Trade Unions as Policy Actors in India’s Just Energy Transition: An Analysis

Globally, as nations grapple with the imperative to undergo transition from carbon intensive fossil fuel energy sector to more sustainable and renewable energy systems, the engagement of trade unions becomes crucial in reconciling the interests of labour, industry, and the environment. India being one of the top fossil fuel dependent countries in the Global South, has a huge workforce that is dependent on its fossil-based economy, coal in particular. This workforce has been represented by trade unions historically through a strong bargaining platform in the coal industry. In such a situation the role of trade unions becomes pivotal. In this paper, we examine the historical evolution of trade unions in India, their current positioning within the energy system, and their impact on policy formulation of India's energy transition ensuring justice for the workers. Being the legitimate collective of workers, trade unions play an important role in the coal industry in India having a strong bargaining power regarding the overall concerns of the workers. For the study, we conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with the national, state, and local level representatives of five central coal industry trade unions. Through a comprehensive analysis, the paper gives insight into the role of trade unions in negotiating a labour-friendly transition policy and thereby foster a just transition for workers in India’s coal sector. Further, this paper explores the potential conflicts and synergies between trade unions and other stakeholders, such as government bodies, industry, and environmental advocates. Finally, the paper offers insights that can inform policy frameworks for a sustainable, socially equitable and worker centric just energy transition in India.