Authors: Dr. S. Jeyalakshmi
Abstract: Climate change has emerged as an important constraint on sustainable economic development. Economic growth can improve income, employment, infrastructure and access to social services, but rapid growth may also increase pressure on natural resources, energy demand and the environment. This study examines the relationship between climate change, economic growth and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) achievement in Tamil Nadu, India. Tamil Nadu provides an important case because it combines relatively high economic growth and strong social development with increasing exposure to climate-related risks such as drought, floods, cyclones, heat stress and water scarcity. The study uses secondary data from the Government of Tamil Nadu, NITI Aayog, the Department of Economics and Statistics, and other official sources. The analysis focuses on trends in economic growth, overall SDG achievement and climate action. The climate change represents a continuing risk to the sustainability of this growth, particularly through its effects on agriculture, water resources, infrastructure, labour productivity and urban systems. The study finds that economic growth should therefore be viewed as a necessary but insufficient condition for SDG achievement. Climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green employment and district-level SDG planning are required to ensure that economic growth translates into long-term sustainable development.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22304107
