Kerala, renowned for its rich biodiversity and high human development, has set a transformative target of achieving 100% reliance on renewable energy (RE) by 2040 and carbon neutrality by 2050 (CN50). By pursuing these goals, Kerala aims to achieve carbon neutrality  well ahead of India’s national 2070 net-zero target through a sustained energy transition and deep emission reductions across key emitting sectors, with natural carbon sinks playing a significant role in addressing residual emissions.

Although the State currently maintains a comparatively low-emission profile, with per capita emissions of 0.64 tCO₂e compared to the national average of 2.46 tCO₂e, sustaining this advantage and progressing towards carbon neutrality will require a comprehensive and transformative decarbonisation pathway.

To support this transition, the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Kerala, in partnership with Vasudha Foundation has developed the Carbon Neutral Pathway aimed at proposing sector-specific policy interventions for transitioning towards a low-carbon economy and achieving carbon neutrality in the State by 2050. The pathway provides an in-depth analysis of key emitting sectors and outlines potential pathways to carbon neutrality. Employing a comprehensive approach, it analyses current and historical emissions, evaluates the energy mix, projects future energy trajectories at the sectoral level, and presents a holistic decarbonisation plan tailored to the State’s specific needs. In addition, the pathway includes a focused analysis of the electricity sector, detailing targeted decarbonisation strategies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality in the State’s electricity needs.

Access the full report to explore Kerala’s roadmap to carbon neutrality, including the pathways and policy directions needed to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2040.