Parties Urged To Include Key Environmental Issues in Manifestos

Chennai: With the Tamil Nadu assembly elections just months away, political parties have begun preparing their manifestos, outlining key promises and policy priorities. Against this backdrop, the environmental organisation 'Poovulagin Nanbargal' has appealed to the political parties to incorporate comprehensive policies addressing climate change, environmental protection, and conservation of natural resources in their manifestos.

Continuing a practice it has followed during previous parliamentary and assembly elections, the organisation announced that it will release its “Environmental Election Manifesto” after consultations with like-minded groups, scientists, social movements, and environmental activists. The initiative is based on the principle that electoral promises should include time-bound and actionable plans to tackle the growing climate crisis and ecological degradation.

During the 2021 assembly elections, several political parties incorporated key recommendations from the environmental manifesto into their documents. Following its electoral victory, the DMK government issued government orders and implemented certain projects aligned with the demands raised by environmental groups, according to 'Poovulagin Nanbargal'.

The renewed call for climate-focused electoral commitments comes against the backdrop of increasing extreme weather events in Tamil Nadu. The report 'Climate India 2024: An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events', released by the Centre for Science and Environment, notes a rise in cyclones, floods, droughts, heatwaves, and lightning incidents linked to global warming.

Over the past 10 years, the state government has requested Rs 24,679.77 crore from the Union government to repair the damages caused by disasters like floods, droughts, heavy rains, and cyclones in our state. To reduce the severity of these impacts, it is essential for the Tamil Nadu government to prioritize and advance more environment-centric projects.

Environmentalists argue that while post-disaster relief and compensation are essential, long-term mitigation and adaptation strategies must be prioritised to reduce vulnerability. They stress the need for policies on water management, wetland restoration, sustainable urban planning, coastal protection, renewable energy expansion, and climate-resilient agriculture.

Observers note that environmental issues have increasingly begun to influence voting behaviour in the State. A 2024 study titled 'First-time Voters’ Perceptions on Climate Education in India' found that a significant section of young voters in Tamil Nadu consider climate change an important electoral issue. According to the survey, 52.2% of first-time voters said they would choose a party or candidate based on the importance given to climate change and environmental solutions.

With climate-related disasters imposing mounting economic and social costs, environmental groups are urging political parties to move beyond general assurances and present measurable commitments. As parties prepare their manifestos in the run-up to the elections, climate resilience and ecological sustainability are expected to feature more prominently in public discourse, reflecting both scientific warnings and changing voter priorities.