Stakeholders at a conference agreed that a special task force on just transition should be formed at the earliest, which should work in a time-bound and result-oriented manner aligned with Net-zero carbon emission targets set by the Centre.

The state-level conference “Making Just Transition a Reality in Jharkhand” with the key objective to discuss broader contours and models of just transition suitable for the state was organised at Ranchi on Wednesday by the Centre for Environment and Energy Development.

Leaders from public sector units, industry, corporate companies and academia participated in the meet. Additional chief secretary forest environment and climate change L. Khiangte, who was the chief guest of the conference said: “The Jharkhand government is seriously contemplating the governance structure of sustainable transition in the form of a special task force. This process will be driven by a green vision that puts sustainability, inclusivity and public interest at the centre stage. The government is committed to pursue a sustainable development path for the benefit of the economy.”

The Net-zero carbon emission target by 2070 has positioned Jharkhand at the forefront and as a key state of the country, it will face various challenges in this path considering the transition towards a greener economic model looks imminent. It places the need of taking formidable steps for decarbonising the existing economic sectors, ensuring growth trajectory and securing sustainable livelihood options for the people.

Former principal chief conservator of forest and former chairman Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, A.K. Rastogi, said: “For moving towards a sustainable transition, bringing on board all stakeholders is inevitable who can set the common goals and acceptable ideas. Perspectives from key industries, public sector units, think-tanks and academia can bring the alternative pathways at the cross-sectoral level for creation of a forward-looking economy.”

“For streamlining the just transition process, a special task force is needed, which should ideally work in a convergent and inclusive approach in consultation with all stakeholders and identify key prospects and priorities to better realise it. What is important here is to set immediate, short and long-term work-to-do-lists with clear goals as a blue-print for strengthening the making of a future-ready economy in the state," said CEO of CEED Ramapati Kumar.

Supporting the need of sustainable transition to achieve net-zero goals, chairman-cum-managing director Central Coalfields Limited PM Prasad said, “The coal industry is ready and supportive of the transition process and it will follow the frameworks and guidelines suggested by the Governments of India and Jharkhand. At the larger level, this process will help industries and the society as whole.

The conference discussed bringing out a replicable and forward-looking economic model in realisation of energy security and livelihood security with focus on attaining sustainable development goals.