Achieving a Just Energy Transition in India’s Coal-Mining Region: Participatory governance and role of the state

This webinar will explore the essential governance elements needed to achieve a just energy transition in India, with a particular focus on the role of the state. It will delve into a bottom-up approach toward policy-making that prioritizes the well-being of individuals and communities, emphasizing the need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach. The policy landscape for energy transition will be meticulously assessed, highlighting the criticality of sectoral coordination between state departments and real-time monitoring mechanisms to accurately track progress. The use of industrial policy to achieve economic diversification will be examined emphasizing the state's role in facilitating entrepreneurship and the importance of embracing technological advancements to facilitate decarbonization.

Lessons from international experiences will be shared, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning to mitigate social and economic disruptions during coal transitions. Furthermore, the webinar will provide a bottom-up perspective, amplifying the voices and viewpoints of marginalized communities, and highlighting the transformative role of empowered local governance structures. By synthesizing these diverse perspectives, this webinar aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the governance, policy, and community dimensions that are indispensable for achieving a just energy transition in India.

This webinar is organized by the Centre for Development and Environment Policy at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C) in collaboration with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, as part of the Building Roadmaps for Industrial Decarbonisation and Green Economy (BRIDGE) initiative. BRIDGE aspires to bring experts together to discuss India’s changing energy landscape. Comprising four webinars, the BRIDGE Initiative Webinar Series on Coal Transition focuses on the role of coal in a sustainable energy mix.

Agenda

Welcome

Setting the Context

Runa Sarkar, Professor, IIM Calcutta

Panel Discussion

Saon Ray, Visiting Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations

Simran Grover, Founder and CEO, Centre for Energy, Environment and People

Vinuta Gopal, Co-Founder and CEO, Asar Social Impact Advisors

Madhura Joshi, Senior Associate, E3G India

Q&A

Wrap Up

Vibhuti Garg, Director, South Asia, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis