'100% renewable energy reliant by 2040': Kerala's SAPCC

Kerala State Action Plan on Climate Change 2023-2030 was drafted by the Directorate of Environmental and Climate Change with the Department of Environment Government of Kerala. The major aim of this plan is to address the impacts of global warming and climate change in the state of Kerala. 

The State action plan

The state action plan envisages enhanced power generation through a shift to renewable energy sources. Furthermore, enhancement of energy efficiency following the national commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The SAPCC estimates that the proposed mitigation strategies for sustainable measures for the 2023-2030 period could reduce around 57,000 kt of carbon dioxide with an investment of around Rs. 52,238 crores.

Various mitigations and strategies were proposed for different sectors such as power, agriculture, transport, industry, and buildings so as to reduce emissions and inculcate sustainable practices.

The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, declares that Kerala aims to become a state that is 100% reliant on renewable energy by 2040.

And, a net carbon neutral state in 2050 during the opening ceremony for the India Climate and Development Partner's Meet.

Measures

The major mitigation measures among the quantified strategies planned are:

1. Installation of RE-based electricity projects
2. Energy efficiency improvement in significant industries
3. Transmission and distribution infrastructure improvement
4. The increased adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

The proposed significant mitigation measures for 2030 include; increasing RE-installed capacity to 3.46 GW and reduction in T&D loss to 8.8%, pegging 53% of the lighting points

in the residential sector with energy efficient lighting, higher share of EVs in public transport and intermediate public transport, increased installation of solar based and energy efficient agricultural supports and improving the energy efficiency of Non- PAT (Perform Achieve and Trade) industries and micro, small and medium enterprises.

Vulnerability of Kerala

Over the past few years, Kerala has been hit hard by heavy rains, floods, landslides, and droughts. Heavy rains were recorded in the state in 1924, 1961, 2018, and 2021. Being a coastal state, Kerala is vulnerable to sea level rise and its coastline is prone to lane-scale sea erosion. Over 40% of Kerala's coastline has been lost to the sea over the past 26 years as a result of sea level rise. This has increased the frequency and severity of coastal flooding in low-lying areas and caused coastal erosion.

According to the IPCC’s sixth assessment report, continued global warming is projected to substantially intensify the global water cycle, including its variability, global monsoon precipitation, and the intensity of wet and dry episodes. All this can have implications for the water sector. The SAPCC also discussed climate change impacts on various sectors in Kerala such as agriculture and allied sector, forest and biodiversity, coastal fisheries, water resources, health, and tourism.

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