In the vast landscape of India, where rural communities comprise a significant majority, the intersection of technology and development has a profound impact. As the nation grapples with the twin imperatives of economic progress and environmental management, clean technologies emerge as key tools for inclusive rural development.
Climate crisis affects the entire ecosystem of the Earth, impacting not only health and livelihoods but also the very fabric of our environment. In such a situation, clean and green technology has emerged as the cornerstone of inclusive development. India has made substantial progress in policy and innovation to address this. With 62 per cent of the country’s population living in villages, green technology is enhancing the quality of rural life and strengthening the rural economy.
Historical Context and Environmental Challenges
Since the advent of human civilisation, production and distribution methods have evolved significantly. Technology has been pivotal in driving the entire supply chain. The Industrial Revolution in Europe led to extensive mechanisation of production activities, increasing the use of coal, petrol, diesel, and natural gas. While these advances solved many challenges, they also introduced significant environmental issues, such as carbon emissions from centralised industries and unplanned urbanisation.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the transport and industrial sectors alone account for 30 and 24 per cent of total carbon emissions, respectively. Agriculture contributes between 14-21 per cent to greenhouse gas emissions. Rising carbon emissions have led to melting glaciers, unseasonal rains, droughts, and falling water levels. A 2021 World Bank report highlights that reducing carbon emissions effectively can slow down the melting of glaciers and improve water resource security. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that emissions need to be halved by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Government Initiatives and Policy Frameworks
The Indian government has been proactive in promoting green technology to address these challenges. At the 26th climate conference in Glasgow, India set a target of generating 500 GW of non-fossil-based electricity by 2030. The country ranks fourth globally in installed renewable energy capacity, with significant strides in wind and solar energy production. Government policies and incentives, such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for high-efficiency solar PV modules, are driving this progress.
Solar Power and Photovoltaic Technology
Green technology is crucial for achieving energy self-sufficiency in rural India. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, which converts sunlight directly into electricity, is the most popular green technology in renewable energy. Rooftop solar PV systems are helping rural areas meet their power needs and contribute surplus production to the grid. Key installations include Gram Panchayat buildings, Anganwadi centres, primary health centres, and schools.
The Solar Alliance, initiated by India in 2015, has facilitated technology transfer for converting sunlight into energy resources. The government’s PLI scheme supports the manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV modules, with production sites in Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), Jaipur (Rajasthan), and Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu).
Expanding Battery Energy Storage Capacity
India’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS) has been operationalised by the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. This 40 MW BESS stores solar energy and helps meet the state’s energy requirements, reducing carbon dioxide emissions significantly. The project is funded by the World Bank, the Clean Technology Fund, and domestic lending agencies, demonstrating a successful model of public-private partnership in green technology.
Harnessing Agricultural Waste for Energy
Agricultural waste holds significant potential for green energy production. India, with 53 crore livestock according to the 2019 Animal Husbandry and Dairying Animal Census, can convert organic residues into valuable energy resources using waste-to-energy technology. The International Biofuel Alliance, established in 2023, aims to enhance partnerships between developing countries and green technology leaders like the US, Brazil, and Indonesia. India focuses on producing second-generation ethanol from agricultural residues, alongside first-generation ethanol from starch and sugar.
Electric Vehicles in Rural Transport
Electric vehicles (EVs) are driving green initiatives in the transport sector, using 62 per cent of the electricity provided as fuel. The penetration of CNG and electric vehicles in rural markets is 17 and 30 per cent, respectively. Rural areas, with predominantly single-storey homes, offer greater flexibility for developing EV charging infrastructure. India’s rapid shift to lithium-ion batteries has made EVs more cost-efficient and effective.
Green Technology in Rural Infrastructure
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the use of locally prepared green materials is being ensured in road construction. Technologies such as cement stabilisation, lime stabilisation, cold mix, waste plastic, cell-filled concrete, and fly ash are being utilised. These roads are connected to the Geographical Information System (GIS) for better planning and management.
Recycling E-Waste and Promoting Circular Economy
Indian researchers have developed indigenous lithium-ion battery recycling technology, promoting a circular economy. This technology can recycle mixed-type Li-ion batteries, recovering up to 95 per cent of valuable minerals like lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel. The Centre of Excellence on E-Waste Management, established at the Materials Centre for Electronics Technology (C-MET) in Hyderabad, is a key player in this effort.
Accelerating Green Hydrogen Production
The Green Hydrogen Mission, approved on January 4, 2023, focuses on producing green hydrogen using renewable energy sources. The mission aims to reduce the cost of green hydrogen production and increase its availability. NTPC Green Energy Limited and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Corporation are jointly developing an integrated green hydrogen hub in Visakhapatnam, which will be India’s largest green hydrogen production facility.
Green Technology in Water and Sanitation
Under the National Jal Jeevan Mission, green technologies are being used for water purification and sanitation. Techniques like sewage treatment, grey and black water treatment using green plants and bacterial cultures, and auto-chlorination are being promoted. AI and machine learning are being used for online water quality monitoring.
Carbon Capture and Storage Technology
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is being developed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources. CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide at emission sources, transporting it, and storing it underground. The NITI Aayog report on Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) highlights the potential of this technology to produce value-added products like green urea and bio-plastics.
Promoting Green Technology Patents
India is making strides in green technology patents, with significant growth in patent applications. The country has established centres of excellence in intellectual property to expedite patent applications and provides financial assistance for international patent filing through the SIP-EIT scheme.
Green Technology and Job Creation
Green technology is transforming the job market in India. In the last financial year, 164,000 people were employed in the solar and wind energy sectors. The Skill Council for Green Jobs estimates that the solar energy sector alone will employ 3.26 million youths by 2050. The electric vehicle industry is expected to create 50 million direct and indirect jobs by the end of this decade.
Addressing Gender Inequality in Green Jobs
To increase women’s participation in the workforce, efforts are being made to make workplaces more women-friendly. The proportion of girls studying STEM subjects in India is about 43 per cent, higher than in many developed countries. Promoting gender equality in green jobs will help establish an eco-friendly lifestyle with the empowerment of half the population.
Conclusion
Green technology has permeated every aspect of life in India, from kitchens to large industrial units. The shift to a climate economy presents opportunities on both domestic and international fronts. By increasing research and investment in green technology, India can harness these opportunities and move towards a sustainable and inclusive future.
Arvind Kumar Mishra is Public Policy Expert; Jaiprakash Bisen is Scientist, Agricultural Economics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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