Lok Sabha Question No. 2445 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Reducing Dependence on Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2445

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## Reducing Dependence on Coal

## 2445.  SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  India  aims  to  produce  50%  of  its  electricity  from  renewable resources by 2030, to reduce its dependence on coal;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  made  plans  of  introducing  a  national policy that will ensure smooth transition to renewable resources from coal and recognize the social implications of moving towards clean energy and if so, the details and timeframe, thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is considering the transition away from coal which is  likely  to  lead  to  unemployment  and  require  retraining  and  reskilling  of workers;
- (d) if so, whether the Government has a process in place to identify the workers directly  or  indirectly  working  in  the  coal  sector,  if  so,  the  details  thereof; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  identified  districts  across  India,  including Odisha that have at least one asset linked to the coal sector, including coal mine,  thermal  power  plant  or  steel  plant,  and  will  be  affected  by  the transition; and
- (f)   if so, the details, thereof?

## Answer

## MINISTER OF  PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a&(b)): No such National Policy for Just Energy Transition is under consideration  by  the  Government.  However,  through  Panchamrit  Declaration during COP 26, India has set a timeline for attaining non-fossil energy capacity of  500  GW  by  2030  and  also  to  meet  50%  of  its  energy  requirements  from renewable energy by 2030.

(c)&(d):  In  India,  no  transition  away  from  coal  is  happening  in  foreseeable future. Although there will be push for renewable/non-fossil based energy, but share of coal in the energy basket is going to remain significant in years ahead. Thus, as of now there is no scenario of transition away from coal affecting the workers involved in coal mining.

Overarching decisions titled 'Glasgow Climate Pact' reflect the following agreement between parties with regard to coal and fossil fuel subsidies:

' Calls upon Parties to accelerate the development, deployment and dissemination  of  technologies,  and  the  adoption  of  policies,  to  transition towards  low  emission  energy  systems,  including  by  rapidly  scaling  up  the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures, including accelerating efforts towards the phasedown of unabated coal power and  phase-out  of  inefficient  fossil  fuel  subsidies,  while  providing  targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with National circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition'.

It  is  evident  that  above  paragraph is  not  mandating the  phase  down  of  coal power,  and  it  is not  setting  any  timelines for  the  phase  down.   Further,  the paragraph is only 'calling upon' Parties to accelerate efforts towards the phase down  of unabated coal power in line with national circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition.  Paris Agreement is a multilateral treaty for combating climate change.

Accordingly, while India has committed to clean energy; the pace of transition to  cleaner  energy  sources  in  India  is  to  be  viewed  in  the  light  of  national circumstances, and principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective  capabilities,  the  transfer  of  climate  finance  and  low  cost  climate technologies.

(e)&(f): Questions do not arise in view of part (c)&(d) of the question.

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