Kerala's ambitious Pachathuruthu, green space/mini forest, project, touted as the cornerstone of the state's net zero carbon emissions target, faces significant challenges in achieving its lofty goals. A critical review of the initiative reveals that while commendable, the project's impact on carbon sequestration falls far short of what's needed to offset Kerala's substantial emissions.
The Pachathuruthu project, launched in 2019, aims to green barren land by planting trees and native plants to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide. In five years, it has expanded from a modest six-cent plot to cover 856.23 acres. However, even if the project reaches its target of developing 1,000 Pachathuruthus across the state, its carbon sequestration potential remains minimal compared to Kerala's overall emissions.
Kerala's energy consumption for 2022-23 resulted in approximately 3.5 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Petroleum products constitute the largest share at 64%, followed by electricity, coal, and gas. To offset these emissions through tree planting alone, Kerala would need to plant at least six billion trees, requiring 55 million acres of land - five times the state's geographic area. This is clearly unfeasible, given that the total land available for non-agricultural use, miscellaneous crops, marshy lands, and social forestry is less than 1.16 million acres.
The carbon sequestration potential of trees is limited. Young trees absorb about 5.9 kg of CO₂ per year, while mature trees can absorb around 22 kg annually. Considering the growth observed in the Pachathuruthu project, it is projected to cover a maximum of 5,000 acres by 2050. This would result in an estimated annual CO₂ absorption of between 12,000 and 20,000 tonnes by 2050 - a mere fraction of the state's total emissions.
In contrast, energy efficiency initiatives offer a more promising path towards emissions reduction. A draft plan prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industry indicates a potential reduction of 470 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2031 through various energy efficiency measures, with an estimated investment of Rs 4,453 crores. This highlights the need to prioritize energy sector interventions over relying solely on tree-planting initiatives.
Moreover, achieving net zero emissions involves more than just sequestering carbon dioxide. Other greenhouse gases, particularly methane, which has a significantly higher global warming potential than CO₂, must also be addressed. Major methane sources in Kerala include livestock, rice paddies, landfills, and reservoirs associated with hydroelectric plants and dams. Ignoring these sources undermines the credibility of any carbon neutrality strategy.
The Pachathuruthu project's limitations underscore the importance of developing a more comprehensive and realistic approach to achieving net zero emissions. While tree planting is a positive step, it must be integrated with broader, systemic changes to have a meaningful environmental impact. Energy efficiency improvements should be the primary focus, complemented by efforts to reduce emissions from all sectors and address all greenhouse gases.
To move towards its net zero goal, Kerala needs to initiate actions to assess present-day emissions in each sector and monitor changes from this benchmark annually. This approach, rather than making ambitious claims without proper scientific assessment, will provide a more accurate picture of progress and help identify the most effective strategies for emissions reduction.
While Kerala's Pachathuruthu project is a commendable initiative, it cannot singularly drive the state to net zero carbon emissions. A diversified strategy encompassing energy efficiency, emissions reduction across all sectors, and consideration of all greenhouse gases is essential for Kerala to make meaningful progress towards its environmental goals.
