Report Release & Stakeholder Meeting, Odisha
The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability, and Technology (iFOREST), a leading environmental think tank, released the Report- Just Transition in Odisha for Green Growth and Green Jobs, on November 5. The report was released at a multistakeholder public meeting in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, The event brought together policymakers, senior government officials, industry leaders, workers representatives, eminent member of the civil society and the academia, civil society organizations working in the state, and eminent media houses to discuss the opportunities of planning and implementing a just transition in Odisha in the coming years, while boosting opportunities of green growth and jobs.
The Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, in his address as the Chief Guest said that “we have to be progressive and move with the times to meet our net zero targets. He emphasised that the path “towards a greener, more sustainable Odisha and it won’t be possible without everybody’s collective effort.”
Shri Heman Sharma, Principal Secretary, Energy Department, underscored that “Energy transition is a necessity and an imperative. If it doesn’t happen this civilization will not survive. The transition has to address the people whose jobs will be impacted. Therefore, justice must be built in the process of energy transition”. He also noted that the “Government of Odisha is committed to a Just Transition”. Shri NBS Rajput, Principal Secretary, Skill Development and Technical Education Department, highlighted the need of skilling and reskilling. He emphasised the need of both skilling and education in the process.
Top industry leaders of Odisha- Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, Tata Steel, Jindal Steel & Power Limited, Arcelor Mittal, Odisha Power Generation Corp. Ltd., Avaada Group, shared the measures industry the undertaking or considering to support the energy transition and decarbonization goals. State agencies, such as GRIDCO and OREDA highlighted how the state government is planning to scale up renewable energy generation, and production of green hydrogen and green ammonia in the state. A key focus of the discussion was also on the role of various actor on skilling and workforce development, including Agencies of the Odisha Govt., the World Skill Centre, the Skill Council for Green Jobs among others.
The event concluded with the Way ahead for Just Transition in Odisha to strengthen the state’s climate action, and the holistic approach that is required to further the agenda.
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