agreement, UNEP and the government will collaborate on various initiatives, including sustainable cooling, plastic waste management, and environmental education.
Approximately 25 schools have been selected to implement various green measures as part of these initiatives. These measures include adopting energy-efficient practices through the use of solar lighting and solar pumps, installing solar borewells, implementing rainwater harvesting systems, promoting composting, creating vegetable and medicinal plant gardens, cultivating fruit-bearing trees, reducing water consumption, recycling wastewater, and establishing plastic-free environments. These schools will serve as inspiration for other educational institutions, and their efforts will be evaluated and ranked on a green index, which will serve as a valuable repository of information on sustainable initiatives. The government has allocated Rs 5 crore (approximately $670,000 USD) for this program.
Additionally, the government of Tamil Nadu’s plastic waste management campaign, known as Meendum Majappai, along with UNEP’s Tide Turner’s Plastic Challenge, are two initiatives that have the potential to bring about substantial change in society’s attitude toward single-use plastics.
By partnering with UNEP and implementing these green initiatives, the government of Tamil Nadu is demonstrating its commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development. These efforts are expected to enhance the quality of life for residents while safeguarding the state’s natural resources for future generations.
