Bhubaneswar: Extensive industrialisation is the main reason behind the sharp rise in Odisha’s carbon footprint, former Chief Secretary Bijay Patnaik said today during a session on climate governance at the Earth Again Conference 2026 organised by Sambad at Utkal University in Bhubaneswar.

Speaking during the session titled ‘Sensible Governance’, Patnaik stressed the need for greater use of non-conventional and renewable sources of energy to address the state’s growing environmental challenges.

He said Odisha could not stop industrialisation, but stronger implementation of existing environmental rules and regulations was necessary to reduce its adverse impact.

“Industrialisation cannot be stopped. We have many rules, but they have not been implemented effectively,” Patnaik said.

He pointed out that Odisha’s abundant coal resources and the power plants established in the state using coal were major contributors to its increasing carbon footprint. According to him, the state’s development model needs to give greater importance to renewable energy and sustainable practices.

Patnaik also highlighted the need for a stronger renewable energy policy in Odisha, saying the state should move towards greater dependence on non-conventional sources of energy.

“We are ahead in planning, but behind in implementation,” he said, underlining the gap between policy formulation and execution.

The climate governance session was attended by former Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra and former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Sushant Nanda as speakers. Senior journalist Sandeep Mishra moderated the discussion.