ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

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Just Transition in Coal

A Perspective from Jharkhand

The article discusses why it is an imperative for India to begin deliberation on a just transition from coal in light of some of the compelling factors. It then evaluates what a just transition in India might entail building on an on-ground study of a coal district in Jharkhand, one of India’s top coal mining states. And finally, it outlines the planning and policy considerations that will be necessary to support a just transition.

 

Over the past two decades, a gro­wing body of research on climate change has made it clear that a shift away from the fossil fuel economy is inevitable. This will entail a system transition in electricity generation, based on renewable energy sources and simultaneous phasing out of coal-based power by 2050 (IPCC 2018).

However, there are socio-economic consequences of such a transition that cannot be overlooked. A fundamental concern is about the fate of fossil fuel indu­stry workers and local communities who are dependent on it. Just transition as a policy and planning concept tries to address this. Originally advocated by lab­our unions (Galgóczi 2018), and later merging with the broader debate on envi­ronmental justice, the concept under­scores the need of ensuring social justice in the shift towards a low-carbon, or a carbon-neutral future (Morena et al 2019).

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Updated On : 18th Jul, 2021
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