India’s Coal Ministry has signaled a renewed commitment to sustainability and green initiatives, highlighting its role in the nation’s journey toward energy security and its ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2070.

Addressing the parliamentary consultative committee meeting on Dec. 19, Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy emphasized coal’s dual role as a cornerstone of India’s economic growth and a sector increasingly focused on environmental stewardship.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey, senior ministry officials, and members of Parliament.

While acknowledging the global pivot towards renewable energy, Reddy asserted that coal’s role remains essential to India’s development agenda.

“We are committed to sustainable development where coal production goes hand in hand with environmental conservation, societal well-being, and biodiversity protection,” Reddy said, pointing to the sector’s role in supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge for India to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

Green Initiatives and Environmental Stewardship

During the meeting, senior officials from the Coal Ministry and heads of public sector undertakings such as Coal India Ltd. and NLC India Ltd. provided an overview of the sustainability measures implemented by coal and lignite companies.

Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt outlined several initiatives that align with India’s Mission LiFE campaign, which aims to promote sustainable living practices.

Among the initiatives highlighted were afforestation and bio-reclamation of mined land, accredited compensatory afforestation, participation in the green credit program, and the use of mine water for community purposes.

Developing eco-parks and mine tourism sites was also cited as a key measure to improve community engagement and generate alternative revenue streams for local economies.

Energy efficiency projects, the deployment of dust suppression technologies, and investments in first-mile connectivity projects were presented as evidence of the sector’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

FMC projects aim to reduce pollution from coal transportation by implementing conveyor belts and other non-road transport options, thereby curbing emissions from trucks and other heavy vehicles.

Growing Production, Falling Imports

India’s coal sector has seen steady progress in production, with output reaching 537.57 million tonnes from April to October 2024, a 6.04 percent increase from 506.93 MT during the same period in FY 2023-24. The growth reflects efforts to reduce reliance on coal imports and bolster energy self-sufficiency.

Imports of coal also declined during this period. From April to October 2024, coal imports fell by 3.1 percent to 149.39 MT, down from 154.17 MT in the corresponding period of the previous year. The non-regulated sector, which excludes power generation, saw an even steeper 8.8 percent drop in imports.

However, imports for power sector blending purposes declined 19.5 percent, indicating a push for greater reliance on domestic production. Imports of coal by plants designed to run on imported coal exclusively rose 38.4 percent, highlighting a nuanced trend in India’s energy landscape.

The coal sector’s green transformation reflects India’s ambition to balance energy security with sustainability. As production rises, imports fall, and environmental safeguards strengthen, India’s coal industry appears to be on a path toward a greener future.

Also Read:

Coal PSUs To Boost Circular Economy with Innovative Waste Management