The path-breaking vision document unravels the strategic approach of the sustainable transition
A Vision Document on Sustainable Just Transition ‘नव-निर्माण की ओर अग्रसर (Nav-Nirman Ki Ore Agrasar)’ was unveiled today by Shri Sukhdev Singh (IAS), Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand in gracious presence of Shri Amrit Lal Meena (IAS), Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India, Shri L. Khiangte (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change (GoJ), Shri A.K. Rastogi (IFS Retd.), Chairman, Task Force on Sustainable Just Transition (GoJ), Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, IFS (PCCF & HoFF, Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change), Shri Shashikar Samanta, IFS (Chairman, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board), and other senior officials from key departments of Jharkhand.
The launch event cum conference was organised by the Task Force on Sustainable Just Transition (GoJ) and its technical partner Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) in association with the Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change and Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board. The vision document outlines the strategic approach of the sustainable just transition process and intends to lay the foundation of the low-carbon development pathways for the state.
Addressing the conference, Shri Sukhdev Singh (IAS), Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand said that ‘This moment marks a groundbreaking initiative in our policy planning, as we set out on a transformative path towards sustainable development. The State Government believes that no one should be left behind in the sustainable transition. We aim to support India’s leadership in addressing energy security and socio-economic interests by forging a convergence of efforts towards a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient economy at both the national and state levels. We congratulate the task force for bringing out the vision document to outline the way forward in heralding growth, inclusiveness and social advancements in the state.’
The vision for the sustainable transition is guided by India’s ambitions towards a low carbon economy and sustainable development goals. The vision document has been prepared through a consultative process and is based on the perspectives from inter-departmental meetings and stakeholders consultations.
Pledging support to the process of sustainable transition and addressing the conference via online, Shri Amrit Lal Meena, IAS (Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India) said that, “Jharkhand has become a beacon for other states by showcasing sustainable transition strategies. Congratulations to the State Government and task force for this pioneering initiative. Energy transition is vital for a low carbon economy, with coal’s role remaining significant in future. We wholeheartedly support the state’s journey towards sustainable energy transition pathways.’
Elaborating on the broader intent of the vision document, Shri A.K. Rastogi (IFS Retd.), Chairman, Task Force on Sustainable Just Transition (GoJ) said, ‘The vision document follows a structured approach through engaging in bottom-up planning, collaborating with research partners, and drawing inspiration from best practices around the globe. It provides a holistic approach with focus on thematic areas e.g. livelihood
transition, energy transition, decarbonisation pathways, coal transition, sustainable mobility transition, green hydrogen, investment & finance and institutional framework to develop a cross-sectoral roadmap for future- ready Jharkhand. It prioritises people-centric policy interventions and a cohesive integration of environmental, social, and economic aspirations in the state.’
Emphasising the need of convergence approach in a multi-stakeholder setting, Shri Ramapati Kumar, CEO of CEED said that, ‘The vision document stands as a bold and farsighted initiative, presenting a comprehensive climate governance approach for the state. It highlights the imperative of a sustainable transition to chart a path toward a resilient future that complements national and global climate change endeavours. Essential to this process is inter-departmental and inter-sectoral convergence to foster climate-compatible growth. CEED is committed to provide solution-driven knowledge support to facilitate the state’s journey towards becoming a forward-looking economy.’
The conference witnessed participation of senior officers from key state departments and agencies, Mr. Aboobacker Siddique P., IAS (Secretary, Department of Mines & Geology and Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative), Shri Chandra Shekhar, IAS (Secretary, Department of Rural Development), Shri Prashant Kumar, IAS (Secretary, Department of Planning & Development); Shri Sanjeev Besra, IAS (Labour Commissioner), Shri Y. K. Das, IFS (Member-Secretary, JSPCB), Dr. D.K. Saxena (APCCF, Dept of Forest) and Shri P.K. Hazari (Special Secretary, Department of Agriculture), etc. They collectively emphasised the need of enabling a convergence approach for sectoral transition and sustainable growth trajectory for the state.
The technical sessions (Industries as Catalyst for Sustainable Just Transition and Enabling Transition in Jharkhand : Challenges & Opportunities) were attended by stalwarts of industries, public sector undertaking and think-tanks, who lauded and supported the vision document for guiding the future course of actions.
Chief among these dignitaries were; Shri Ram Naresh Singh (Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation), Shri Manoj Kumar (CMD, Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Ltd), Shri Uwe Gehlen, (Head of Economic Cooperation and Development, India Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany), Shri Atanu Bhowmick (Director In-Charge, Bokaro Steel Plant & Rourkela Steel Plant, SAIL), Shri R.B. Prasad (Director-Technical & Operations, Central Coalfield Ltd), Shri S. Nagachari (Director-Technical/ES, Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Ltd.), Shri Ashish Chaturvedi, (Head, Energy, Environment and Resilience, United Nations Development Programme), Shri Navonil Das (Advisor, GIZ), Shri Anoop Zachariah (Project Development Lead, Renew Power), Shri Deepak S. Krishnan (Deputy Director, Energy Programs, World Resource Institute), Shri Debnath Bera (Ranchi Partners Consultants), Shri Shreelata Krishnan (School of Policy and Governance) and Shri Jaideep Malik (John Cockerel Hydrogen), etc.
The conference facilitated the solution-driven ideas, perspectives and brought collaborative support from policymakers, industry & business leaders and eminent experts across India and Jharkhand.