Telangana Chief Minister Advocates for National Climate Action Plan
In a significant address at the Mumbai Climate Conference, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy called for a comprehensive national strategy to tackle escalating climate emergencies. He outlined the state's ambitious vision to merge rapid economic growth with environmental sustainability, positioning Hyderabad as a model for climate-resilient urban development.
Hyderabad's Path to Becoming a Net Zero City
Revanth Reddy highlighted that Hyderabad is targeted to transform into a net zero city by 2034, making it the first in India to undertake a detailed carbon footprint audit as part of its development strategy. He stressed that major metropolitan areas, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, are facing severe climate pressures, necessitating urgent and coordinated policy actions.
Changing weather patterns have become a critical concern, with Hyderabad experiencing a sharp increase in extreme rainfall events post-Covid-19. The Chief Minister noted that while the average rainfall in Hyderabad was 2 cm in 24 hours until 2020, the city has since recorded up to 40 cm of rainfall within just two-hour periods, underscoring the urgency of climate adaptation measures.
Economic Growth Aligned with Environmental Goals
Revanth Reddy announced Telangana's economic targets, aiming to expand from approximately $200 billion currently to $1 trillion by 2034 and $3 trillion by 2047. He emphasized that governance priorities have shifted post-pandemic, with manufacturing, environmental protection, and sustainability now central to development plans.
To support this growth, the state is aggressively promoting renewable energy, with about 25% of its power currently sourced from green energy. He projected that energy demand in Telangana is expected to rise from 17,162 megawatts peak last year to over 34,000 megawatts by 2034, highlighting energy as the backbone of economic expansion.
Key Initiatives for Sustainable Urban Development
The Chief Minister detailed several initiatives aimed at reducing climate risks and ensuring sustainable urban growth:
- Tax exemptions for electric vehicles to encourage large-scale EV adoption in Hyderabad.
- Retrofitting over two lakh autorickshaws and converting more than 3,500 RTC buses to electric power.
- Expanding the Hyderabad Metro Rail network from 71 km to over 200 km.
- Environmental restoration projects, including rejuvenation of the Musi river and conservation of lakes and ponds.
- Creation of a dedicated environmental protection force, HYDRAA, to oversee these efforts.
Regional Development and Global Positioning
Revanth Reddy explained that the government plans to develop the peri-urban region economy zone into India's largest green energy-based manufacturing hub. This initiative aims to position Telangana as an alternative destination under the global 'China Plus One' strategy, attracting global investors, particularly in data centres and advanced industries, who are increasingly seeking green energy solutions.
He also indicated that industrial activity in the core urban region would be minimal over the next five years, in line with sustainable planning principles, to balance economic progress with ecological protection.
These measures collectively aim to mitigate climate risks, foster sustainable urban growth, and set a benchmark for other regions in India and beyond.
