Just Transition in India: An inquiry into the challenges and opportunities for a post-coal future

Chandra Bhushan · Srestha Banerjee · Shruti Agarwal

Nov 2020 · Sustainability Innovations and Advisories Pvt Ltd

About this eBook

Coal, the backbone of India’s energy and industrial sector, is the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. However, the future of coal is becoming uncertain in the face of climate change concerns. Coal power is also losing its edge due to the decline of renewable energy prices and rising environmental pollution control costs. Coal phase-out, therefore, seems to be an inevitability. But coal is an important source of income for millions of people and drives the economy in India’s coal mining states and districts. In the coming years, how can these people and regions transition away from the coal economy? Just Transition has emerged as concept globally to ensure that coal-dependent communities and regions do not become the victims of coal phase-out. It has also been included as a key component of the Paris Agreement. This book aims to understand what just transition means for India, detailing the risks and opportunities of coal phase-out. It builds on an in-depth research of a top coal mining district of Jharkhand, where many coal mines are already closed. It also proposes what coal mining districts and governments should do to plan for a just transition. Being the first case study from India, it offers an important perspective of the global South on just transition.

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About the author

Chandra Bhushan is one of India’s foremost public policy experts and the founder-CEO of International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST)

A public policy professional, Srestha Banerjee's core interest lies in improving environment and resource governance, and securing community rights through an interface of strong research and advocacy. She is currently leading natural resource management and climate justice work at iFOREST.

Shruti works at the intersection of vulnerable communities, resource management and climate change at iFOREST.