ABSTRACT
The ambitious announcements towards low carbon pathways under international climate commitments envisage large-scale changes in energy systems, broadly understood as energy transition. Transition to a sustainable energy mix is not just a matter of technical and financial planning. Lives and livelihoods of many are directly and indirectly connected to energy production and services. Hence, social, economic, and political challenges are inherent. Along with challenges, transition also offers multiple opportunities. Global experience with transition suggests that the people who bear the burden of the transition do not benefit from the opportunities presented by it. Transition to a sustainable energy mix might exacerbate or ameliorate these fault lines. Hence, it becomes pertinent that we build a consensus on the outcomes of a Just Transition in the context of India. Just Transition discourses across the globe advocate for people-centred transition. We shall explore the legitimacy of such action within the constitutional framework and India's development paradigm. We shall also attempt to define governance and development principles to achieve Just Transition.
