<p>Despite the push for renewables, as per the Draft National Energy Policy of Niti Aayog, the demand for coal is likely to remain in the range of 1.3-1.5 billion tonne by 2030, the Economic Survey 2021-22 said.</p>.<p>Nonetheless, several initiatives are being taken by the coal and lignite producing public sector undertakings (PSUs) to reduce their carbon footprints, as per the Survey tabled in Parliament on Monday.</p>.<p>By 2020-21, the PSUs had brought 56,000 hectares of land under green cover creating a carbon sink of about 5.0 lakh tonne of CO2 equivalent/year.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/world-is-burning-the-most-coal-ever-to-keep-the-lights-on-1061824.html" target="_blank">World is burning the most coal ever to keep the lights on</a></strong></p>.<p>It is envisaged to bring about 30,000 hectares of additional land (in and around coal mining areas) under green cover by plantation of around 75 million trees by 2030.</p>.<p>Further, as of March 31, 2021, the PSUs have installed a renewable capacity of 1,496 megawatts and during the next five years it is planned to install additional 5,560 megawatts of renewable capacity with substantial carbon offset potential.</p>.<p>Opening up of coal mining for the private sector is the most ambitious coal sector reform. This will bring efficiency and competition in coal production, attract investments and best-in-class technology, and help create more jobs in the coal sector.</p>.<p>So far, 28 coal mines have been successfully auctioned. Out of these, 27 mines have been auctioned to private companies, and the process for the sale of 88 coal mines is underway.</p>.<p>Coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in India and accounts for 55 per cent of the country's energy needs. Coal production increased 12.24 per cent in April-October 2021.</p>.<p>Overall production of raw coal in the country during 2020-21 was 716.08 million tonne (provisional) as compared to 730.87 million tonne achieved in the previous year.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Despite the push for renewables, as per the Draft National Energy Policy of Niti Aayog, the demand for coal is likely to remain in the range of 1.3-1.5 billion tonne by 2030, the Economic Survey 2021-22 said.</p>.<p>Nonetheless, several initiatives are being taken by the coal and lignite producing public sector undertakings (PSUs) to reduce their carbon footprints, as per the Survey tabled in Parliament on Monday.</p>.<p>By 2020-21, the PSUs had brought 56,000 hectares of land under green cover creating a carbon sink of about 5.0 lakh tonne of CO2 equivalent/year.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/world-is-burning-the-most-coal-ever-to-keep-the-lights-on-1061824.html" target="_blank">World is burning the most coal ever to keep the lights on</a></strong></p>.<p>It is envisaged to bring about 30,000 hectares of additional land (in and around coal mining areas) under green cover by plantation of around 75 million trees by 2030.</p>.<p>Further, as of March 31, 2021, the PSUs have installed a renewable capacity of 1,496 megawatts and during the next five years it is planned to install additional 5,560 megawatts of renewable capacity with substantial carbon offset potential.</p>.<p>Opening up of coal mining for the private sector is the most ambitious coal sector reform. This will bring efficiency and competition in coal production, attract investments and best-in-class technology, and help create more jobs in the coal sector.</p>.<p>So far, 28 coal mines have been successfully auctioned. Out of these, 27 mines have been auctioned to private companies, and the process for the sale of 88 coal mines is underway.</p>.<p>Coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in India and accounts for 55 per cent of the country's energy needs. Coal production increased 12.24 per cent in April-October 2021.</p>.<p>Overall production of raw coal in the country during 2020-21 was 716.08 million tonne (provisional) as compared to 730.87 million tonne achieved in the previous year.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>