Ranchi, 03 December 2022: The Task Force for Sustainable Just Transition held a consultation meeting with representatives of key industries of the state today to receive their inputs and suggestions on Term of Reference (TOR) in light of its overall objectives and mandates defined by the State Government. The meeting was attended by top leaders of key industries and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) largely working under the fossil fuel based ecosystems, who lauded the initiative taken by the State Government on constituting the task force and further pledged their support for steps towards low carbon pathway in Jharkhand.
Addressing the consultation, Mr A. K. Rastogi (IFS, Retd.), Chairman of the Task Force on Sustainable Just Transition said that, “Industry sector has an important role to contribute in achieving net-zero target and climate commitments by reducing emissions and shifting towards innovative technological changes, best sustainable practices and decarbonisation efforts in their work operation. Since the industry and business sector is the key driver of the economy and crucial for growth and employment generation, the task force is taking a collaborative process to on-board these stakeholders to finalise the TOR to further prepare a roadmap for a sustainable and forward looking economy in the state.” He further added that in light of India’s net-zero goals by 2070 and a 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030, fossil fuel dependent sectors have to redefine and reinvent themselves for supporting greener development pathways in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ramapati Kumar, CEO of Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) said that, ‘Commitment to the green transition would encourage industries and investors to move towards a progressive ecosystem that will help in reducing the risk perceptions and unlock greater potential. Also, an efficient climate governance with strong institutional and public participation and convergence among different actors will immensely contribute in achieving sustainable and just transition in the state.”
The key pointers for the framework that suggested by the industries were as follows; commitment towards carbon emission reduction targets in a time bound and result oriented manner, energy security mapping and renewable energy integration, sustainable mobility, increase usage of alternative fuels and green technologies, infrastructure support for carbon storage, sequestration and utilisation, harnessing green finance and carbon market, incentivization for industries in achieving emission target, providing sustainable livelihood options, diversification of local economy for benefits of communities, and subsequent policy changes etc.
This consultation was a part of a series of meetings the task force is undertaking with key stakeholders such as industries, business sectors, think-tanks, civil society organisations, workers and communities to finalise the priorities and area of work. The meeting was attended by prominent public sector units e.g. CCL, Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), Damodar Valley Corporation, leading corporates like Tata Steel, Tata Power, Hindalco, Jindal Steel, Adani Industries, etc from the state.