Global gathering of best minds shared effective strategies and steps for sustainable transition
In a bid to bolster Jharkhand’s efforts for sustainable transition, a two-day international conference ‘Sustainable Transition for Future-Ready Jharkhand : Global Perspectives & Learnings for Climate Resilient Growth’ commenced today, aiming to integrate global best practices locally. Organised by the Task Force on Sustainable Just Transition (Govt. of Jharkhand), with support from its technical partner Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) and in association with United Nations Development Program (UNDP-India) and World Resources Institute (WRI-India), this landmark event gathered luminaries from across the globe. The conference also witnessed the launching of the official website of the Task Force.
The conference witnessed the confluence of leaders and renowned experts from multilateral organizations, philanthropies, industries, alongside experts hailing from about thirty nations, including influential voices from Japan, USA, Germany, South Africa, South Korea, Indonesia. etc. With esteemed representation of senior officials from central and state government departments & agencies— notably from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, and Jharkhand—the discourse is poised to chart decisive pathways for sustainable just transition at subnational level.
Key dignitaries, Mr L. Khiangte (IAS), Chief Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand; Mr. A.K. Rastogi (IFS, retd.), Chairperson, Task Force-Sustainable Just Transition (Govt. of Jharkhand); Mr. Manoj Singh (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Dept. of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh; Mr. Sundeep Nayak (IAS, Retd.), Former Director General, National Productivity Council (India); Mr. S. Suresh Kumar (IAS), Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation; Dr Sanjay Srivastava (IFS), PCCF & HoFF, Jharkhand; Mr. Sanjay Srivastava (IFS), PCCF, Uttar Pradesh; Dr D.K. Saxena (IFS), APCCF, Jharkhand; Mr. Ashish Tiwari (IFS), Secretary, Dept. of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh; Mr. S. Rakesh Kumar (IFS), Director, Dept. of Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir; ; and Ms. Isabelle Tschan, Resident Representative, UNDP-India, among others graced the occasion.
Addressing the august gathering, Mr L. Khiangte (IAS), Chief Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand underscored the profound significance of sustainable transition as a catalyst for holistic advancement. Emphasizing no one is left behind in the transition phase, he outlined the need for multi-stakeholder collaborations and partnership. He further affirmed the state’s commitment to steering Jharkhand towards a green economy and strengthening India’s journey towards climate goals and net-zero target.
Further elucidating the objectives of the conference, Mr. A.K. Rastogi (IFS, retd.), Chairperson, Task Force-Sustainable Just Transition (Govt. of Jharkhand) marked this conference as a monumental milestone, offering a comprehensive array of multi-sectoral strategies on environmental, social, gender and economic considerations. He further added that the initiative adopts a proactive, opportunity-driven lens to acknowledge Jharkhand’s potential in realising climate-compatible growth, setting a precedent for transformative action worldwide.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manoj Singh (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Govt. of Uttar Pradesh) pointed out that Jharkhand has become a beacon for other states by outlining the sustainable transition strategies. For envisioning a climate compatible decarbonised tomorrow, embracing low-carbon innovations and transformative strategies are paramount.
Addressing the conference, Ms. Isabelle Tschan, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Program (UNDP-India) laid emphasis on creating knowledge sharing platforms and bringing in tech know-how on innovative and game changing technologies to bolster clean energy infrastructure, investment and alternative livelihood for benefiting the state and community at the last mile.
While lauding the state’s initiative, Mr Ramapati Kumar, CEO of CEED emphasised its role in fostering a collaborative forum where the finest global ideas converge, poised for replication at the subnational level to yield tangible results. Mr. Kumar further underscored the need of climate governance approach for creating conducive policy atmosphere, financial mechanisms and onboarding stakeholders to achieve state’s goals on climate resilience and energy security.
Spread over two days, the conference has been split into thematic sessions to explore the multifaceted aspects of transition. The first day witnessed plenary and thematic sessions on ‘Progress Towards Climate Goals and Net-Zero : Best Practices & Learnings from Global South & North, Sustainable Energy Transitions: Envisaging the Strategic Shift; Socially Inclusive Livelihood Transition : Capacitation and Community Participation for Greener Jobs. Senior officials from various departments such as Energy, Planning & Development, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Industries, Agriculture, Transport, Labour, Training & Employment also shared insights in sessions.
The expected outcome of the conference are knowledge sharing of global best practices and experiences of transitions from Global North and South; discuss socio-economic impacts of low-carbon strategies for maximizing co-benefits; foster collaboration and partnership between actors and enablers to drive the paradigmatic shift and explore policy frameworks to strengthen capacity and governance for implementation of strategies.
The collaborative dialogue witnessed active participation of high level delegates from the UNDP India, WRI India, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Labour Organisation, Coal India Ltd., Central Coalfields Ltd., Steel Authority India Ltd, National Thermal Power Corporation, National Productivity Council, Indian Institute of Forest Management, MacArthur Foundation, Stitching SED Fund, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, GIZ-India, Open Energy Transition-Germany, International Council on Clean Transportation, International Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), The Climate Group, India Climate Collaborative, Climate Policy Institute, Climate Bond Initiative, BEST-Maharastra, among others.