India’s journey towards net-zero emissions holds the promise of generating millions of employment opportunities. However, a significant gap in skilled workers may impact progress, observes Ratul Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power.
“The green economy paradigm aims to address both climate change mitigation and foster economic growth by creating jobs,” Puri said.
Considerable Job Creation Potential
In line with India’s COP26 commitment to achieve net-zero by 2070, Puri believes this milestone could be reached even sooner. “It is anticipated that India might achieve net-zero as early as 2060,” he mentioned.
With India ranked among the top countries advancing renewable energy, the nation is targeting 50% electricity generation from renewables by 2030. Job creation in this sector is significant: solar power could create 3.26 million jobs by 2050, wind energy could generate 0.18 million jobs by 2030, and bioenergy alongside green hydrogen may add 0.27 million and 0.6 million jobs respectively by 2030.
India’s electric vehicle industry alone could provide 10 million direct jobs and 50 million indirect jobs by 2030. “This sector is well-positioned to welcome new workers, upskill existing talent, and integrate the current 35 million ICE workforce,” Puri noted.
Addressing the Skills Gap
Despite encouraging projections, Puri highlighted the importance of preparing for upcoming workforce demands. “Studies show that a smaller pool of green talent and fewer established pathways for developing relevant skills present ongoing challenges during this transition,” he explained.
Initiatives like the Skill Council for Green Jobs and the Green Skill Development Programme have trained approximately one million candidates so far—a number below the expected demand. “As green job opportunities rise, strengthening the ecosystem to support relevant skill sets continues to evolve,” added Puri.
He outlined some primary challenges such as funding limitations, evolving policies, infrastructure needs, and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders. “Applying a set of thoughtful policy and reform measures will help address these aspects,” he emphasized.
Promoting Fair Transition and Harnessing Demographic Opportunities
Puri underlined the value of inclusive growth. “Ensuring equal opportunities for those currently engaged in traditional industries—who may need to transition to greener roles—is vital for a climate-resilient economy,” he stated.
The coming years are especially significant. By 2030, 69% of India’s population will be of working age—the country’s highest ever. “Advancing green jobs can maximize this demographic potential, helping India meet its net-zero objectives and create skilled talent for the emerging climate-resilient economy,” Puri remarked.
A Call for Action
Ratul Puri’s recommendation is for strong, collaborative efforts. “Meaningful cooperation among public, private, and non-governmental organizations can help address these challenges. This includes building the necessary skill infrastructure and raising awareness through sustained campaigns,” he concluded.
Tags: Ratul Puri, Hindustan Power, Moser Baer
