An interview with Prof. Pradip Swarnakar, founder and coordinator, Just Transition Research Centre (JTRC), IIT Kanpur  

 What is the JTRC all about?

The centre at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences was started in 2021. Our work can be categorised into three areas: conducting research to address the academic and policy requirements at the national and state levels, capacity building and taking impact assessment for projects and policies. The centre’s foundational research activities started with the Climate and Energy Policy Research Lab (CEPRL), with initial focus on coal and thermal power plants. Now, we have students working in diverse areas such as electrical vehicles, agriculture and renewables. Besides Ph.D. and post-doctoral researchers, our team consists of scientists and research associates from diverse backgrounds.

 There is an assumption that the renewable energy sector needs people with a high level of technical skills. How true is this?  

Sustainable development of the renewable energy sector requires candidates with a multidisciplinary approach who, apart from their expertise, have basic knowledge of both disciplines from the sciences and humanities. This will ensure that these technologies are socially integrated and accepted. We also need people with a background in environmental science, economics and policy to address the environmental, social and economic challenges that may hinder the renewable energy expansion. We have students from the disciplines of Philosophy, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology and Literature working on different aspects of climate and energy. 

Just Transition seeks to support those who are vulnerable to challenges posed by a green economy transition including people and communities whose livelihoods are linked to fossil fuels, and those who would be adversely impacted if policies are not designed in a socially progressive way. What is the opportunity for just transition in India?

The concept originated in the West and differs significantly in India in terms of economic development, energy sources and level of reliance on fossil fuels. While in other countries, sources like oil and gas have had parallel significance; in India, coal has been and still remains the main source of energy that has driven the economic development of the country. So as a major coal-dependent country, the first thing we need to do is to assess the potential adverse impacts of a coal phase-down for the huge coal workforce and communities.

For this, we need to redefine just transition for India. This would essentially require plugging major data and knowledge gaps to formulate a just transition framework that can accommodate the unique challenges of the country. Coordinated efforts need to be made for diversifying the economies of the Indian coal regions so that the communities can be made self-sufficient.

Our students can be important in creating knowledge that can be useful to the community and the government. For example, if the government says we need a national action plan for just transformation, then JTRC is like a think-tank that can consult, frame policies and initiate stakeholder engagement.

 Why do we need more youngsters to take up careers in the green and just transition space?

First, the renewable energy sector is estimated to create a large number of employment opportunities in the coming years. Second, India has a huge youth population and pressing employment challenges. Third, our research has highlighted wide gaps between skills, aspirations and opportunities among youth in coal regions. So green energy transition can be a great opportunity to mitigate existing challenges associated with youth and employment. Youngsters can leverage the opportunities for quality employment offered by the transition. The integration of youth with the green energy sector can be accelerated through targeted interventions aimed at skilling.