Category Archives: Thematic Areas

Livelihood Transition

Thematic Areas

Livelihood Transition

In many fossil fuel-dependent regions, the local economy revolves around coal and its allied industries. For a shift towards a net-zero scenario, any unplanned closure of mines or absence of environmental remediations can create socio-economic disruptions. This may directly or indirectly affect the local ecosystem created by the coal supply chain. This also poses risks for coal workers and particularly contractual/unorganised labourers. Understanding what these impacts may be and how to manage them is essential. Broadly, it requires careful planning and suitable interventions to develop an alternative pathway.

The Task Force is conducting studies and identifying the emerging sectors in the local economy, and mapping of required skill sets for the newer jobs in the clean/green sector for sustainable livelihood purposes.

Key Objectives

Development of a State Livelihood Action Plan for inclusive transition with a focus on identifying new opportunities and redeveloping the coal-dominated districts through an economic diversification plan.

Assessment of green jobs with skilling and re-skilling plan for Jharkhand to enable future growth.

Alternative livelihood assessment of vulnerable communities/unorganised sector/informal economy in coal-rich districts.

Energy Transition

Thematic Areas

Energy Transition

Jharkhand is an ideal case for enabling a just energy transition, as it is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels and thermal power for its energy needs. The state has immense resources and opportunities to enable an energy transition towards more efficient and cleaner forms of energy generation and consumption. Therefore, it is vital to envision comprehensive long-term energy transition pathways considering the local characteristics of the state.

The Task Force is conducting long-term energy transition assessments and modelling analyses to better inform long-term planning, policy-making, and development of a decision-support tool.

Key Objectives

Long-term energy demand projections by creating baseline scenarios and comprehensive mapping of the current energy system across Jharkhand. The projections consider various factors such as electrification in transportation, industry, and other sectors.

Renewable energy potential assessments for all commercially available renewable energy technologies to meet energy security goals.

Jharkhand-specific energy model based on techno-economic factors will be built to assess various long-term energy transition scenarios.

Socio-economic assessments of the different energy transition pathways for enabling sustainable just transition policies in Jharkhand.

Decarbonisation

Thematic Areas

Decarbonisation

Jharkhand is largely an industrialised state. It is a critical industrial hub for hard-to-abate industries and home to many mineral resources which are important for sustainable growth in the country and the state in particular. The industrial sector has seen increasing GHG emissions that ultimately contribute to climate impacts resulting socio-economic challenges.

For decarbonising the industries and other sectors, the Task Force is developing a roadmap that encompasses robust strategies, technological advancements, and frameworks tailored to local context, aiming to achieve net- zero emissions and contribute to India’s climate actions.

Key Objectives

State Decarbonisation Plan with a cross-sectoral framework to ensure a low carbon development pathway for Jharkhand to achieve its net-zero goals.

Dedicated decarbonisation pathways/action plans for MSMEs and hard-to-abate industries in achieving net-zero goals.

Development of a carbon-related business strategy for the state to support new opportunities to meet climate goals.

Green Hydrogen

Thematic Areas

Green Hydrogen Mission

Nearly 75 percent of the districts in Jharkhand have a significant presence in the coal ecosystem and hard-to- abate industries. Jharkhand, being the most climate-vulnerable state in India, could be an interesting case to study the decarbonisation process for mitigating the impacts of climate change using green hydrogen (Green H 2 ).

The Government of Jharkhand has recognised the potential of green hydrogen and has formed a ‘Green Hydrogen Sub-Task Force’ under the broader Sustainable Just Transition Task Force with a mandate to create an action plan for implementing the green hydrogen mission in the state. As a part of the work, the Task Force is studying the potential of the Green Hydrogen ecosystem/hub in the state.

Key Objectives

Develop a roadmap and action plan: To develop a roadmap for implementing green H 2 in the state and outline the steps needed to facilitate the creation of an H 2 hub which will support the overall transition process.

Facilitate decarbonisation: Sectoral mapping of demands and supply of Green H 2 in Jharkhand.

Coal Transition

Thematic Areas

Coal Transition

Coal resources have historically played a central role in the economic development and livelihoods in Jharkhand. In the wake of net-zero scenarios and climate goals, The transition from fossil fuel to a non-fossil fuel economy will bring a new challenge to the state because 75% of the districts are dominated by coal. The coal transition places the need for efficient design and technology adaptation in coal mine operation, sustainable mine closure measures and economic diversification plans for identified regions in the state.

The Task Force is studying and developing a detailed framework of the coal transition scenarios to identify and attract greener livelihood opportunities through the repurposing, reclamation, and rehabilitation of the coal mines.

Key Objectives

Development of a state-level coal transition roadmap with a focus on a decade-wise strategic transition that outlines the process and policy for coal mines and coal-dependent industries.

Sustainable mine closure for de-commissioned/abandoned/deserted coal mines based on sustainability principles, environment-friendly usage, land and environmental restoration etc. to facilitate the green transition.

Economic diversification plan: A district-level plan for 13 coal-dominated districts will help in scoping new avenues and employment opportunities for the local community along with their social security

Sustainable Mobility

Thematic Areas

Sustainable Mobility Transition

In Jharkhand, the industries sector is responsible for the bulk of the GHG emissions, and the transport sector accounts for about 5 percent of the total GHG emissions of the state.  However, the energy required for the transport sector makes up nearly 45 percent of the final energy demand. For a low-carbon transport and energy efficient mobility scenario with a sustainable approach, cleaner energy, fuels and technological supports hold the key.

The Task Force aims to develop a transition plan in the transport and automobile sector to increasingly encourage the sustainable mobility options for the state.

Key Objectives

Sustainable mobility plan: An action plan for a sustainable transport transition will entail considering the sector’s various facets, emerging technologies, and recommending policies.

Investment and Finance

Thematic Areas

Investment and Finance

Given the urgency of climate action, access to sustainable & green finance is key for materialising the transition plan in Jharkhand. By embracing a dedicated strategy and roadmap for climate finance and investments, the state can proactively address the urgent climate crisis while fostering a fair and sustainable future for all its residents.

The Task Force is developing an enabling framework to attract international funding, support SDGs, foster green technology innovation, create employment opportunities, and ensure long-term economic and social stability for the state.

Key Objectives

Assessing cost of coal transition: In the light of developing an economic path away from fossil fuels, it is imperative to know the cost of transition and develop an investment framework to make sure that the Jharkhand economy is future-ready in the true sense.

Fiscal analysis: An analysis of the revenue and capital receipts and expenditure for Jharkhand including development expenditure done on social activities and the current situation of overall state finances to determine the gaps in meeting the economic goals in new scenarios.

Fossil fuel dependence analysis: Analysis of the state’s dependence on fossil fuels-based revenues and help the state identify alternative forms of revenues and attract new investment to meet SDGs.

Climate finance framework: Analysis and creation of a framework of different green/climate financing options and instruments available for the state to transition for different activities. This will also include mechanisms necessary for the state and districts to access green/climate finance.

Capacity building of financial institutions: To build the capacity of state-level actors in state-level budgeting with a new alternative form of revenues and provide support in identifying avenues of finance for energy transition both from public and private sources.

Institutional Framework

Thematic Areas

Institutional Framework

For strengthening the overall awareness and developing a convergent approach to take the lead on planning and implementation of sustainable transition, capacitation of key stakeholders is important. This will pave the way for required ecosystem or policy-related changes with a forward-looking approach to attain the development goals.

The Task Force is developing an institutional framework to bring coordinated efforts to facilitate the implementation of a sustainable transition roadmap in a multi-stakeholder setting.

Key Objectives

Development of an institutional framework to support sustainable just transition in Jharkhand

Documentation of best learnings across the world and in India to recommend proper policy interventions to support transition in Jharkhand.

Identifying ecosystem change with policy change-related inputs: Recommend new policy inputs/ initiatives with a cross-sectoral approach to infrastructure development, investment and a new set of industries with a green ecosystem.

Capacity Development of enablers/stakeholders: Handholding support and Capacitation building plan for government departments and stakeholders.

Framework for the establishment of the Centre of Excellence