Tamil Nadu govt.’s climate body earns global recognition in Earthshot Prize report

The Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company, a special purpose vehicle of the State government to coordinate climate action, has found a place among leading global models for climate action in a new report released by The Earthshot Prize in collaboration with Arup.

The report, “Champions of Change: How Cities and Regions are Designing a Low Carbon, Climate-Resilient Future,” highlights 11 public-sector innovations worldwide that offer a practical blueprint for tackling climate change. 

Among them is the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company’s (TNGCC) Climate Action for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies (CARES), recognised under the “Protect and Restore Nature” category.

Selected from over 130 global initiatives, the Tamil Nadu model was commended for its institutional design and ability to coordinate climate action across departments. The report notes that the initiative brings together more than 30 government departments under a Section 8 not-for-profit structure to deliver large-scale, cross-sectoral climate interventions. 

The CARES initiative is described as India’s first government-backed climate company integrating wetlands, forests, coastal ecosystems and district-level missions to build resilience and restore biodiversity. 

The recognition places Tamil Nadu alongside global cities and regions such as Oslo, Bogotá and London, which have been cited in the report for their innovations in climate governance, clean air policies and sustainable urban planning.

According to the report, cities and regions are emerging as key drivers of climate action, despite challenges such as fragmented governance, funding gaps and limited technical capacity. It argues that local governments are uniquely placed to deliver scalable solutions by aligning policy, finance and implementation at the ground level. 

The Tamil Nadu entry is featured in detail in the report, positioning the State as a significant contributor to evolving models of climate governance and resilience-building at scale.