Bihar Environment Secretary Bandana Preyashi Advocates Sustainable Electric Vehicle Transition at COP28

Dubai: Bandana Preyashi, Secretary of the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Bihar participated in a dynamic panel discussion on the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) at the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai on Sunday.

The session, themed ‘Equitable Workforce Transition in the Auto Sector: Perspectives from India and the US,’ took place at the ‘Just Transition Pavilion’ and featured distinguished representatives from industry, labor, policy, finance, and technology sectors. The panel aimed to foster cross-country dialogue and identify effective strategies addressing economic, labor, and social justice issues during the transformative period of EV transition.

Secretary Preyashi, sharing her views on EV transition in the Indian context, emphasized three critical aspects in policy considerations: finance, technology, and equity. “Finance is key to supporting the transition, technology is crucial for sustainability and reducing carbon footprints, and any transition should prioritize inclusivity, promoting equity,” she said.

Addressing gender equity in the traditionally male-dominated automobile sector, Secretary Preyashi highlighted the need for extensive skilling for women and the creation of an ecosystem providing a sense of safety, including flexible working hours and daycare centers.

Expressing her personal perspective on EVs, Secretary Preyashi emphasized the importance of local sustainability and recyclability of components. She urged a comprehensive approach to e-waste generated from EVs, ensuring proper disposal methods.

Delving into the environmental aspects associated with EVs, Secretary Preyashi emphasized the necessity of thoroughly assessing the carbon footprint of EVs to ensure their environmental impact is truly green. She acknowledged the balance between the economy and the environment but stressed the importance of assessing long-term sustainability.

Secretary Preyashi noted that EVs represent a positive shift from vehicles running on fossil fuels like petrol and diesel. She acknowledged this phase as a transition period and suggested exploring alternative options, such as green hydrogen.

The panel also included esteemed participants Seema Arora, Deputy Director General, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII); Allen Blue, VP Product Management and Co-founder, LinkedIn;  Michelle Armstrong, Managing Director and Head of Philanthropy, Ares Charitable Foundation; and Diana Junquera Curiel, Director Energy Industry and Just Transition at IndustriALL Global Union and Advisor at ITUC.

The panel was moderated by Ashwini Hingne, Associate Program Director at WRI India, who also made an insightful presentation on different aspects of EV transition in the US and India, highlighting vulnerabilities and challenges.