Green Economy: Striving for Prosperity
Green Economy: Striving for Prosperity
Mains Exam: General Studies Paper 3
(Indian Economy)
August 18, 2023
Foreword:
- The climate crisis is currently affecting the entire economy. But with the growing trend of green economy, employment and traditional livelihoods are taking a new shape. The entire system of production and distribution is changing due to green technology.
- In the modern era, we all see that economies have an important role which determines the amount of prosperity and development. Green economy in our society means establishing a balanced and developed economy together with social, economic, and environmental reforms.
Status of Green Economy in India:
- According to UNCTAD's Technology and Innovation Report-2023, India ranks 43rd in green economy. America ranks first, Germany seventh and China ninth in the list of 166 countries.
- The International Labor Organization ie ILO has defined every employment in the green category, which is associated with an economic activity that reduces carbon emissions. It is highest in agriculture, industry, service and administrative activities. Currently, 75 million jobs around the world are focused only on nature-based activities.
- The ILO estimates that by 2030 an additional 20 million jobs will be created through nature-based enterprises.
- One lakh sixty four thousand people were employed in the solar and wind energy sector in the country in the last financial year.
- According to the joint report of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and ILO, a total of 8 lakh 63 thousand green jobs were created in India in 2020-21. At present, twenty percent of the country's total workforce is associated with green employment.
- The 'Skill Council for Green Jobs' estimates that 30 lakh 26 thousand youth will get jobs by 2050 in the solar energy sector alone.
- According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, there will be five crore direct and indirect jobs in the electric vehicle industry by the end of this decade. Six lakh jobs will be created in order to achieve green hydrogen production capacity of 50 lakh metric tonnes annually in the same period.
- The presence of green resources in India has increased over the years from kitchens to large industrial units. Energy efficient methods of cooling and heating are being adopted in residential projects.
- In the direction of skill development, 'Skill Council of Green Job' (SCGJ) has presented a good model by training more than one lakh people through 'Suryamitra Training Programme'. The more emphasis the National Skill Development Corporation's skill council focuses on thirty-six different sectors on green technology training, the better it will be for the job market.
- A 'Green Job Portal' should be set up to encourage green employment opportunities among the youth.
- Skill and competency upgradation schemes promoting green employment have to be coordinated.
- Under this, training of green technology should be imparted to the beneficiaries through Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Deendayal Upadhyaya Gramin Kaushal Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan, Mudra Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
Significance of Green Economy:
- The importance of the green economy has increased with the changing times in the areas of trade, investment, and employment in a more hierarchical economy. Along with this, issues like environmental abuse, climate change and pollution are also affecting our economies. The objective of the campaigns of green economy is to ensure our economic development by judiciously using the communicated natural resources, so that we can bring sustainability and responsibility to the future generations.
Benefits of Green Economy:
- Social reform: Problems such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality can be solved by the drive for a green economy. It takes steps towards social harmony and equality in the society.
- Economic Security: Under green economy, economic security can be achieved by investing in various economic sectors. It helps towards prosperity and stability.
- Environmental protection: Green economy encourages the use of useful resources in the right way, which can lead to the protection of the environment.
Measures to achieve Green Economy:
- Use of innovative techniques: Innovative techniques can be used in production with greater responsibility and less pollution.
- Specialization and Incentives: Schemes of Specialization and Incentives can be used more by government and non-governmental organizations to encourage new and sustainable entrepreneurship.
- Education and Training: Through education and training, people can get the knowledge to produce in a more appropriate way, so that they can manage their entrepreneurship in the best way. People in the working age group (15-59) should be provided opportunities for green technology and skill training.
- Green technology has an important role in providing services ranging from power generation to everyday. As the global economy takes a turn towards climate economy, India has opportunities both domestically and internationally. Provided, of course, that we can acquire the technology and skills associated with green jobs. This is possible only by increasing research and investment in green technology
- According to a study by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), fifty crore people in the country are in need of one or the other skill.
- Essential skill upgradation programs required for green employment should be taken forward through National Education Policy-2020. Courses focused on renewable energy, green transport, gas-based economy and nanotechnology will have to be promoted.
- It is a good sign to start diploma to PhD courses on these subjects in prestigious educational institutions of the country, but the industry-academia coordination in these courses is still weak. It has to be decided that these courses should not be limited to educational institutions located only in metropolitan cities. Remember, employers are among the primary beneficiaries of skill development and upskilling.
Conclusions:
- Green economy strives towards a coherent, prosperous, and socially just economy. It can become a means of providing social and economic security by improving all sectors, so that we can give a better future to the coming generations.
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Mains Exam Question
Explain the position of Indian Economy in the context of Green Economy.