Jharkhand, known for its rich mineral resources and significant contribution to India’s industrial development, is now gearing up for a remarkable transition towards sustainability and a low carbon economy. The state’s Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change recently released a vision document outlining a comprehensive plan to achieve the net-zero goal by 2070.
Eight Thematic Areas for Achieving Net-Zero
- The document outlines eight thematic areas that are critical for Jharkhand to achieve its net-zero target by 2070. These areas cover a wide range of measures, from renewable energy adoption to environmental protection.
Coal Transition
- One of the important thematic areas identified is the “coal transition”. Being a major source of energy in India, Jharkhand has played a significant role in coal production, which contributes more than 16% of the country’s total production.
- The vision document recognizes the importance of moving away from non-renewable resources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Jharkhand’s role in steel production
- Jharkhand has huge reserves of ‘high quality’ coking coal, which accounts for 89% of India’s reserves.
- This vital resource plays a vital role in steel production, which has driven the country’s infrastructure development and overall industrial growth.