Dr. Sandeep Pai

Systems-level repurposing of coal assets: Insights from South Africa, India, and the United States The global coal value chain is extensive and spans countries. Nearly 7000 coal mines collectively produce over 8.5 billion tons of coal every year. Ov…

Feedback welcome

Link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Three promising systems-level pathways emerged to replace coal value chains:

⚡ Alternative energy value chains
🏗️ Overburden to M-sand value chains
🌾 Agriculture value chains (7/n)

What did we find?

🔹 Countries are at different stages of research, planning, & implementation
🔹 Most repurposing efforts focus on individual coal mines and power plants
🔹 Transport networks & ports are overlooked (with the US as an exception)

(6/n)

RQ3: What options exist for systems-level repurposing of these coal value chains?

(5/n)

RQ1: What are the components of the coal value chain in the major coal dependent countries of South Africa, India, and the US?

RQ2: For each country, what is the current state of academic knowledge & policy action regarding repurposing key segments of the coal value chain? (4/n)

Yet there has been no systems-level investigation of coal repurposing in key economies. 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐚𝐩. We focused on SA, India, and the US and conducted a mixed methods study (lit review, field visits, interviews, & a multi-stakeholder workshop) to answer the following RQ's: (3/n)

If poorly managed, any coal transition will deeply affect jobs, revenues, across regions. Many view coal asset repurposing (converting closed coal mines, plants, etc. to other uses like solar) as a cornerstone of just transition. (2/n)

🛑 New Paper on Coal Value Chain Repurposing 🛑

Globally, there are 7,000+ coal mines, 2,400+ coal-fired power plants (2100 GW), and vast rail, road, and port networks built around coal. Meeting 1.5–2°C climate targets means this system will shrink fast... Link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Volts 5 year anniversary! + community thread #25 Open to all free & paid subscribers.

Saw this fun bit in the post by @volts.wtf www.volts.wtf/p/volts-5-ye...
“@David, any guesses which non English-speaking country ranks inside the top 5?
The answer is the largest country by population, India, with 3 percent of all subscribers.”
Maybe time to do a pod with @sandeeppai.bsky.social!

🎙️ 5 years ago, Shreya Jai & I started The India Energy Hour podcast without really knowing how podcasts work. What we did know was that we wanted honest conversations about the nuts and bolts of…... 🎙️ 5 years ago, Shreya Jai & I started The India Energy Hour podcast without really knowing how podcasts work. What we did know was that we wanted honest conversations about the nuts and bolts of the ...

@volts.wtf we finished 5 years of The India Energy Hour podcast as well. Very few podcasts focus on India but gosh there is so much appetite.

www.linkedin.com/posts/sandee...

The India Energy Hour Presented by 101Reporters Science Podcast · Updated Biweekly · The India Energy Hour podcast features in-depth conversations with leading energy, development & climate experts from academia, civil society, & the government. Th...

12) The India Energy Hour

Discussions about the major issues in India’s energy transition with a different guest every episode.

One episode every two weeks

🔌💡 @sandeeppai.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Global "arc" of just transition

Most people don't recognize the “Arc” of Just Transition, not all countries are at the same stage. I believe countries are at different stages of just transition planning and implementation. There is an arc with three phases:

📊 Recommendations for CSOs:

Identify and support champion parliamentarians. Provide data and research to these parliamentarians to enhance both international and domestic advocacy. Organize NDC-related workshops that directly involve parliamentarians to strengthen engagement.

6/n

3️⃣ South Africa: NDC formation is a hybrid approach that combines technical analysis with extensive stakeholder consultations. Parliamentarians can advocate for inclusive, ambitious NDCs through parliamentary committees and constituency engagement.

5/n

2️⃣ Kenya: It has a more consultative, bottom-up approach to NDC formulation with strong formal avenues for parliamentarians to influence NDCs. Parliamentarians in Kenya can engage in international platforms, introduce bills, and directly advocate through government task forces.

4/n

Our reserach finds that:

1️⃣ India: NDC formulation is largely top-down, where parliamentarians can play a vital role in driving advocacy through international collaboration, bills, and debates. But here, parliamentarians will have to rely on self-driven initiatives

3/n

Yet, current NDCs remain insufficient to meet the 1.5°C climate goal. In this context, our new reserach explores the role parliamentarians in the Global South—specifically in India, Kenya, and South Africa—can play in shaping these NDCs.

2/n

🌍 Thrilled to share our NEW report: Role Parliamentarians Can Play in Shaping Nationally Determined Contributions 🌍

#COP30 in Brazil, every country is expected to update their NDCs. Less than 15% of countries have updated their NDCs as of now. (1/n)

www.swaniti.com/research-ana...

About a year and half ago, @sandeeppai.bsky.social , Suravee Nayak, Sree Harica and I started putting together a review article for WIRES Climate Change on India's complicated relationship with its coal industry.

Global South’s G20 Streak: A Turning Point for Climate and Energy Leadership? | ft. Dr. Prabhat Upadhyaya The India Energy Hour Presented by 101Reporters · Episode

Listen to the full episode now!
Spotify: pod.101rpt.in/377F
Apple: pod.101rpt.in/nUqA
Amazon: pod.101rpt.in/8jss
Website: pod.101rpt.in/12Cu

#G20 #GlobalSouth #EnergyTransition #ClimateAction

Global South’s G20 Streak: A Turning Point for Climate and Energy Leadership? | ft. Dr. Prabhat Upadhyaya The India Energy Hour Presented by 101Reporters · Episode

To understand these questions, we interviewed Prabhat Upadhyaya, who understand G20s like no one else. Shreya Jai The African Climate Foundation

Global South’s G20 Streak: A Turning Point for Climate and Energy Leadership? | ft. Dr. Prabhat Upadhyaya The India Energy Hour Presented by 101Reporters · Episode

But how much can Global South countries achieve through the G20 process in the energy and climate space? But even before answering that, how does G20 really work? How can one influence the G20 process? What role can CSOs, Philanthropy and others play in the process?

Global South’s G20 Streak: A Turning Point for Climate and Energy Leadership? | ft. Dr. Prabhat Upadhyaya The India Energy Hour Presented by 101Reporters · Episode

✅ New The India Energy Hour Podcast Episode ✅

The consecutive G20 presidencies of Indonesia 🇮🇩, India 🇮🇳, Brazil 🇧🇷, and South Africa 🇿🇦 is a crucial phase for the Global South to shape discussions on energy transition and climate action.

We are delighted to launch a NEW report on challenges, opportunities & immediate prospects for methane mitigation in the coal and oil & gas sectors in India

This report is a culmination of 1 year of work spanning literature review, workshops, interviews, meetings etc.

RSVP: lnkd.in/esaBhs4G

Registration Form Welcome to the "Just Transition & Economic Diversification of Jharkhand’s Coal Heartland: Ground-up Studies from Ramgarh and Bokaro" report launch event, scheduled to take place on 11th February 2025,...

RSVP: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

(3/3)

Over the past year, we've conducted one of the largest ground-up economic diversification studies in the region — covering everything from household to industrial surveys, interviews etc -- in two districts of Jharkhand.
(2/3)

🌍 Announcing: Massive Economic Diversification Study in Jharkhand 🌍

As one of India's most coal-dependent state, Jharkhand is taking proactive steps toward a just transition...(1/3)

✅ Joint Investments in Mining, Processing, & Manufacturing
✅ Joint Establishment of Centers for Skill Development
✅ Joint Messaging and Advocacy
✅ Joint Investment in Research and Development of New Technologies and Processes
✅ Joint Advocacy for Favourable Trade Policies and Sector Standards

How can Global South countries secure their Critical Mineral value chains? They can do this by collaborating strategically to build value chains

Check out my latest commentary with colleagues, where we outline 5 areas for collaboration 1/n

www.transitionmineralscouncil.org/post/roadmap...

Research specialist position at Chalmers University — POLET POLET is recruiting a Research specialist in quantitative methods of technology and policy change. Applications should be received by January 31st, 2025.

I'm recruiting a Research specialist in quantitative methods of technology and policy change. Come join a fantastic team! www.polet.network/blog/researc...