Sustainable Progress in India’s Coal Industry: A Path to Net-Zero.
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India's Coal Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and green initiatives, emphasizing its critical role in the nation's pursuit of energy security and its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
During a parliamentary consultative committee meeting on December 19, it was highlighted that coal remains a cornerstone of India's economic growth while increasingly aligning with environmental stewardship. Senior ministry officials and members of Parliament participated in the discussion.
While recognizing the global shift toward renewable energy, the ministry stressed that coal remains vital to India’s development objectives. The commitment to sustainable development includes ensuring that coal production aligns with environmental conservation, societal well-being, and biodiversity protection, supporting India's net-zero emissions pledge.
Innovative Green Initiatives in Coal Mining
During a recent parliamentary consultative committee meeting, senior officials from the Coal Ministry and heads of public sector undertakings provided an update on sustainability measures undertaken by coal and lignite companies.
Key initiatives outlined included afforestation, bio-reclamation of mined land, accredited compensatory afforestation, and participation in the green credit program. Additionally, the use of mine water for community purposes was highlighted as a significant effort to promote resource efficiency.
Developing eco-parks and mine tourism sites emerged as innovative measures aimed at enhancing community engagement and generating alternative revenue streams for local economies.
Efforts to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint were also emphasized through energy efficiency projects, the deployment of dust suppression technologies, and investments in first-mile connectivity (FMC) projects. These FMC initiatives focus on minimizing pollution from coal transportation by incorporating conveyor belts and other non-road transport methods, significantly reducing emissions from trucks and heavy vehicles.
Growth in Domestic Coal Production
India’s coal sector has achieved steady progress in production, with output reaching 537.57 million tonnes from April to October 2024—a 6.04% increase compared to 506.93 million tonnes during the same period in FY 2023-24. This growth underscores efforts to enhance energy self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on coal imports.
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Decline in Coal Imports
Coal imports dropped by 3.1% from April to October 2024, totalling 149.39 million tonnes compared to 154.17 million tonnes in the same period of the previous year. The non-regulated sector, excluding power generation, recorded a sharper decline of 8.8%.
Trends in Coal Imports for Power Generation
While imports for blending purposes in the power sector fell significantly by 19.5%, coal imports for plants exclusively designed to operate on imported coal rose by 38.4%. This reflects a nuanced shift in India’s energy strategy, balancing domestic reliance with specific import needs.
The coal sector’s evolving approach integrates rising production with strengthened environmental safeguards. India’s efforts to balance energy security with sustainability mark a significant step toward a greener and more resilient future for the coal industry.