Govt sets 2040 target for 100 per cent renewable energy, Thiruvananthapuram unveils ‘Green Budget’

Kerala has set an ambitious climate target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 without waiting for global climate agreements to dictate its pace. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the commitment while inaugurating the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation’s Seed Ball Project and releasing the city’s first Green Budget.

“This is not the time to wait for consensus at forums like COP29. We must act now,” Vijayan said, underlining that climate delays would have direct economic and ecological costs for the state.

The Green Budget outlines how local projects can cut carbon emissions and sets measurable goals, with Thiruvananthapuram becoming the first civic body in Kerala to adopt such a framework. Among the flagship measures: planting 14 lakh seed balls across the district, promoting electric public transport, and ramping up solar installations on government buildings.

The state is also targeting a complete shift to renewable energy by 2040, developing green hydrogen hubs, and advancing sustainable industrial policies based on ESG principles. A public engagement campaign, “Net Zero Carbon Keralam Janangalioode,” aims to bring citizens into the fold of climate action.

Kerala’s push stands out in the Indian context; few states have set firm, time-bound net-zero targets. The plan blends environmental conservation with economic strategy, positioning the state as a potential leader in the emerging low-carbon economy.

International agencies are taking note: a World Bank team has already met with the Chief Minister to explore collaboration on the state’s carbon-neutral initiatives.