Report advocates renewable energy strategy for State

Report is aimed at helping the State government know its overall position Energy and power-related sources account for over 75 per cent of the emissions in Tamil Nadu and it is imperative for the State to adopt an overall renewable energy strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of power generation and lower its overall emission footprint, states a report on Tamil Nadu's carbon footprint. Prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industry-Sohrabji Godrej Green Building Centre, the report is aimed at helping the State government know its overall position, pattern of emissions and use it as a basis to attain low carbon growth for the future. Giving the details of the report, CII-Godrej GBC principal counsellor, K.S. Venkatagiri, said Tamil Nadu's carbon footprint indicated a total greenhouse gas emission of 111.86 million tonnes during 2009-10, with energy sector accounting for 76 per cent, followed by industries and agriculture. Some of the key recommendations of the study include: adopting voluntary renewable power obligation targets; creation of green fund and supporting the State's climate mitigation efforts; establishing a power plant refurbishment fund; charging a fuel cess of Rs.0.25 per litre on both diesel and petrol and utilising it for funding bio-fuel research and supporting technology absorption. A green cess to support the public transportation system; a clean energy cess to promote non-fossil fuel based energy; co-processing of industrial, municipal and other combustible wastes in cement kilns; adoption of green buildings in residential and commercial space; and demand side management in agricultural pump sets, water and crop management are other recommendations. “In line with the national commitment of reducing emissions intensity by 20 to 25 per cent of 2005 levels by 2020, this study explored possible options to help the state to achieve similar emissions intensity reduction. Based on the mitigation options identified, an emissions intensity reduction of 20 to 25 per cent by 2020 for Tamil Nadu looks feasible,” he said. Delivering the inaugural address at a conference on ‘Corporate sustainability', Principal Secretary, Environment, C.V. Sankar said here on Monday that Tamil Nadu was drafting its own action plan on climate change and had initiated discussions at various levels. “This will make Tamil Nadu ready for carbon constraint and make the State an attractive green investment destination both nationally and internationally. As in many other areas, Tamil Nadu can take the lead and show the world how sustainable models such as reuse and recycling, though well-known concepts, could be put into practice,” he said. He also said Tamil Nadu had embarked on a massive tree plantation drive with an ambitious target of taking the forest and tree cover of the State to 33 per cent of the land area from the present 21.8 per cent.