Transition away from coal not likely in near future: Govt to RS

India’s transition away from coal or “just transition” will not happen in the foreseeable future, the Coal Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on December 11.

- Jayashree Nandi

In other responses during the winter session that ended Thursday, the coal ministry said it plans to open up several new coal mines.

The responses are significant, because, soon after, on December 13, at the COP28 climate conference, nearly 200 countries, including India agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Although India is expanding renewable/non-fossil-based energy, the share of coal in the energy basket is going to remain significant in years ahead to ensure affordable energy availability, accessibility, and energy security for sustainable development and poverty eradication, the coal ministry added on December 11, in its response to a question by YSR Congress Party leader and MP, S Niranjan Reddy on whether government has an estimate of the jobs lost due to closure of mines and other fossil fuel sectors; the implementation status of the Just Transition Project set up by the government with the World Bank; and whether government intends to adopt a “Just Transition Policy” that is in alignment with the Paris Agreement for protecting and supporting workers affected by job losses resulting from the push towards green energy.

“In India, the transition away from coal or Just Transition is not happening in foreseeable future. Although India is pushing for renewable/non-fossil-based energy, but the share of coal in the energy basket is going to remain significant in years ahead to ensure affordable energy availability, accessibility, and energy security to enable sustainable development and poverty eradication,” the ministry said in its response.