Industry leaders and policymakers have issued a clear directive: adopting green manufacturing practices is no longer optional but a critical business necessity for Tamil Nadu to maintain its competitive edge and boost exports. This consensus emerged at a seminar hosted by the Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Chennai on Wednesday.
UK-Tamil Nadu Partnership Drives Climate Action Agenda
Highlighting the global dimension of this shift, British Deputy High Commissioner Shalini Medepalli outlined several areas for deepening UK–Tamil Nadu collaboration on climate initiatives. She mentioned ongoing work on a green rating framework for industries, potential in offshore wind energy development, and innovative projects like digital-twin–based urban mobility planning. A significant proposal on the table is the establishment of a dedicated Centre for Heat Resilience.
The conference, organized in partnership with FaMeTN, the UK government, Auroville Consulting, and COSIDICI, served as a platform to align policymakers, industry representatives, and specialists on advancing the state's green-growth and decarbonisation roadmap.
State Incentives and MSME Preparedness for Global Markets
On the domestic support front, G Raveendran, Deputy Director of the MSME department, detailed the state government's active role in facilitating this transition. He revealed that Tamil Nadu provides a substantial 25% capital subsidy for the adoption of green technologies. Beyond financial aid, the state offers support for energy audits, specialised training, and hands-on implementation assistance. More than 1,000 MSMEs have already benefited from these subsidised audits and subsequent technology upgrades, he added.
Urgent Call to Action for Small and Medium Enterprises
Hans Raj Varma, Director General of COSIDICI, delivered a pointed message to the MSME sector, urging them to proactively prepare for impending global carbon regulations. He specifically cited the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and India's own emerging carbon market as key reasons to act now.
Varma outlined a practical checklist for businesses: begin measuring product-level carbon footprints, accelerate the shift to rooftop solar power, embrace circular-economy business models, and fundamentally integrate sustainability into both financial planning and daily operational decisions. This holistic approach, experts argued, is vital for Tamil Nadu's industries to remain resilient and attractive in an increasingly eco-conscious global marketplace.
