Global leaders at the conference pledge support for Jharkhand’s low carbon future
The conference ‘Sustainable Transition for Future-Ready Jharkhand’ culminated with a resounding call to synchronize efforts towards a just transition alongside achieving inclusive social development goals. The convergence of over 300 delegates spanning government officials, thought leaders, industry representatives and sustainability experts from 30 countries yielded pivotal recommendations. These include creating institutional financing mechanisms for driving transition measures, securing climate finance to propel green growth, fostering an enabling ecosystem to drive innovation, and nurturing partnerships across diverse stakeholders.
The event was organised by the Task Force on Sustainable Just Transition, Govt of Jharkhand with support from Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (India) and the World Resources Institute (India).
Addressing the conclave, Mr. Avinash Kumar (IAS), Development Commissioner & Additional Chief Secretary, Dept. of Energy (Govt. of Jharkhand) highlighted the critical need to embrace green growth through energy transition for advancement of inclusive future. He laid emphasis on delicately balancing societal expectations, environment preservation, and economic advancement in the transition process. He also suggested creating an institutional mechanism for sustainable transition. He assured that the state government will earnestly consider the recommendations from the conference to make these integral part of future course of actions.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ajoy Kumar Singh (IAS), Principal Secretary, Dept. of Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare (Govt. of Jharkhand) pointed out that the sustainable transition process in Jharkhand requires the procurement of climate finance to create new economic opportunities, build social infrastructure, drive technological innovations and inclusive development.
Ms. Vandana Dadel (IAS) Principal Secretary, Dept. of Forest, Environment & Climate Change (Govt. of Jharkhand) noted that sustainability and inclusivity are the core tenets of sustainable transition. Decentralised planning right from the panchayat level, inclusion of the indigenous knowledge in climate resilience measures and capacitation of community and multiple stakeholders are key to a shared journey towards transition.
While outlining the outcomes, Mr. A.K. Rastogi (IFS, Retd.), Chairperson, Task Force-Sustainable Just Transition (Govt. of Jharkhand) stressed that it has become abundantly clear that we are on the cusp of a profound shift towards a green economy. As outcomes, the conference has fostered collaborations, shared knowledge and laid emphasis on developing an institution mechanism for sustainable transition and creating a dedicated transition fund for accelerating future directions. Conference further put emphasis on creating a knowledge hub and a centre of excellence in Jharkhand. Now the need of the hour is to mobilize resources & expertise, undertake new pilot projects, enhance capacitations to meet the state’s goals.
Notable dignitaries from key departments & agencies who shared perspectives were: Mr. Aboobacker Siddique P. (IAS) Secretary, Dept. of Mines & Geology; Mr. Jitendra Kumar Singh (IAS), Secretary, Dept. of Industries; Mr. Arwa Rajkamal (IAS), Secretary, Dept. of ST, SC, Minority & Backward Class Welfare; Mr. Amit Kumar (IAS), Director, State Urban Development Agency, Jharkhand; Ms. Madhavi Mishra (IAS), Managing Director, Jharkhand Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation; Ms. Deepthi Jayaraj (IRS), Special Secretary, Department of Finance; and Mr. Sanjiv Kumar (IFS), APCCF-CAMPA, Jharkhand, etc.
Mr Ramapati Kumar, CEO of CEED highlighted that in light of the learnings from Global North and South, Jharkhand is developing cross-sectoral pathways and transition roadmaps to contribute in global effort on climate action. He further emphasized the necessity of inter-sectoral convergence and partnerships among key actors & enablers to facilitate a strategic shift for benefiting the people at the bottom of the pyramid.
The second day witnessed plenary and thematic sessions on ‘Driving Coal Transition: Avenues for Economic Diversification, Repurposing and Social Protection, Envisioning a Decarbonised Tomorrow: Pathways to the Low-Carbon Futures, Revolutionising Transport: Steering Towards a Sustainable Mobility, and Climate Finance: Levers and Drivers for Greening the Economy.
With representation from stakeholders including influential figures across the globe, public sector undertakings, industries and civil society underscored the creation of enabling policy atmosphere and investment frameworks to shape the journey towards sustainable transition.
The collaborative dialogue witnessed active participation from esteemed delegates representing a diverse array of organizations, including UNDP India, WRI India, the World Bank, International Labour Organization, Coal India Ltd., Central Coalfields Ltd., Steel Authority India Ltd., National Thermal Power Corporation, National Productivity Council, Indian Institute of Forest Management, GIZ-India, Open Energy Transition-Germany, International Council on Clean Transportation, International Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), iFOREST Global, The Climate Group, India Climate Collaborative, Climate Policy Institute, Climate Bond Initiative, among others.