Table of Contents
Analysis of The Indian Express Editorial 1 : A green transition for India
Introduction
As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, India finds itself at the forefront of the global conversation on sustainable energy. With the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and global environmental summits like COP29, one thing is clear: India must pursue a green transition that promotes equitable decarbonisation while sustaining economic growth. For this transition to be successful, it must attract substantial climate finance to fuel investments in infrastructure and clean energy. Moreover, the transition should be inclusive, ensuring that the benefits of a cleaner economy reach all sections of society.
To build a resilient, green energy system that powers a robust economy, India needs to focus on seven key shifts that can redefine its energy landscape. Let’s explore these fundamental changes and understand how they can pave the way for India’s sustainable future.
India’s Growing Power Demand
India’s energy needs are growing at an unprecedented rate. By 2031-32, peak power demand is projected to reach nearly 370 gigawatts (GW)—almost double what it is today. This rapid increase requires India to rethink its approach to energy investments and infrastructure, with a sharp focus on sustainable solutions. Meeting this demand requires strategic inflection points, where new business models and technologies take center stage, ensuring that growth aligns with the goals of climate resilience and sustainability.
Why Strategic Investments Matter
To meet these growing energy needs sustainably, India must adopt a proactive approach that focuses on key enabling metrics—those that align with the reality of a warming planet. Monitoring these metrics helps track progress and triggers the necessary shifts in policy and investment, driving the country toward a clean energy future.
Seven Fundamental Shifts for a Green and Strong Indian Economy
1. Decentralized Energy Systems
India’s energy future lies in shifting from traditional, centralised energy grids to decentralised systems, especially Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) sources. This shift allows for more scalable, flexible energy solutions that can adapt to local needs.
Rooftop Solar: A Key Player
One of India’s most ambitious goals is to solarise 10 million households, potentially adding 30 GW of clean power to the grid. However, achieving this goal requires overcoming the challenge of affordability, as high upfront costs deter many lower-income households from adopting rooftop solar, even with subsidies.
Innovative Business Models
To address these financial barriers, innovative business models like community solar projects or pay-as-you-go systems can make renewable energy more accessible. These solutions not only decentralise energy production but also ensure that clean energy is available to all, regardless of economic status.
2. From Capex to Opex Models
India needs to rethink how energy services are paid for. Traditionally, the focus has been on capital expenditure (capex), but shifting to an operational expenditure (opex) model can be more effective.
Energy as a Service
By treating solar power and other energy solutions as a service—where consumers pay for what they use rather than bearing high upfront costs—energy companies can make clean energy more accessible. This model can also be extended to areas like energy efficiency, district cooling, and sustainable mobility, ensuring that consumers can benefit from green technologies without financial strain.
3. Climate-Resilient Investments
In a world increasingly affected by climate change, India’s investments must focus on long-term resilience rather than short-term gains. Over 80% of India’s population lives in climate-vulnerable areas, making it critical to build resilient energy infrastructure.
The Cost of Resilience
Investing in climate-proof infrastructure may seem costly upfront, but it’s far less risky than the macroeconomic losses that climate impacts could cause. By focusing on climate resilience, India can protect its economy from the devastating effects of environmental changes while ensuring a sustainable energy future.
4. Integrating into Global Supply Chains
To secure its place in the global clean energy market, India needs to move beyond protectionist policies and embrace global supply chains. This is especially relevant in sectors like solar PV and green hydrogen, where international collaboration can accelerate India’s energy transition.
Global Cooperation Over Protectionism
Rather than relying solely on domestic production, India should aim to integrate into global supply chains for clean energy technologies. By partnering with other nations and supporting a rules-based global system, India can bolster its energy security while contributing to the world’s green energy goals.
5. Digitalisation Meets Decarbonisation
The future of energy in India lies at the intersection of two major revolutions: digitalisation and decarbonisation. Together, these forces can improve energy efficiency and make energy systems more resilient.
Smart Infrastructure for a Green Future
Investing in smart infrastructure—such as AI-driven appliances, smart meters, and automated energy systems—can optimise energy flows and reduce waste. By focusing on software-driven solutions, India can create a more efficient energy system that capitalises on the country’s growing internet penetration and technological prowess.
6. Embracing the Circular Economy
To truly achieve sustainability, India must shift from a linear to a circular economy model. This approach focuses on reusing and recycling resources, reducing waste, and ensuring the sustainability of critical minerals.
Solar Waste Management: A Growing Concern
As India ramps up its solar energy production, it faces a growing problem: solar waste. By 2030, India could generate 600 kilotonnes of solar waste, highlighting the urgent need for effective recycling and resource recovery strategies. Beyond solar waste, the circular economy can also address broader environmental issues like air quality, urban sanitation, and water conservation.
7. Consumer-Centric Financing
At the heart of India’s energy transition must be the consumer. Financing models should shift focus from developers and large corporations to end-use consumers, making it easier for individuals to access clean energy solutions.
Unlocking Green Financing for All
To truly democratise clean energy, India needs to support green financing for small-scale projects such as electric vehicles and rooftop solar installations. By aggregating small consumers into larger portfolios, India can create significant market opportunities while ensuring that everyone can participate in the green transition.
Conclusion
This decade is a pivotal moment for India. The green transition is not just about shifting from one energy source to another; it’s about rethinking the way India approaches energy, economy, and environmental stewardship. At the heart of this transformation must be the people—ensuring that everyone, from the wealthiest urban dwellers to the most vulnerable rural communities, can benefit from a cleaner, greener future.
By embracing decentralised energy systems, digitalisation, resilient infrastructure, and consumer-focused financing, India has the opportunity to lead the world in sustainable development. With strategic investments and forward-thinking policies, India’s energy transition can not only power a strong economy but also protect the planet for future generations.
Analysis of The Indian Express Editorial 1 : Bulldozer injustice
Introduction
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India recently condemned the practice of ‘Bulldozer Justice’, a term used to describe the summary demolition of properties without due process. The ruling, delivered by a bench comprising Justices K V Vishwanathan and B R Gavai, reaffirmed the importance of the rule of law and natural justice as enshrined in the Indian Constitution. This verdict is a significant victory for the protection of fundamental rights in India, ensuring that no citizen is punished without due legal process.
What Is ‘Bulldozer Justice’?
Over the last few years, the term Bulldozer Justice has become synonymous with the use of bulldozers by authorities in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and even Congress-ruled Rajasthan, to demolish homes and properties. Often, these demolitions targeted people from marginalized or minority communities, raising concerns about the misuse of power.
This practice saw government officials bypassing the legal system, using bulldozers as a tool of punishment based on mere allegations of criminal activity. The excuse often given was that the properties in question were illegal encroachments, but these actions blurred the line between administrative authority and vigilante justice. What made this even more alarming was that such demolitions were conducted without following proper legal procedures, effectively turning allegations into punishments.
The Supreme Court’s Judgment: Defending Due Process
The Supreme Court’s ruling emphasized that justice cannot be delivered by a bulldozer. Demolitions conducted without due process and without following the principles of natural justice violate the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The court stressed that punishments must be determined by courts, not by the executive, and certainly not in a manner that disregards the presumption of innocence.
Justice K V Vishwanathan and Justice B R Gavai highlighted several critical points in their judgment:
- Presumption of Innocence: The homes and properties of those accused of crimes cannot be demolished based on mere allegations.
- Collective Punishment: Collective punishment of families or communities is unconstitutional and violates the rule of law.
- Article 142: Using its powers under Article 142, the court laid out strict guidelines for any future demolitions. These include:
- Issuing personal notices to the property owners.
- Allowing adequate time for appeal before any demolition.
- Accountability: Any officials who violate these guidelines will be held personally responsible for restoring the demolished property at their own cost.
The court did, however, clarify that these guidelines do not apply to unauthorized structures in public spaces like roads, footpaths, or railway lines, where demolition may be necessary to uphold public safety and order.
Implementation of Guidelines: Challenges Ahead
While the Supreme Court’s ruling offers a strong defense of citizens’ rights, the challenge lies in ensuring that these principles are upheld by local authorities and judicial officers across India. The political climate in many states has embraced Bulldozer Justice as a symbol of swift action against crime, despite its violations of the law.
The court has also previously ruled against hate speech and cow vigilantism, urging states and Union Territories to take suo motu action in such cases. However, compliance with these rulings has been inconsistent. Despite clear directives, the impact on the ground has been limited, raising concerns about the effectiveness of such judicial interventions in curbing lawlessness driven by political agendas.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s verdict against Bulldozer Justice is a powerful reminder that the rule of law must prevail over arbitrary executive actions. For those affected by these excesses, appealing to the courts is often not an option, as they face intimidation from local authorities.
It is crucial for governments, regardless of political ideology, to recognize that using such measures as symbols of strength undermines the very foundation of democracy and justice. The message of the Supreme Court must resonate beyond the judiciary, encouraging politicians and administrators to uphold the values of fairness, justice, and accountability in their actions.
Table: Key Elements of the Supreme Court’s Judgment on Bulldozer Justice
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Due Process | Punishment cannot be meted out without proper legal proceedings. |
| Personal Notice | Property owners must receive personal notice before demolition. |
| Time for Appeal | Adequate time must be given for property owners to appeal against demolition orders. |
| Accountability | Officials violating the guidelines will be personally responsible for restitution of demolished properties. |
| Exceptions | Unauthorized structures in public spaces like roads or footpaths are not protected by the guidelines. |
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