Editorial 1 : A green transition for India
Introduction: With COP29 negotiations unfolding amid Donald Trump’s recent win in the US and ongoing conflicts in West Asia, one thing is certain: India must pursue equitable decarbonisation that sustains economic growth while attracting climate finance to fuel critical investments. To build a resilient, clean, and robust energy system supporting a strong economy, India should focus on seven essential shifts. Central to this green economy must be the people, ensuring that the benefits of this transition are widely shared and inclusive.
India's Growing Power Demand
- Projected Demand Increase: India’s power demand is expected to nearly double, with peak demand reaching almost 370 GW by 2031-32.
- Need for Strategic Investments: Frequent inflection points are required in energy investments, infrastructure, and new business models to meet this demand sustainably.
- Focus on Enabling Metrics: Monitoring metrics that support these changes in a warming climate is essential for triggering the necessary shifts.
Seven fundamental shifts for green and strong Indian economy:
1. Decentralised Energy Systems
- Shift from Centralised to Decentralised: Emphasis on Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) sources to build scalable energy systems.
- Rooftop Solar Ambitions: India’s goal to solarise 10 million households could add 30 GW of clean power.
- Affordability Challenge: High costs hinder adoption among lower-income consumers, despite subsidies.
- Innovative Business Models: New market-driven interventions, like community solar, can help overcome financial barriers.
2. Capex to Opex Transition
- Rethinking Energy Costs: Shift focus from capital expenditure (capex) to operational expenditure (opex) models.
- Opex Solutions: Utilities could provide solar power as a service, charging consumers on a pay-as-you-go basis.
- Wider Applications: Similar models could promote energy efficiency, district cooling, and sustainable mobility by enabling users to pay per use instead of bearing high upfront costs.
3. Climate-Resilient Investments
- Long-term Investment Focus: Shift from short-term financial risk to investments that ensure climate resilience.
- Addressing Vulnerability: Over 80% of India lives in climate-vulnerable districts, highlighting the need for resilient energy systems.
- Cost-Benefit of Resilience: Investing in climate-proof infrastructure is less risky compared to potential macroeconomic losses from climate change impacts.
4. Global Supply Chain Integration
- Move Beyond Protectionism: Rather than adopting protectionist industrial policies, India should integrate into global clean energy supply chains.
- Collaborative Opportunities: Explore roles in solar PV and green hydrogen supply chains, leveraging global partnerships.
- Global Rules and Interdependence: Support a rules-based approach for energy security over unilateral policies.
5. Digitalisation and Decarbonisation
- Synergy Between Two Revolutions: Combine digitalisation with decarbonisation efforts to improve energy efficiency.
- Smart Infrastructure: Investment in AI, smart appliances, and meters can optimise energy flows and enhance system resilience.
- Digital Business Models: Shift focus from hardware to software-driven solutions that leverage India’s growing internet penetration for energy management.
6. Circular Economy for Sustainability
- Adopting a Circular Economy: Transition from linear to circular economy models to support critical mineral security.
- Solar Waste Management: Potential cumulative solar waste could reach 600 kilotonnes by 2030, creating a need for recycling and resource recovery.
- Broader Environmental Impact: Circular economy strategies can also benefit air quality, urban sanitation, water availability, and energy security.
7. Consumer-Centric Financing
- People at the Core: Shift financing focus to end-use consumers rather than solely on power developers.
- Access to Green Financing: Support consumer financing for small-scale clean energy initiatives, like electric vehicles or rooftop solar.
- Portfolio Approach: Aggregating small consumers into a larger portfolio can unlock significant market opportunities.
Conclusion: This decade is pivotal for India’s energy transition, marking not just a shift from one energy source to another but a transformative opportunity to redefine our approach to energy, economics, and environmental stewardship. At its core, this transition must place people at the heart of policies, ensuring that the benefits and changes truly resonate with and support the broader population.
Editorial 2 : Bulldozer injustice
Introduction: In its judgement against ‘Bulldozer Justice’ by the Supreme Court Bench comprising of justice K V Vishwanathan and B R Gavai, Court has reiterated the presence of rule of law, and natural justice that are enshrined in Indian constitution. This is a welcome judgement from the protector of fundamental rights of Indians.
What was ‘Bulldozer justice’?
- Beginning with the Uttar Pradesh government, then in other BJP-ruled states such as Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand and even in then Congress-ruled Rajasthan, the bulldozer has become a symbol of summary “justice”.
- More often than not, the houses and properties destroyed have belonged to people from the minority community and those at the margins.
- It was seen as a form of summary execution of the executive branch of government on mere allegation of crime on a culprit.
- The officers used to give some flimsy excuse of “illegal encroachment” to take punitive action against those merely accused of crimes.
What did the court say in its judgement?
- The chilling sight of a bulldozer demolishing a building, when authorities have failed to follow the basic principles of natural justice reminds one of a lawless state of affairs.
- Court has confirmed that justice cannot be found at the end of a bulldozer, that punishment without due process violates fundamental rights.
- Justices K V Vishwanathan and B R Gavai has rightly pointed out how the demolition of the homes and properties of those accused of crimes cannot be reconciled with the basic principles of India’s Constitution, including the rule of law, separation of powers, the presumption of innocence and the illegality of collective punishment.
- Using its power under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Court has laid down guidelines for the demolition of properties, including providing a personal notice and time for appeal.
- It also ruled that “officials found to be in violation of the orders of this Court, will be held responsible for restitution of the demolished property at his/their personal cost”.
- The Court has said its directions will not be applicable, “if there is any unauthorised structure in any public place such as road, street, footpath, abutting railway line…”.
The execution of guidelines will remain a matter of concern
- For the Court’s eloquent defence of rights and legal principles to have substance it must percolate to every judicial officer in the country.
- More importantly, it is up against a political logic that is becoming increasingly widespread.
- The Court has, in recent years, also spoken against hate speech and murders by semi-vigilante groups in the name of cow protection.
- On the former, it had, in 2023, directed all states and UTs to take suo motu action and warned that not adhering to its guidelines would be considered contempt of court.
- That warning seems not to have had the desired effect.
- On cow vigilantism, too, it is debatable whether the message has been heeded.
Conclusion: Those affected by bulldozer excesses often cannot appeal to the apex court. For them, the local councillor and police are the visible face of a state that frequently intimidates. A shift in attitude is needed here. Regardless of ideology, governments should not treat these excesses as a badge of honour. The Supreme Court’s verdict should echo beyond the judiciary, influencing politicians and administrators who directly impact people’s lives.