Green energy shift: India may face 73,800 coal job losses by 2050 - Report

India's shift towards green power may come at a significant cost to jobs in the coal mining sector, with a potential loss of 73,800 jobs at Coal India by the year 2050, according to a recent report by the US-based think tank Global Energy Monitor (GEM).

The GEM report highlights the global trend of job cuts in the coal industry as countries commit to transitioning away from fossil fuels in their efforts to combat climate change. Alongside India, China is projected to be the hardest hit, with an estimated 241,900 job layoffs in its massive coal industry by mid-century.

The report emphasizes the importance of a "just transition," a term coined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which seeks to ensure that the transition to a green economy is fair, inclusive, and provides decent work opportunities for those affected.

India, as the world's second-largest coal producer, has a substantial mining workforce, officially employing around 337,400 miners at its operating mines. However, informal employment in the sector may significantly increase this figure.

The GEM report underscores the need for governments to plan for coal worker transitions, especially as many mines are expected to reach the end of their operation before 2035, potentially affecting nearly 100 workers a day in the mining sector.

The report calls for proactive planning to manage the transition to a post-coal economy and avoid economic hardship and social strife for affected workers. It cites the example of Spain, where successful decarbonization planning has been implemented.

To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, GEM estimates that less than 10% of the current global coal mining workforce, around 250,000 miners, would be required.

While coal remains a significant source of electricity worldwide, it is also responsible for a substantial portion of the power sector's CO2 emissions. India's commitment to reduce emission intensity and increase non-fossil fuel-based energy resources aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

However, experts caution that the energy transition must consider regional imbalances, particularly in areas heavily reliant on coal, where alternative energy sources like solar and wind may not be as abundant.

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