Tamil Nadu Unveils 12-Step Cool Roof Plan to Cut Urban Temperatures by Up to 8°C

With cities across India experiencing increasingly intense heatwaves and soaring temperatures, Tamil Nadu has launched India’s first state-level Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for cool roof coating applications , offering a structured blueprint to reduce urban heat stress and improve climate resilience.

The framework was unveiled on World Environment Day by Environment Minister V Rajeev and Forests Minister R V Ranjithkumar . Developed by the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC) and the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and SEEDS Technical Services , the SOP establishes a standardized 12-stage implementation model for homes, schools, and public buildings.

At the core of the initiative is the use of high solar-reflective roof coatings that can lower roof surface temperatures by 6–8°C , reduce indoor temperatures by 4–5°C , and decrease cooling energy demand by up to 20 per cent , according to official estimates.

The SOP goes beyond policy guidance by laying out a detailed implementation framework. It covers building assessments, roof suitability studies, material selection, coating application, quality control measures, worker safety protocols, maintenance schedules, and long-term performance monitoring. Officials said the framework is designed to help government departments, urban local bodies, schools, and public institutions adopt cool-roof solutions using a uniform methodology.

Tamil Nadu has already piloted the concept through its Cool Roof Initiative in 300 government schools under the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission Action Plan 2025-26 . The project recorded noticeable reductions in classroom temperatures and helped shape the state’s latest policy framework.

A key feature of the SOP is its focus on scientific evaluation. Authorities plan to conduct pre- and post-installation monitoring of temperature, humidity, and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) , a globally accepted measure of heat stress, to assess the effectiveness of interventions.

The initiative also reflects growing collaboration between governments and technical partners. Alongside UNEP , SEEDS Technical Services has contributed expertise in implementation planning, training, field assessments, and monitoring systems. Lessons from the UNEP-supported “Be Cool” programme have also been incorporated into the framework.

The cool-roof strategy forms part of Tamil Nadu’s broader climate adaptation agenda, which includes Urban Heat Island assessments , urban cooling guidelines, and heat-risk mapping. Experts say future urban cooling efforts will require a combination of cool roofs, urban forests, green infrastructure, climate-responsive design, and smart heat mapping technologies .

Although the state has not announced a dedicated budget for statewide rollout, officials expect future projects to be funded through existing climate-action programmes, departmental allocations, municipal initiatives, and development partnerships. As extreme heat becomes a growing urban challenge, Tamil Nadu’s pioneering SOP could serve as a model for cities across India.