Chief Minister's Green Fellowship Programme The Chief Minister's Green Fellowship Programme is a first-of-its-kind Government- led initiative in India that seeks to empower young professionals to contribute to climate action, environmental sustainability and grassroots development. The programme provides an opportunity for young leaders to work closely with district administrations, local communities and government institutions, while supporting the implementation of Tamil Nadu's environmental and climate initiatives. Institute for Energy Studies, Anna University To further strengthen the knowledge, skills and professional capabilities of the Green Fellows, the Government of Tamil Nadu has partnered with the Institute for Energy Studies, Anna University, to offer an exclusive Post Graduate Diploma in Climate Change and Sustainability. Post Graduate Diploma in Climate Change and Sustainability Post Graduate Diploma in Climate Change and Sustainability which is designed exclusively for the Green Fellows under the Chief Minister's Green Fellowship Programme (CMGFP), is launched at Anna University, Chennai on 16th June 2026. The diploma programme has been designed to equip Fellows with a comprehensive understanding of climate science, environmental governance, sustainability, climate policy, natural resource management and emerging environmental challenges. The curriculum covers key areas including climate change mitigation and adaptation, clean energy technologies, climate-resilient urban planning, carbon accounting, carbon markets, climate finance, disaster risk reduction, pollution control technologies, ESG frameworks, environmental management and corporate sustainability. The programme follows a multidisciplinary and practice-oriented approach, combining academic learning with field experience gained through the Fellowship. A major highlight of the course is the project thesis component, through which Fellows will work on real-world climate and sustainability challenges under the guidance of academic experts and government practitioners. Structured as a 42-credit, three-semester programme, the diploma is aligned with globally recognised frameworks including the IPCC Assessment Reports, the Paris Agreement, India's Nationally Determined Contributions, the Sendai Framework, GHG Protocol and other internationally accepted sustainability standards. The blended learning model has been specifically designed to enable Green Fellows to pursue academic learning while continuing their field responsibilities. The launch of the Post Graduate Diploma in Climate Change and Sustainability marks yet another significant step in Tamil Nadu's efforts to invest in youth leadership and build long-term capacity for climate action, environmental governance and sustainable development. Source: DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai – 9 (Press Release No: 247)