Impacts of India Coal Sector

Although India is increasing its levels of renewable energy, coal still takes centre stage in electricity production. A recent overview of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) cases indicated that coal mining and thermal power plants pose environmental, health and governance challenges that are of high concern and more accountability and sustainable transition policies are needed.

Coal in India's Energy Mix

• In 2022-23, coal and lignite provided 73 percent of power.
• However, as late as 2031-32, coal is expected to contribute approximately half of the electricity.
• This highlights the long-term role of coal that needs to be properly regulated and controlled.

Environmental and Health Impacts

• Air pollution: PM10 is increased five times the safe levels by coal dust.
• Destruction of water, soil: Fly ash carries away heavy metals, like cadmium and lead, and destroys fertility and biodiversity.
• Health hazards: There are higher cases of cancer, respiratory disease and silicosis in and around the coal areas.
• Loss of livelihood: Agriculture, fisheries and animal farming are declining which imposes financial pressures on communities.

Regulatory and Legal Challenges

• Frequent violations of pollution norms by operators.
• Low community participation in coal project approvals.
• The compensation paid by NGT is not always timely, steady, or available to the people who are affected.
• Weak enforcement undermines accountability despite the principle of absolute liability.

Restoration and Clean-up

• NGT has commissioned river de-contamination, mangrove replenishment and clean-up strategies.
• Budgets are assigned but are stalled by time lapses, inadequate tracking and vague timeframes.
• Unless implemented properly, environmental and health risks continue to exist.

Key Recommendations

• Strengthen pollution control boards with active involvement of civil society and local communities.
• Conduct regular health impact assessments in coal zones.
• Enhance traditional knowledge in the restoration process in order to protect livelihoods.
• Attach clean-up missions to the Environment ministry.
• Collect long-term environmental and health data for better policy and compensation frameworks.
• Open NGT cases to periodic compliance audits.

Towards a Just Transition

India should consider the social and economic cost of coal dependency in the move to renewable energy. The transition to energy must be sustainable and equitable, with policies that provide the communities that are affected with health support, livelihood protection, and equitable participation in decision-making.