Recently, Survey was conducted by the National Foundation for India shows that prolonged exposure to coal mining pollutants has resulted in widespread respiratory and skin diseases among the workers
- The survey included 1,200 households in six districts in India of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand & Odisha, where coal extraction is a major occupation
- Angul in Odisha is India’s top coal-producing district.
Key Highlights of the Report
Following are the key highlights of the report:
What are occupational hazards?
- At least 65% of participants interviewed reported issues such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and skin ailments such as eczema, dermatitis and fungal infections.
- Exposure to Coal Mines could lead to followings:
- Exposure to coal mine dust causes various pulmonary diseases, including coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- They are also exposed to crystalline silica dust, which causes silicosis, COPD, and other diseases.
- These lung diseases can bring about impairment, disability and premature death.
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- People living closer to the mines were relatively more vulnerable.
- For example: Dhanbad and Ramgarh, which had more people living in such zones, had higher incidence of lung and breathing-related diseases as well as skin infections.
- On average, a household in these 6 districts spent ₹300 to ₹1,000 on monthly medical-related bills. Average annual hospitalization expenses in Dhanbad (₹28,461 per household) were the highest.
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- Average Indian household spent Rs 3,632 on healthcare-related expenditure in FY 2022
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Just Transition
- It addresses various dimensions of inequality, vulnerability and opportunity.
- It frames the transition with a human rights lens with the aim of eliminating existing inequalities, enabling social inclusion and promoting different forms of equity.
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- Just transition: World’s shift away from coal is expected to result in significant job losses and economic downturns in coal-dependent regions.
- This will not only impact the coal miners and workers directly but also the broader local economy.
Report By Global Energy Monitor
- One-third of the current coal mine workers in the world could face lay-offs by 2050, even without climate pledges to phase out coal
- Coal India itself could potentially lay off 73,800 miners by 2050 as India aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
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- Renewable energy: While India has committed to source nearly 500 GW of electricity – or nearly half its projected installed capacity for 2030 – from renewable energy sources, coal is expected to be the mainstay of power generation in India for decades.
- Coal’s share (including lignite) of the total power capacity dropped below 50% for the first time since the 1960s
- Nearly half of India’s installed power generation capacity are coal-powered thermal plants.
- For the first time this year, renewable energy accounted for 71.5% of the record 13.6 (GW) power generation capacity added by India in the first quarter (January-March) of this year (2024), while coal’s share (including lignite) of the total power capacity dropped below 50% for the first time since the 1960s.
- Grave challenges to marginalised groups: 81.5 per cent among those surveyed belonged to the marginalised SC, ST, and OBC communities and the rest were from the general category.
- Clear correlation between caste and educational attainment: Households with primary education or no education were more prominent among SCs, STs and OBCs.
- Lower levels of income: Lower levels of income found among SC and ST groups compared to OBC groups
- Higher representation in low-paying, irregular jobs in coal-dumping yards, coal sidings, coal loading, coal transport, coal washeries and other informal work.
Transitioning Away From Coal – India’s Last Nationally Determined Contribution
As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement, India submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in the year 2015
- To reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 level
- To achieve about 40 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
In August 2022, India updated its NDC according to which
- Target to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP has been enhanced to 45 percent by 2030 from 2005 level
- Target on cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources has been enhanced to 50% by 2030.
For this, India plans to phase down coal use.
- Transitioning away from coal is expected to affect 13 million people and 266 districts would be vulnerable to the change, as per a 2021 NFI report.
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Other Issues Persistent with Coal Mining:
- Environmental Impacts: Coal mining has significant environmental impacts, including air and water pollution, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. These impacts can lead to health problems, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.
- Resource Depletion: Coal is a non-renewable resource that is finite. As such, its continued use for energy generation will lead to its eventual depletion.
- Climate Change: Coal is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for climate change. The continued use of coal for energy generation is unsustainable and will lead to further environmental degradation
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Way Forward
- Pre placement and periodic examinations: It needs to be conducted as per protocol so that maximum workers are covered.
- Employees need to be educated: On a healthy lifestyle with special focus on reducing the substance abuse practices.
- Further, they should be apprised about relevant occupational risk factors and should be emphasized to use PPE and take intervention measures to protect themselves from occupational disorders.
- COP26 helped focus global attention on the challenge of transitioning out of coal. Come together approach must be applied to tackle this challenge.
- A just transition requires a whole-of-government approach: There are five clear channels to facilitate the transition
- Providing temporary income support;
- Increasing workers’ capacity / skills;
- Connecting workers to new jobs;
- Stimulating private sector business development to raise labor demand in the affected regional labor markets; and
- Ensuring a regulatory setting conducive to private investment and job creation.
June 27, 2024