SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 30: IIT Indian School of Mines (ISM) Dhanbad in association with TERI will hold a seminar on the future of coal and pathways to low carbon footprint on January 31 at Novotel Hotel, New Town, Kolkata tomorrow.
Ajay Kumar Rastogi, Chairman, Task Force, Sustainable Just Transition and Green Hydrogen, Govt of Jharkhand and Prof JK Pattanayak, Director IIT ISM will deliver key keynote address in the inaugural session.
Ajay Shankar, distinguished fellow, TERI and Former Secretary, DIPP, Government of India will deliver a special address.
The seminar is being jointly convened by Prof Rajni Singh, Dean of Corporate Communications, IIT ISM Dhanbad and Dr Jayanta Mitra, senior fellow TERI.
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Three points to be addressed
Experts will shed light on three points which are: 1. Repurposing of closed mines & diversification of local economy 2. Balancing economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability, green transition for coal-dependent MSMEs 3. Reskilling and upskilling of green jobs opportunities and challenges as the coal sector transitions to a low-carbon economy.
Prof Rajni Singh
“The goal of the seminar is to facilitate multi-stakeholder engagements on the repurposing of coal mining infrastructure, coal consuming MSMEs, energy transition issues and strategies for diversifying fossil fuel-based economy, encouraging cross-learning, mutual deliberation, and the development of a road map for an equitable future,” said Prof Rajni Singh.
Dr Jayanta Mitra
Dr Jayanta Mitra, senior fellow, TERI said that amid global climatic change challenges India is at the forefront of the transition to a sustainable future. “With vast coal reserves and reliance on coal, India faces unique opportunities and challenges in reducing emissions and ensuring social economic wellbeing in the coal-dependent communities,” he said.
Prof Biswajit Paul
Prof Biswajit Paul of the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering of IIT ISM Dhanbad, who is also the coordinator of the workshop said that as coal-bearing regions are characterized by socio-economic dependence on the coal sector leading to monoculture societies that impact livelihood infrastructure, the environment, state revenues and overall quality of life. So, repurposing of coal mines assets would enable local communities to benefit from a broader choice of income earning potential and break out the cycle of dependence on coal mono-economy.
