Lucknow: A multi-pronged approach — spanning renewable energy, AI-driven urbanization, creative industries, climate resilience, and diaspora engagement — will be central to UP emerging as a model state for sustainable and inclusive growth by 2047.These pathways were highlighted at the ‘TOI Viksit Uttar Pradesh: Vision 2047 Conclave’ on Saturday during a panel discussion of Srijan Shakti – Pillars of Viksit UP.Inderjit Singh, secretary of UP New and Renewable Energy Development Agency, said UP is making rapid strides in renewable energy and sustainable development, directly impacting citizens through job creation, energy security, and economic growth.The state has already installed 2.3 lakh rooftop solar systems, producing around 750 MW of electricity. This expansion has generated thousands of jobs, with the workforce growing from just 40 in 2023 to 4,000 vendors today, each supporting 12 people for multiple roles.Singh outlined UP’s three major renewable energy policies — Solar Energy, Green Hydrogen, and Biomass Energy — aimed at energy security, industrial growth, and employment generation.”Unlike Rajasthan, UP has innovated with rooftop and captive solar solutions to overcome land constraints, especially in Bundelkhand,” Singh said.Bioenergy initiatives use agricultural residues from rice and sugarcane to produce bio-gas, bio-pellets, bio-coal, and bio-diesel. City-level Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production further reduces dependence on imported gas and strengthens local energy security.Green hydrogen plants in Gorakhpur and Rampur provide clean industrial fuel, supporting the state’s net-zero goals. Singh stressed that local manufacturing and technology development are key, citing a Rs 8,000 crore solar manufacturing project that ensures energy production and related jobs remain in UP. These efforts also prepare youth for future industries through skill development in STEM and green technologies.Amar Nath, CEO of AIRAWAT Research Foundation, highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in sustainable urban growth. UP plans to establish AI Centres of Excellence in agriculture, health, and cities, led by IIT Kanpur.AI will be central to managing UP’s projected 60% urbanization by 2047. IIT-Kanpur is developing rooftop power plants, garbage-to-energy systems, and energy-generation technologies through walking systems.IBM will soon open its second research lab in the city (Lucknow), focusing on GovTech and serving as a hub for innovation, startups, and government collaboration.On the creative economy, Roshan Abbas, Founder of Kommune, emphasized its untapped potential. Citing play productions like ‘Rajadiraj’, he said culture can drive economic growth. He urged investment in talent development to make UP a hub of cultural innovation.Filmmaker Rahul Mittra praised UP’s improved filmmaking facilities, security, and talent pool, predicting UP will become a global hub for filmmaking and allied industries by 2047. “I believe that in the coming years, UP will not just be a hub for shooting but will also develop value-added services such as post-production, sound, editing, and visual effects,” he added.Kirtiman Awasthi, senior advisor and project director, Climate Change GIZ India, stressed integrating climate resilience into development plans, advocating nature-based solutions like investing in forests, wetlands, and water bodies to protect communities and agriculture.”If we don’t factor climate impact and sustainability into our plans, we risk derailing our goals,” he added.Pankaj Jaiswal, chairman of UPDF, noted the govt’s strategic engagement with diaspora investors, inviting them first in 2018 and 2023 before reaching other investors. Highlighting UP’s fertile land, major rivers, skilled workforce, and talented minds, he said these resources are now being effectively leveraged to drive sustained development. “Earlier govts lacked visionary leadership to effectively connect these resources and drive sustained development,” he added.