COP26: Coal lifeline for many scavengers in India

India targets increasing its current capacity of non-fossil fuel electricity to 500 gigawatts by 2030 and reducing the carbon intensity of its economy by 45%.

But in some parts of the country, the economy is heavily dependent on local coalfields- a key source of heat-trapping carbon emissions.
Locals living in the eastern city of Jharia in Jharkhand said they wouldn't survive without it.

The coal in Jharia is cheap, accessible and plentiful, and sustains the community's most vulnerable.

Also read: COP26: Why it's so hard for India to quit coal

At the ongoing U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his country would aim to stop adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere by 2070.

India's short-term targets for 2030 involve increasing its current capacity of non-fossil fuel electricity to 500 gigawatts, using green energy to meet half of its needs and reducing the carbon intensity of its economy by 45%.

But there are 27 million people without access to electricity in India. It has roads and homes to build, while extreme heat is driving up the demand for air conditioning.