Paper short abstract:

The paper examines local perspectives on coal-fired power closures in Uttar Pradesh, India, using stakeholder mapping, interviews and network analysis.

Paper long abstract:

One of the important ways to mitigate climate change is to significantly cut carbon emissions from energy sector and shift towards renewable energy resources in just/equitable way. In order to achieve this, there is an urgent need to build knowledge about just energy transition, especially from the global south. Existing scholarships has underlined the importance of engaging stakeholders and understanding their perception of climate change mitigation and governance to ensure energy justice. The variety of stakeholders interacting with each other at the local level adds to the complexity of ensuring justice for every stakeholder in the knowledge-building process. Further, knowledge on avoiding job loss while protecting the environment at local levels is yet evolving. We add to the existing literature by mapping local stakeholders (Trade Unions, Governments, Civil Society Organizations, Media Representative, Workers and Company) in two fossil-fuel dependent districts of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, where there are frequent thermal power plant closures. Using the narratives obtained through semi-structured interviews and local-level stakeholders’ workshops, we apply qualitative network analysis to generate a network map. The map visualises the dominant themes (jobs, environment and health concerns) emerging from their narratives about energy transition and how the stakeholders are connected based on those themes. The methods and findings can help an informed policy making of energy transition at sub-national levels in India and elsewhere.