Essay On Caritas In Veritate In The Case Of India

SUMMARY OF EVOLUTION OF INDIAN ENERGY POLICY TO REACH THE CURRENT POLICIES

Indian has a rich and long history of policies in regard to energy use as well as intervention programs. The country implemented biogas energy use programs from as a early as the 1940’s. In the early and the late 1950’s, India implemented rural electrification programs as well as afforestation programs in order to enhance access of energy among the Indian populace. In the early 1970’s, the country developed its first biomass energy policy through an appointed Energy Survey Committee; this committee was meant to handle rural renewable energy resources. Through this committee, the country was also focused towards the reduction of the burden caused by importation of fossil fuel energy sources, through renewable energy technologies (RET’s).
Renewable Energy Technology Programs were highly supported; this was accompanied by the establishment of the Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources in the year 1982. The main responsibility played by DNES at this time was to decentralize and provide directions to stakeholders in regard to the use of Renewable Energy Technologies. Despite the fact that the early biomass policies enhanced the use of renewable energy technologies in the rural areas, a realization was made indicating that this strategy was a limiting factor to success. Biomass energy markets, especially in the rural areas were non-consistent, owing to the fact that this strategy was given a traditional approach, hence no promotion in the market were concerning efficient use.
In the early 1990’s major reforms were made by the government of India; these reforms basically involved a shift towards formulation of market pull policies. The policies were characterized by enhanced private sector engagement; placing higher emphasis on application of MBI’s or Market-based instruments; and reorientation from technologies to facilitate a pull in the markets. The introduction of market incentives and massive support to these policies from various institutions has led to development and increased application of modern biomass technologies.

PRINCIPLES OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN REGARD TO PAPAL ENCYCLICA CARITAS IN VERITATE

Papal encyclical Caritas Veritate provides a variety of principles guiding the use of environmental resources. These principles are based on the fact that nature is a gift, given to man from God; as such, it is an expression of truth and love. That is, nature is perfect in all aspects even in scenarios where imbalances are experienced. Taking this perspective into consideration; papal Caritas Veritate sets the following principles to guide the use of environmental resources:
Use of Environmental Resources to Satisfy Human Legitimate Needs: This principle is based on the book of Genesis 2:15; it asserts that nature has an inbuilt order, which allows man to draw resources as he maintains or conserves it.
Respect of Intrinsic Balance of Creation: This principle indicates that man should use resources from nature, while respecting its intrinsic balance; as this is God’s desire.
Integrated Approach to management of environmental Resources: Caritas veritate acknowledges the fact that humans and inter-connected. It also acknowledges the fact that there is an inter-connection between human activities i.e. development and the environment. In this aspect, humans should treat the environment as if they are treating a fellow human-being; this perspective should guide other aspects of development including technology.

HOW THESE PRINCIPLES APPLY TO INDIA’s POLICIES TO EXTRACT ENERGY FROM BIOMASS

Additionally, it appears that Indian government and other stakeholders such as the Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources that was established in 1982, have applied Caritas Veritate principle that guides the use of natural resources in a sustainable manner; that is, the principle that indicates that man should draw resources from the environment, while keeping it. The use of renewable energy, biomass being one of the sources of renewable energy, is considered an aspect of sustainable use of environmental resources.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Yes. I would recommend these policies to my country of Study. To begin with, I would recommend the participation of the government as a key stakeholder in creating departments and institutions charged with the responsibility of identifying energy needs and formulating appropriate solutions as in the case of India where: The Central government has created various i.e. the Department of Non-Conventional Energy SOURCES (DNES) charged with handling diverse biomass and other renewable energy issues.
I would also recommend this policy, placing emphasis on the role of government to create certain regulatory structures i.e. Market-Based Instruments to guide the use of biomass energy sources in the case of India. The application of market-based instruments is one of the major changes that were made in the Indian Energy policies in the early 1990’s and has seen success in regard to energy development and use.
One of the major changes that have been made in the context of Indian renewable energy policies is introduction of private stakeholders to facilitate development of renewable energy technologies. This is an aspect of integral approach; I would also recommend it to my country of study. It ensures that diverse perspectives and ideas from various stakeholders concerning development of renewable energy resources is applied; hence effective and efficient renewable energy technologies development.
Through the Department of Non-Conventional Renewable Energy Sources, the Indian government has decentralized activities that focus on development of renewable energy technologies to various stakeholders. This is imperative as it creates an equal platform for different development stakeholders to participate in development of renewable energy technologies; hence creating a sense of participatory and enhanced development approaches. It is also one of the recommendations of I would make to my country of study.
Another recommendation that I would make to my country of study is the introduction of large-scale production of Generation of Electricity as evident in the case of India. This is an aspect of diversification of energy production to meet the current and future dynamics experienced in the energy markets. In this aspect, large scale generation of electricity would not only focus on biomass production technologies, but also other renewable energy programs such as wind, hydro-electricity et cetera.

Bibliography

Breen, John M. "Love, Truth, and the Economy: A Reflection on Benedict XVI's Caritas in Veritate." Harv. JL & Pub. Pol'y 33 (2010): 987.
Shukla, P.R. "Biomass Energy In India: Transition from Traditional to Modern." The Social Engineer 6, no. 2 (2012): 1-20.