WRI India co-designed and piloted a Climate Resilient Village model that brought solar streetlights, recycling programs and other climate solutions to 11 districts in southern India.

The Challenge

In Tamil Nadu, India’s southernmost state, rural coastal communities face increasing threats from climate change. Extreme heat has become a regular occurrence. So have frequent droughts, intense cyclones, flooding and coastal erosion. Those with limited access to clean water, sanitation and steady jobs have been disproportionally impacted.

WRI’s Role

WRI India partnered with the Tamil Nadu government to help design, research and implement the Climate Resilient Villages program, which helps communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.

We began by identifying key vulnerabilities and solutions through community assessments, stakeholder consultations, climate data analysis, LiDAR (light detection and ranging) mapping, drone surveys and more. The team developed feasibility reports, technical designs and cost estimates for flood- and drought-proofing measures, renewable energy, waste management and other solutions. WRI India also identified opportunities to work with government funding and established monitoring systems.

Serving as a critical bridge between communities, local governments, technical experts and the private sector, WRI India helped shape the Climate Resilient Villages program, which was then scaled across 11 districts.

The Outcome

The Climate Resilient Villages program has become a replicable, locally led model for climate adaptation. So far, it has helped nearly 2.7 million people across 11 districts in Tamil Nadu become more resilient to floods, droughts and escalating impacts.

Some of the solutions implemented include solar panel installations on public buildings, installing a water purification system at a local school, restoring a canal to reduce flooding, using electric boats for mangrove touring, and increasing green areas and trees to absorb stormwater. Women and historically marginalized groups gained jobs in solid waste management and plastic and glass recycling. Some work to create hatcheries for endangered species such as olive ridley turtles. The model also helped reduce emissions and ensure reliable power supply during storms and other disasters.

The government of Tamil Nadu has now integrated some of these solutions into its climate, green, wetlands and coastal restoration programs. This has ultimately helped to strengthen community resilience, protect ecosystems and inform the state’s broader climate adaptation strategy.