Environment

Context The outcomes of COP29 in Baku concerning the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance have drawn criticism for falling short of addressing principles of climate justice and equitable burden-sharing. Key Takeaways from COP29 Origin of NCQG: Conceptualized at COP21, the NCQG builds on the $100 billion annual …

Context The Rajya Sabha recently approved the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, aiming to enhance efficiency in oil and gas exploration across India. Rationale for the Bill Addressing Energy Needs: Aims to bridge the gap between domestic oil and gas production and consumption. Improving Business Environment: Modernizes outdated …

The fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting in Busan, South Korea, aimed at formulating a global treaty to combat plastic pollution, ended without a conclusive agreement. The lack of a binding treaty has sparked concerns over the effectiveness and inclusivity of the ongoing negotiations. Key Outcomes and Challenges Lack of …

The ongoing discussions within the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) focus on establishing a global treaty to address plastic pollution. The treaty aims to provide a comprehensive framework to reduce plastic waste, with particular attention to creating fair conditions for informal waste workers. What …

Context: The recent COP29 summit in Baku concluded with a lackluster agreement on climate finance, raising serious concerns about the trajectory of global climate negotiations. Challenges in Climate Negotiations Insufficient Financial Commitments Developed countries have pledged only $300 billion annually until 2035, which falls significantly short of the estimated $1 …

Purpose: Organized by the Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) in collaboration with the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), the GSC aimed to address critical challenges related to sustainable soil and resource management. Theme: Caring Soils Beyond Food Security: Climate Change Mitigation & Ecosystem Services. Key Focus Areas: Recognition …

Context (DTE): The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published the State of Global Water Resources Report, highlighting that 2023 marked the driest year for global rivers. Contributing Factors Increased Water Demand: The report pointed out that growing agricultural and industrial demand placed added pressure on river systems, worsening the already low …

India State of Forest Report (ISFR) The Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change presented the India State of Forest Report of 2021 in Lok Sabha, amidst contradictions with Global Forest Watch data. ISFR: An assessment of forest cover and tree cover (small patches outside forests) conducted …

Context: India’s Supreme Court, in its landmark judgment in M.K. Ranjitsinh and Ors. Vs. Union of India & Ors., has introduced a significant new dimension to the country’s climate change jurisprudence. SC Verdict The Supreme Court recognized the right to “be free from the adverse effects of climate change” as …

Context: India’s coal consumption has surpassed that of North America and Europe, highlighting the significant environmental impacts associated with its usage. Coal Mining: Habitat Destruction and Contamination: Coal mining devastates natural habitats and pollutes the environment, affecting humans, animals, and plants. It leaves permanent scars on the landscape. Mine Wastes: …

The ongoing severe heatwave across the country has reignited discussions about officially recognizing heatwaves as disasters under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. How India Manages Disasters Constitutional Context There is no mention of disasters in the Constitution of India. Legislative Framework Disaster Management Act (DMA) 2005: Enacted following the 1999 …

Background: The State of Global Air Report is a collaborative assessment by the US-based Health Effects Institute (HEI) and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project. For the first time, this report has been produced in partnership with UNICEF. Scope: The report’s findings are …

Scorching Temperatures Grip India. Northern, Central, and Northeastern India are experiencing unprecedented heatwaves, with temperatures shattering records. Delhi, the capital, witnessed a scorching 52.9°C, though the India Meteorological Department (IMD) suggests it might be an anomaly. Regardless, the situation is dire. Greenhouse Gas Emissions The primary culprit behind this scorching …

Introduction Rangelands, vast swathes of grasslands, shrublands, and savannahs, are crucial ecosystems supporting livestock grazing, biodiversity, and ecological balance. However, rangeland degradation is a growing concern globally, with significant implications for India. Rangeland Degradation: Causes Overgrazing: Excessive livestock numbers exceeding the carrying capacity of the land lead to depletion of …

GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology : Biodiversity: Coral reefs are hotspots of marine biodiversity. Coral bleaching disrupts these ecosystems, leading to species decline. Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures due to climate change are the primary cause of coral bleaching. Conservation: Understanding the threats to coral reefs and discussing …