Conceptualizing Energy Transition Within Gandhian Framework

Abstract

In the current scenario of globalisation, environmental pollution, climate change and the consequently perceived energy transition, this paper attempts to establish the case for Gandhian perspective as a solution to the present challenges faced by the world in the context of sustainability. With the awakening of Climate Change as the biggest challenge of mankind which generates the dilemma or trade off between growth and environmental sustainability, this paper finds its explanation in the notion sustainably as prescribed by Gandhian Economics. While tackling the environmental concerns, the developing countries need a policy framework which supports the structural transformation of their energy system towards renewable energy sources. Given the bottlenecks of lack of capital. Innovative capacity , other multitude problems like unemployment, poverty etc. prevailing in all developing countries like India, energy transition towards renewables become a challenge. This is another concern of developing economies which again finds its unfolding in the principles prescribed by Gandhian notion of self–reliant and self sufficient decentralised communities. As a result the paper successfully establishes the foundation of Gandhian thought , Gandhian Economics and Gandhian perspective as a key instrument to visualize the process of energy transition in growing economies like India.