Two thirds of India’s CO2 emissions come from coal used in power generation. Going forward, the focus of the Integrated Energy Policy by the Indian planning commission, is to sustain a growth rate of 8%. This which requires an increase in installed capacity of electricity from 160,000 MW to 800,000 MW by 2031-32, a growth in annualized coal demand between 4.7% to 7.27%.

The policy still maintains dependence on coal in this increase. According to the planning commission - the Government of India has approved 213 new coal plants in the next 8 years, at a time when -

1. We face a Climate Emergency, Coal has been the biggest contributor for it and life on earth cannot afford to emit any more GreenHouse-Gasses. (Patz, J., et al., 2005. estimated that 150,000 people die each year from climate change effects, and Professor James Lovelock FRS has warned that over 6 billion people will die this century due to unaddressed climate change.)

2. India has very poor quality extractable coal reserves left for 30-40 years according to CMPDI, whereas the approximate life of a coal plant is about 50 years.

3. Coal has massive social costs, it is extremely hazardous to our health and the local environment - (Pollutants from Coal based electricity generation kills upto 170,000 people annually) - and sucks up critical resources of land,water etc

According to James Hansen, Director of NASA GISS - To retain and return to a planet on which life can survive, reducing coal emissions (not necessarily coal use) is the single most important target. We cannot avoid the root problem.

We question “Why New Coal ?” When we have renewable alternatives cheaper than coal (if true cost of coal with externalities is considered), which will answer India’s concerns of energy security, poverty eradication, renew our economy and solve all inter-related problems.

Why new coal ? when its detrimental to life on earth - It just does not make sense – does it ?

- Coal is so important to our energy system, how can we let it go ?
- Doesn’t India have massive coal reserve’s?
- Wont we have nuclear to power India?
- Will we not have Clean Coal/ Carbon capture and storage?
- What about India’s development and economic growth?
- What is the Alternative solution?
- But renewable’s are so expensive?
- Who will pay for the expensive renewable’s?
- What happens if business is as usual?

The ask - may seem very challenging, almost impossible as-well - but when the case is simplified - it makes perfect sense. The case is very simplistic in its approach which is demonstrated in the Pruthvi story video below.

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Pruthvi Story

Once upon a time - Mr cool (Pruthvi) chances upon Cola and picks up an allergy – his allergy gets worse and he slips into Emergency. Help us finish this story..

- Pruthvi can either quit cola and start recovering, go back to play with his friends , Pawan and Surya – And they live happily ever after.
OR
- He does not kick his deadly habit and allows the allergy get the better of him – Well not all “Once upon a time” story need to have a happy ending.

Read between the lines

Cola = Coal
Pruthvi = Life on Earth
Pawan = Air
Surya = Sun