: The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST) released its latest report here to evaluate how Odisha’s biggest coal producing and key industrial district can plan a just energy transition and build a green economy in the coming years.
Among others the meeting was addressed by Angul MLA and Deputy Speaker of State Assembly Rajanikant Singh, Talcher MLA Brajakishore Pradhan, Angul Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain, Chairman and Managing Director of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited OP Singh and founder of Centre for Youth and Social Development, Jagadananda.
The event was also attended by key State Government officials, industry leaders, labour union representatives and civil society groups.
Speaking on the occasion, president and CEO of iFOREST Chandra Bhushan said that the report highlights key interventions necessary to put Angul on a path of a green energy and economic future.
While coal will dominate the district’s economy for the next 10-15 years, districts like Angul also need to start planning for a just energy transition to support climate change mitigation, as Odisha is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, he told.
Speaking on the occasion, Angul MLA and Deputy Speaker Singh said, “Angul, as the biggest coal district, has faced massive environment burden due to industrialisation and mining activities. There needs to be a serious rethinking at the district as well as State level on how the balance between industrial development and environment and climate change can be achieved.”
MLA Talcher Pradhan said, "We need to start planning now to improve pollution burden, address the need for diverse livelihoods through local resources and engage people in a planning for future.”
Collector Swain said, “A just transition planning needs to start, even though coal mining in Angul is expanding. District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds can be important for some of the investments.”
Speaking on the iFOREST study, director of India Just Transition Centre of iFOREST, Srestha Banerjee said, “Angul will have to start planning for a just energy transition now as it will take 2-3 decades to build a green economy. Our strong recommendation is that Odisha should use cheap coal to build the backbone of the green economy and invest in grey hydrogen, coal gasification, electric vehicles and battery storage.”
The event had specific panels on green industries and sustainable investment attended by key industry representatives such as from the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Tata Mining Steel.
The report recommended that over the next 10-15 years, coal resources must be used in the most environmentally responsible manner to build a green economy backbone. The cheap coal-based electricity can be used to support high-value green manufacturing, such as solar PVs, electric vehicles, battery, etc. Grey hydrogen can also be produced through coal gasification, and used to build the base for green steel and green urea production. After 2035, the district should move to green energy and industries, based on growth of the RE sector and technology advancements and viability.