Tamil Nadu to set up eco clubs in all schools to advance climate education

Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Tuesday announced eco-clubs will be established in all schools in Tamil Nadu, as part of the government’s plan to teach students about climate change and its impact from a young age.

Participating in the inaugural of the T.N. Climate Summit 3.0 on Tuesday, he said the government would soon introduce a policy on climate education. This policy aims to raise climate awareness among all sections of society through students. 

As part of the initiative, students will be encouraged to take an active role in environmental conservation, including reducing carbon footprints, protecting natural resources, and adopting sustainable practices. 

The government would also provide capacity-building training for various government officials on climate change mitigation and adaptation, he said and added that special training would be offered to departments such as Agriculture and Water Resources, which are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. 

The Chief Minister, along with K. Ponmudy, Minister of Forests, Thangam Thennarasu, Minister of Finance, Environment and Climate Change, P. Senthil Kumar, Principal Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, and other officials, inaugurated a website on online waste exchange bureau. 

This bureau, set up by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, is an e-commerce-like platform that connects waste generators and processors to promote a circular economy by facilitating trading of various types of waste. 

Mr. Stalin launched a website for the voluntary rating of industries to encourage them to reduce their environmental impact by adopting production technologies that are more eco-friendly. 

Additionally, he unveiled the ‘Lifestyle for Climate’ document, which introduces a certification programme for industries, and an action plan for decarbonising Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar district. It is a specific plan to transform the industrial sector in the area into a model for low-carbon growth. 

The Chief Minister also presented environmental awards to individuals and organisations for their contributions to environmental protection across various sectors, as well as for their efforts in environmental education.