Jharkhand, a state situated in eastern India has the virtuous endowment of natural and renewable resources like solar and biomass. The state is highly dependent on coal reserves for its economy and energy requirements. Despite this, the state has not been able to achieve universal energy access, impeding further developments, especially in remote areas. To meet the energy demand of industrial and domestic consumers, the state requires a robust yet defined energy pathway utilising its renewable energy sources. Decentralized renewable energy applications remain an alternative to the conventional sources of energy, which can not only suffice the current energy needs of the population but also ensure a greener ecosystem.
Jharkhand is among the most vulnerable states of India in terms of the effects of climate change, where the prevalence of poverty accentuates the crisis. It is thus crucial to adapt to the present as well as the future impacts of pollution, increased carbon emissions and climate change to build the resilience of the vulnerable communities. To tackle these challenges, since August 2020, Swaniti Initiative, a nonpartisan social enterprise that provides development solutions to improve the delivery of public services is working in Jharkhand to fulfill the vision of just transition by working with government departments both at the state and district administration level to facilitate an institutional shift towards a green economy by promoting renewable energy, sustainability in agriculture and livelihood transformation from the conventional mining sector towards green jobs. The team further adopted a decentralised approach by enabling and capacitating different stakeholders, community members and government officials toward just transition. Today, the team has been able to mobilise INR 45 Crores (USD 60,40,755.00) to implement specific interventions linked to renewable energy and sustainability across six districts of Jharkhand.