Reports

India’s coal fleet is fast ageing. About one-fifth of the current capacity is primed for decommissioning as their average age is more than 35 years. If the Ministry of Power’s advisory to retire coal-based generation units of more than 25 years old is implemented, then as much as 50-60 GW capacity will retire in the coming ten years. But is India prepared to decommission such large capacities under a just transition framework, ensuring fair and inclusive outcomes for the environment, labour and community?

The report emphasizes solutions and implementation models, based on comprehensive research across five mining districts (i.e Chatra, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, West Singhbhum) of Jharkhand to establish DRE integration as an essential focus area under various priority spending areas of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), including health, nutrition, education, and livelihood. DRE applications have already been playing a pivotal role in bridging the energy access gap in Jharkhand, and DMF can play an essential role in expanding its reach, effectiveness, adoption, and maintenance.

The report is the first to map India’s Air Quality Management (AQM) sector and the various direct and indirect jobs within it. It recommends a capacity building road map for the next five years to meet the goals of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

The study on just transition for Angul was undertaken to evaluate how Odisha’s largest coal mining and industrial district can strategically plan for a just energy transition and simultaneously build a green economy
in the coming decades.

The study of Maharashtra was undertaken as part of a research project that aims at, among other things, establishing the linkages between tendu patta collection practices and forest fires. Further, it aims at understanding the impact of these fires in terms of the area burnt and the emissions.

The study of Odisha was undertaken as part of a research project that aims at, among other things, establishing the linkages between tendu patta collection practices and forest fires. Further, it aims at understanding the impact of these fires in terms of the area burnt and the emissions.

The study of Chhattisgarh was undertaken as part of a research project that aims at, among other things, establishing the linkages between tendu patta collection practices and forest fires. Further, it aims at understanding the impact of these fires in terms of the area burnt and the emissions.

There is a high proportion of informal workers in India’s coal states and districts who are directly dependent
on coal for an income. These workers are engaged in a variety of activities related to coal mining, coal transportation, and in the coal washeries. Besides, a large proportion of people earn a living by gathering and selling coal. These workers collectively constitute the informal coal economy.

The study of the Korba district of Chhattisgarh was undertaken to understand what a just transition will mean and entail for India’s top coal mining and coal-based power districts, and how a just transition planning can be approached.

Developing countries require massive financial and technical support to ensure just and equitable phase out of coal under accelerated timelines, aligned with achieving decarbonization goals. The requirement of strengthened support has been brought up on several occasions at the ongoing COP26.

A precise definition and an appropriate framing of just transition in the context of India’s fossil fuel regions and economy is essential to build policy momentum and public engagement on the issue. This is also important for formulation of relevant policies and just transition plans that are guided by the principles of social and environmental justice, and are designed to achieve net positive social, economic and environmental outcomes.

Within project Aviral – Reducing Plastic Waste in the Ganga, plastic waste entering the cities environments is reduced by strengthening an integrative and improved plastic waste management system in the two Ganga cities Haridwar and Rishikesh. The efforts also contribute to achieving the objectives of the flagship programs of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (Namami Gange) and the Clean India Mission (Swachh Bharat Mission). In order to sustainably enhance existing capacities, improve selected elements of the plastic waste value chain, promote innovations and implement awareness activities.