The Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (DoECC), Department of Environment, Government of Kerala, in partnership with Vasudha Foundation, has prepared the Kerala GHG Inventory Report (Version 2), assessing the State’s anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2005 to 2023. Developed as part of the implementation framework of the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC 2.0), this updated edition builds upon Kerala’s first comprehensive GHG inventory, released in 2024, which had assessed emissions from 2005 to 2021. By extending the time series to 2023, the report serves as an updated baseline for climate change mitigation planning. It incorporates the latest available datasets, revised emission estimates, and methodological improvements to enhance the accuracy and completeness of Kerala’s emissions profile. In addition to extending the time series, the report revises selected emission categories, incorporates new categories where relevant, and updates forest carbon sequestration estimates using the latest available data.

Key Insights

• The GHG emission inventory from 2005 to 2023 covers five main sectors, Energy, IPPU (Industrial Processes and Product Use), Agriculture, LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry) and Waste. It includes all relevant sub-sectors and categories, capturing emissions of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O for a comprehensive year-on-year assessment.
• In 2023, Kerala’s gross emissions (excluding LULUCF) were 25.60 Million tonnes Carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e), marking an 8.6% increase from the 2005 level of 23.60 MtCO₂e, while the Net emissions (including LULUCF, i.e. adjusting emissions with sinks) increased from 10.05 MtCO₂e in 2005 to 10.99 MtCO₂e in 2023.
• The key categories contributing to Kerala’s gross emissions were Transport, Residential Energy, Industrial Energy, and Domestic Wastewater, together accounting for 80.17%, in 2023.
• Energy sector emerged as the largest source of emissions in the State, during the reference period emitting 20.64 MtCO₂e which accounted for ~81% of the State’s total Gross GHG emissions in 2023. Transport led the sector with ~66%, followed by residential and industrial energy use.
• The Waste sector was the second largest emitter in Kerala contributing 1.92 MtCO₂e in 2023 and accounting for ~7% of the Gross GHG emissions. In 2023, Domestic Wastewater accounted for 96.14% of the waste sector emissions, followed by Industrial Wastewater at 2.16% and Municipal Solid Waste at 1.70%.
• The Agriculture sector was the third-largest emitter in Kerala, contributing 1.57 MtCO₂e in 2023, accounting for approximately 6% of the State’s Gross GHG emissions (excluding LULUCF). The livestock sub sector was the primary contributor to agricultural emissions accounting for ~70% on average throughout the reference period.
• The IPPU sector contributed to 1.47 MtCO₂e emissions in 2023 accounting for ~6% of the Gross GHG Emissions (excluding LULUCF). Chemical industry alone emitted 1.20 MtCO₂e, in 2023 accounting for 82% of the total IPPU sector emissions.
• LULUCF remained a net carbon sink, sequestering an average of 15.59 MtCO₂e throughout the reference period. In 2023, it offset 57% of Kerala’s gross emissions (excluding LULUCF).

Way forward

Based on the mitigation potential assessment of the State, the mitigation strategies envisaged in the SAPCC 2.0 aim at a reduction of ~57,000 ktCO₂ in 2030. Moreover, there are various policy interventions existing in the State that can be aligned with such target strategies to leverage the collective momentum. This report is expected to establish a fundamental link with all such endeavours in the State towards the 2050 target. Further to this assessment, the pathways for carbon neutrality shall be prepared to supplement the findings.

• Carbon Neutral Kerala 2050 initiative envisages net zero emissions by 2050.
• Eco Restoration Policy 2021 envisages the restoration of monoculture plantations inside forests.
• Mission LiFE envisages an environmentally conscious lifestyle at the national level.
• Electric Vehicle Policy Kerala 2019 envisages electric mobility as a tool to promote shared mobility and clean transportation to ensure environment sustainability.
• Energy Conservation (Building Code) Rules 2017 defines norms of energy performance for various building components, taking into consideration the climatic region.

About this publication

Suggested citation: DoECC and Vasudha Foundation, 2026 Kerala GHG Inventory Report Version 2 (2005-2023)-Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Department of Environment, Government of Kerala.
Published: June 2026  
Publisher: Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Kerala and Vasudha Foundation  
Pages: 190