Coimbatore: With rising temperatures and declining rainfall intensifying concerns over future climate risks, Coimbatore has now sclaed up its efforts to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions to keep climate change in check and reduce pressure on natural resources.The district, spread over 4,723 sqkm with a forest cover of 1,953.18 sqkm and a population of about 34.6 lakh, is Tamil Nadu’s second major industrial and economic hub. With a strong base in textiles, engineering and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Coimbatore is witnessing a rapid urban expansion, putting pressure on water, energy, transport and waste management systems. An official source says the district is experiencing significant climate variability (fluctuations), including decline in southwest monsoon rainfall and rainy days, and steady rise in summer and winter temperatures. According to the urban heat island assessment and strategic guidelines for urban cooling in Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore city’s annual average air temperature has been rising by 0.014°C per decade. The city’s zero emission action plan for 2024 also projected an increase in maximum temperature by 1.3°C to 3.1°C and minimum temperature by 1.2°C to 3.3°C by the end of the century. The report also pointed to rising electricity demand. Residential electricity consumption in Coimbatore reached 2,532 GWh in 2022, growing annually at 12% between 2014-15 and 2021-22. The electricity consumption is projected to rise to 8,041 GWh by 2050. In a high emission scenario, the source says, the district could record an 8% to 32% increase in rainfall by 2090, a 3.5°C rise in temperatures, more intense heatwaves and more extreme rainfall events. In this wake, the district has come up with a decarbonisation action plan to make the region climate-resilient, energy-efficient and economically inclusive. Key suggestions in the climate action plan include electrifying 500 intra-city buses by 2030, replacing around 2,000 diesel pumps with solar or electric pumps by 2030, and electrifying industrial heating and processes by 2050, with pilot efforts between 2030 and 2035. Environmentalist Saantha Kumar says public transport should fully move to electric vehicles, and that carpooling must be promoted more aggressively. “Large companies and industries should provide transport for employees, preferably through EV buses, to reduce individual vehicle use and emissions. Rooftop solar could be made mandatory for commercial establishments, and major corporations, industries, institutions and hospitals could be asked to generate at least part of energy required for them.” Another source says the district needs a clear route map to align electrification and solar adoption. “Among the most recommended measures are roof cooling through high-reflectivity solar reflectance index coating and rooftop solar installations in residential and commercial buildings.” C Prashanth, founder and director, Recompose Recycling Pvt Ltd, says the district needs adequate e-waste processing capacity. “The growth in e-waste generation must be matched by disposal and processing infrastructure. Strict enforcement of waste management rules is essential.” To institutionalize climate action, the district administration has, meanwhile, formed the Coimbatore Carbon Neutral Hub and signed a memorandum of understanding with ICLEI South Asia. A project management unit has also been set up at the district level. A stakeholder consultation meeting was held last week as part of the process. The initiative is linked to the state govt’s decarbonisation action plan for Coimbatore district under the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission. In Nov 2025, the state govt had released a detailed action plan and a real-time climate action tracker, which was developed by Vasudha Foundation, for Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar districts. The district administration is also preparing a five-year action plan, Coimbatore Vision, based on observations from the past five years and in consultation with various stakeholders, NGOs and environmentalists.
