Q. Achieving energy transition is essential and indispensable in addressing climate change." Examine the opportunities and challenges towards a...
Question
Q. Achieving energy transition is essential and indispensable in addressing climate change." Examine the opportunities and challenges towards a just and inequitable energy transition. (15 marks 250 Words)
Model Answer
Q. Achieving energy transition is essential and indispensable in addressing climate change." Examine the opportunities and challenges towards a just and inequitable energy transition. (15 marks 250 Words)
Paper
GS III
Subject
Environment, Climate Change, Energy Security
Syllabus as Per Notification
Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Topic
Just and Equitable energy transition
Approach:
Introduction
Define energy transition as the shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources, electrification, and efficiency.
Body
Explain the Opportunities of a Just and Equitable Energy Transition
Climate Change Mitigation
Energy Security and Strategic Autonomy
Economic Growth and Green Employment
Public Health and Rural Development
Technological Innovation and Global Leadership
Challenges to a Just and Equitable Transition
Financing Deficit & Geopolitical Tensions
Grid Infrastructure & Integration
Employment & Livelihood Disruptions
Transition vs Development Dilemma
Technological Gaps and Storage Limitations
Way Forward
Enhanced Climate Finance
Technology Transfer
Reskilling of Communities dependent on fossil fuels
Just Transition Frameworks
Inclusive Governance
Conclusion
Conclude by mentioning Energy transition is not just technological but a socio-economic transformation.
Context
Turkey, which will host the COP31 of UNFCCC, proposed that the world should aim to meet at least a third of its energy needs from electricity by 2035 to reduce emissions.
Introduction
The sustainable energy transition is a transformative shift in how energy is produced, distributed and consumed, aiming to move away from fossil fuels towards a system centred on renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal. This shift is critical to tackling the climate crisis, as fossil fuels still provide 80 percent of global energy supply, releasing immense amounts of planet-warming gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, in the process.
Body
Opportunities of a Just and Equitable Energy Transition
Climate Change Mitigation:
The primary opportunity of the energy transition is its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, essential for meeting Paris Agreement goals.
Shifting from fossil fuels to cleaner sources like solar, wind, hydro, nuclear, and green hydrogen can decarbonize energy systems.
Electrification plays a vital role, especially in transport and industry, with the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimating Electrification could deliver over half the emissions reductions needed for net-zero, which was highlighted by Turkey's proposal for a global target of 35% electrification by 2035 (up from 21%).
Energy Security and Strategic Autonomy:
Transitioning to domestically available renewable sources reduces dependence on volatile global fossil fuel markets, protecting economies from geopolitical disruptions.
Geopolitical disruptions like the Russia‑Ukraine war and Israel-Iran war have highlighted the vulnerability of fossil fuel supply chains, pushing Europe to accelerate renewables.
Example: India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) aims to cut import dependence on LNG and crude oil.
Economic Growth and Green Employment
The renewable energy sector is a major job creator. The International Renewable Energy Agency – International Labour Organization (IRENA-ILO) Annual Review 2024 reports that global renewable energy employment reached 16.6 million jobs in 2024, with solar PV leading at 7.2 million jobs.
India’s solar park schemes and PLI for solar manufacturing are creating employment hubs in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Public Health and Rural Development
Reduced air pollution from fossil fuel combustion lowers disease burden. WHO estimates 7 million premature deaths annually from air pollution.
Decentralized solutions like solar mini-grids improve energy access and support livelihoods in remote areas.
Technological Innovation and Global Leadership
Advancing clean technologies like battery storage, smart grids, and green hydrogen supports decarbonisation and positions countries as leaders in the clean energy economy.
This enhances South-South cooperation, builds diplomatic influence, and ensures developing nations are not left behind.
Example: India's International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded with France, promotes solar adoption across 120+ countries.
Challenges to a Just and Equitable Transition
Financing Deficit and Geopolitical Tensions:
A major hurdle is the immense investment required, especially in developing nations.
Annual clean energy investment needs to reach $5.6 trillion by 2030 to stay on track, yet current growth is slowing.
Mechanisms like Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) face challenges
For example, the US withdrawal from JETPs in 2025 and a fundamental tension between prioritizing emissions cuts and broad economic transformation have slowed progress.
Grid Infrastructure and Integration:
The IEA warns that grids are the "weak link." The world must add or replace 80 million km of grids by 2040, which is equal to the entire existing grid, to meet climate goals.
Currently, a 1,500 GW queue of advanced-stage renewable projects is waiting for grid connection, five times the amount added globally in 2023.
India’s Green Energy Corridor project is a vital step, but delays impacting the intended goals.
Employment and Livelihood Disruptions
Communities dependent on fossil fuels, like the coal belts in Jharkhand and Odisha, face job losses and economic distress without adequate reskilling and social protection.
Transition vs. Development Dilemma
Despite setting ambitious renewable targets, India’s energy demand is projected to rise from 1074 Million Tons of Oil Equivalent (Mtoe) in 2023 to 1921 Mtoe by 2040, while coal is set to remain the single largest source.
Balancing this demand with climate commitments and social equity is a major challenge. As per International Energy Agency (IEA), only 8% of global energy consumption is currently clean, Highlighting severity of the task.
Technological Gaps and Storage Limitations
Large‑scale deployment of renewables requires advanced battery storage, smart grids, and flexible technologies, but these remain costly and underdeveloped.
Example: India’s battery storage capacity is still below 5 GW, far short of the 2030 target of 27 GW, creating reliability concerns for renewable integration.
Towards a Just and Equitable Energy Transition
A just transition must be guided by principles of Climate Justice and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). This requires:
Enhanced Climate Finance: Fulfilling commitments to mobilize $100 billion annually for the Global South via the Green Climate Fund.
India has sought concessional finance for its National Solar Mission.
Technology Transfer: Making clean technologies affordable and accessible such as Battery storage and Green Hydrogen.
Example:India-EU Clean Energy Partnership (2025) focuses on hydrogen and offshore wind.
Reskilling of Communities dependent on fossil fuels
Jharkhand’s partnership with iFOREST has initiated reskilling programs for coal workers into renewable energy and agro-processing, while Odisha’s Skill Development Authority, with UNDP support, is training youth in EV maintenance and solar technologies.
Just Transition Frameworks: Implementing robust social safety nets, reskilling programs, and livelihood diversification for affected workers.
Example: South Africa’s Just Transition Partnership (JETP) of 2023 included retraining coal workers for renewable industries.
Inclusive Governance: Ensuring participation of local communities, women, and tribal populations in energy projects.
Example:Solar cooperatives in Gujarat empower women entrepreneurs in rural electrification.
Conclusion
The energy transition is not just about switching fuels but about building a cleaner and stronger future. With investments in renewables, new technologies, and reskilling, nations can cut emissions, secure energy, and improve lives. Guided by cooperation and justice, this transition can turn today’s climate challenge into tomorrow’s opportunity for growth and sustainability. Yet, as the World Economic Forum warns, progress is “not fast or fairly enough,” highlighting urgency of inclusive action.