SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Why in news?
- Panama became first nation to evacuate
island community over climate impact.

More about News

- About 300 indigenous Guna families are

being relocated from the Gardi Sugdub
island to the mainland Panama due to
concerns over rising sea levels.
- Many of such small island developing
states (SIDS) are facing existential threats
due to rising oceans.

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) -

Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) Programme
- Recently, CDRI announced $8 Million funding through its IRIS Programme to support disaster
resilient infrastructure in SIDS.
 Announced at the UN 4th International Conference on SIDS, in Antigua and Barbuda
- IRIS programme has won the 2024 UN SIDS Partnership Award for its contributions to the
sustainable development of SIDS through innovative and impactful partnerships.
- About IRIS Programme:
 Members: CDRI with members Australia, the European Union, India, the United
Kingdom and SIDS representatives.
 Launched at COP26 during the World Leaders Summit.
- Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF) (2022): A US$50 Million Trust Fund to
support global action on Disaster Resilience of Infrastructure Systems.
 Established with the support of UNDP (UN Dvlpt Program) and UNDRR (UN Office for
Disaster Risk Reduction), with special focus on developing countries and SIDS.
 IRAF supports the IRIS Programme.
- CDRI was launched by the Indian PM during the United Nations Climate Action Summit in
2019.
 Secretariat: New Delhi, India
 Objective: To promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to respond to climate and
disaster risks, thereby ensuring sustainable development.

About SIDS

- SIDS are small island countries and territories that share similar sustainable dvlpt challenges
and similar social, eco and envrt vulnerabilities.
 Not all SIDS are islands.
Eg: Belize, Guyana and Suriname are also included because of their common
characteristics.
Ex of SIDS: Maldives, Seychelles, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Mauritius,
Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Guyana, Singapore etc.
- The three geographical regions in which SIDS are located are:
 1) the Caribbean,
2) the Pacific, and
3) the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS).

- Bridgetown Initiative (2022):

 To address the immediate needs of countries facing debt distress, proposes a SDG Stimulus
package to invest in SDGs, while stressing the need for reform of the international financial
architecture.

Global measures

AOSIS (The Alliance of Small Island - An intergovernmental organization for carrying out
States) advocacy for small island states and influencing
international environmental policy.
Global Conference on the - Addresses particular vulnerability of SIDS to climate
Sustainable Development of Small change, climate variability and sea-level rise featured
Island Developing States (1994) – prominently.
Barbados Programme of Action
UNDP Initiatives
1) Climate Promise Initiative - helping SIDS to prepare enhanced Nationally
2) Progressive Platform Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Initiative - empowers SIDS by building diplomatic, legal and
technical capacity for improved climate negotiations
Small Island Developing States - Aims to address the unique challenges faced by SIDS
Accelerated Modalities of Action and to support their development
(SAMOA) Pathway
2023 UN Resolution on Climate - Aims to secure a legal opinion from the international
Justice court of justice (ICJ) on the “Obligations of States in
respect of Climate Change”.
International Tribunal for the Law of - advisory opinion concerning the specific obligations
the Sea (ITLOS) of the Parties to the UNCLOS on climate change
mitigation.
 INDIAN HIMALAYAN REGION (IHR)

- As per SC, the new fundamental right to be free from climate change impact necessitates a
sustainable development model for the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).

More
- In MK Ranjitsinh vs. Union of India case (2024),
 Supreme Court recognized the right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change
under Art 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
- In Ashok Kumar Raghav vs Union of India case (2023),
 SC asked the central government and the petitioner to suggest a way forward so as to
enable the Court to pass directions on the carrying capacity of the Himalayan States and
towns for sustainable development.
 Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an ecosystem can sustain without
getting degraded.
- In State of Telangana vs Mohd. Abdul Qasim case,
 the Court had said that the need of the hour is to adopt an ecocentric view of the
environment (where nature is at the core).
 Aspirations for growth and development in the Indian Himalayan Region need to be
aligned with science and the rights of people and nature.
 GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND
Why in the News?

- NITI Ayog prepared a Draft Report on Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Study for Greenfield
International Airport – Great Nicobar.

More about the News

- It is a part of proposed “Holistic Development of

Great Nicobar Island (GNI) in Andaman and
Nicobar Islands” project.

About GNI
- Southernmost tip of Nicobar islands
- The Indira Point, earlier known as Pygmalion
Point, lies at the tip of the GNI and is the
southernmost point of the country.
- Headquarter: Campbell Bay
- Ecological Characteristics
 Tropical wet evergreen forests
 Fauna - Crab-eating Macaque, Nicobar Tree
Shrew, Dugong, Nicobar Megapode, Serpent
Eagle, salt water crocodile, marine turtles
etc.
 Flora – Tree fern, Orchid, Gymnosperms, Bryophytes and Lichens.
 Ecological Landscape
1) Great Nicobar BR
2) Campbell Bay NP and
3) Galathea NP
 GNI was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves as part of the Man and
Biosphere Programme of UNESCO in 2013.
- Imp Tribes
 Mongoloid (Shompen, Nicobarese)

About the “Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island (GNI) in Andaman and Nicobar(A&N)
Islands” Project
International Container - Location: At Galathea Bay on the International Trade Route, in
Transshipment Terminal proximity with existing transhipment terminals like Singapore,
(ICTT) Klang and Colombo.
- Natural depth of 20m.
- Proposed Handling Capacity: 14.2 million Twenty-foot
Equivalent Unit (TEU).
Green Field International - Location: Shastri Nagar and Gandhi Nagar villages of Campbell
Airport Bay taluk of Nicobar district.
- Handling capacity: 4000 Passengers in Peak Hour
Township and Area - The broad category of land uses proposed in the concept master
Development plan are Residential, Commercial Mixed use, Institutional, eco-
tourism, coastal tourism, logistics etc.
Power Plant - It is crucial, since GNI gets most of its electricity from diesel
generators.
 - Aim is to provide good quality, reliable electrical energy without
interruptions.
- Broad Power Demand:450 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA)
- Additional 45 MVA from solar power will be included in total
power generation

Need for Project and Its Importance

Strategic - Indira Point is about 25-40 km from the major international sea route
Location which carries about 20-25% of global sea trade and 35% of world oil
supplies.
 This strategic location presents immense opportunities to further
strengthen India’s trading position in the world by developing an ICTT
(International Container Transshipment Terminal).
 Currently, nearly 75% of India’s transhipped cargo is handled at ports
outside India. Colombo, Singapore and Klang handle more than 85% of
this cargo.
Counter - As with respect to military expansion and port creation, foreign powers
foreign power have increased its activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
consolidation For instance, China’s String of Pearls to encircle India.
Improving - At present there is very limited connectivity of the GNI with the Indian
Connectivity mainland and other global cities. The prime modes of travel are shipping
and helicopter.
 Thus, need for setting up of a large Greenfield airport with a much
greater capacity than the existing one (INS Baaz Indian Naval Air
Station).
Promoting - To attract high-end tourists interested in tropical forests, adventure
sustainable tourism, beach tourism, water sports as scuba diving etc.
tourism  The Green Airport Project will put A&N on the global tourist
destinations map due to proximity with upcoming Senang City, the
Phuket Island and Langkawi Island etc.

Concerns related to the project

- Environmental concerns:
 Loss of top soil in the construction areas.
 Sewage waste generation at power plant site pollute the adjacent water bodies,
 Mangroves on the eastern flank will be affected due to port construction.
 Artificial illumination on the beach can affect the sea turtle nesting and hatchlings.
- Threat to fauna: ICTT which is expected to be developed at Galathea Bay, one of the world’s
largest nesting sites for the leatherback turtle.
 Both the leatherback turtle and the Nicobar megapode, species listed under Schedule I of
the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, face critical threats from this development.
- Social: In 2022, the Tribal Council of Great Nicobar and Little Nicobar withdrawn its No-
Objection certificate (NOC) for the project due to the administration’s lack of transparency and
the hasty consent process from tribal communities.
 A portion of the land identified as “uninhabited” in the NITI Aayog plan is ancestral
territory for the Great Nicobarese people.
- Health: The Shompen, who have had limited contact with the outside world, remain highly
vulnerable to infectious diseases.
  The proposed transshipment terminal overlaps with Shompen community areas, posing
risks to their health and survival.
- Natural Disaster Vulnerability: A&N are situated in a high-risk seismic zone, raising fears that
the development could lead to catastrophic environmental consequences.

Way forward

Mitigation Measures Suggested in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report:

- During the breading seasons of leather back turtles i.e. between November to February
construction activities on the offshore to be halted.
- Sodium vapor lights should be used for lightings, as sea turtles are less affected by it.
- Implement Integrated Solid waste management system has been planned in GNI development
- Strict measures will be adopted to ensure that none of the worker ever trespasses the
Shompen area.
- Implement Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation
and Resettlement Act, 2013 for displaced people.
 UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION (UCG)
Why in the News?
- Ministry of Coal has launched a pioneering Underground Coal Gasification pilot project in
Jharkhand’s Jamtara District.

More about News

- In alignment with Underground Coal Gasification policy, Coal India selected the Kasta coal
block of Jamtara District to implement UCG technology tailored to Indian geo-mining
conditions.

Underground coal gasification (UCG)

- UCG is an energy manufacturing process whereby coal is gasified or chemically converted into
a synthesis gas (syngas) in its original coal seam.
- UCG gas is similar to surface coal gasification gas, typically a mixture of
 methane (CH4),
 carbon dioxide (CO2),
 hydrogen (H2) and
 carbon monoxide (CO).
- UCG is the in-situ combustion of the coal seam to produce usable gas.
 The process is initiated by injecting steam and air/oxygen into the seam and igniting it,
requiring temperatures over 1000°C.
 The resulting products vary based on coal type, temperature, pressure, and whether air or
oxygen is used for combustion.

Products of UCG
- Electricity:
 The hot syngas from UCG can be used to make steam to drive a steam turbine that
generates electricity or it can be combusted to produce steam to drive an electric turbine.
- Chemical Feedstock:
 Syngas can be used as chemical feedstock (after its H2 to CO ratio is suitably balanced) to
produce methanol, hydrogen, ammonia and other chemical products.
- Production of Hydrogen:
 Coal is the obvious source for hydrogen which is potentially an important near zero carbon
energy carrier of the future.
 UCG as a hydrogen generator coupled with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) to generate
electrical power directly has been studied by Indian experts.

Benefits of UCG
- Access to unmineable coal:
 UCG opens up the prospect of accessing trillions of tonnes of otherwise unmineable coal.
- Reduced capital expenditure:
 In a UCG commercial development, several expensive process units and components that
are needed in a coal mining and surface gasification complex are eliminated, including coal
mining, transportation, storage etc.
- Energy Density:
 Compared to typical coal bed methane extraction, UCG needs less than 3% of the land area
needed for CBM to produce the same amount of gas energy.
Other benefits
- Reduce dependence on imports
- No environmental impacts traditionally associated with coal mining and handling
- UCG has unique potential in recovering heating value from high ash coal.

Government Initiatives for Coal Gasification

- National Coal Gasification Mission:
 Aims to achieve coal gasification and liquefaction of 100 MT of coal by 2030.

Concerns associated with UCG

- Induced Subsidence
- Contamination of Groundwater
- Lack of proven Technology
- Unsteady-state process
 OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY
Why in news?
- Cabinet recently approved Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for implementation of Offshore
Wind Energy Projects.

Features of the scheme

Nodal Ministry Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MoNRE)
Aim - Installation and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind energy projects
(500 MW each off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu)
 Upgradation of two ports to meet logistics requirements for offshore
wind energy projects.
Significance - Helps in realization of the aim of the National Offshore Wind Energy
Policy (2015).
- Reduce the cost of power from offshore wind projects by VGF and make
them viable for purchase by DISCOMs.
- Annual reduction of 2.98 million ton of CO2 equivalent emission for a
period of 25 years.

About Viability Gap Funding

- Viability Gap Funding (VGF) aims at supporting infrastructure projects that are economically
justified but fall marginally short of financial viability.
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in 2005 approved the Viability Gap Funding
(VGF) Scheme (Scheme for Financial Support to PPPs in Infrastructure) as a Central Sector
Scheme.
- The scheme is administered by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
- Support under this scheme is available only for infrastructure projects where private sector
sponsors are selected through a process of competitive bidding.

About Offshore Wind Energy

- Offshore wind power refers to the use of wind turbines to generate electricity in bodies of
water such as oceans or large lakes.
- Offshore wind energy projects of more than 57 GW are installed in 18 different countries, of
which leading countries are UK, China, Germany, Denmark and The Netherlands.
 Potential in India: India has a coastline of about 7600 km, surrounded by water on three
sides and has good prospects of harnessing offshore wind energy.
 India’s gross wind power potential of 695.50 GW at 120 meter and 1163.9 GW at 150
meter above ground level.

Comparison of Offshore and Onshore wind energy projects

Offshore Wind Energy Projects Onshore Wind Energy Projects
Wind farms built on shallow bodies of water, Wind turbines constructed on land.
usually in the ocean.
Pros: Pros:
- Generates more energy: Offshore turbines - Cost-effective: Lower infrastructure and
generate 1MW more energy than onshore maintenance costs.
turbines due to larger turbines. - Quicker and cheaper installation
- Efficiency: winds at sea are stronger and - Boosts local economy
blow in the same direction more often - Lower transmission losses
than winds on land. - Proven technology and reduced wear and
 - Less intrusive: Less envrtl. impacts as they tear (low erosion due to less moisture)
don’t affect how towns use their land or
create noise pollution.
- Land acquisition issue is absent.
Cons: Cons:
- Lack dependency and predictability. - Can cause discomfort to locals due to
- Transmission and distribution process is noise pollution.
tedious, time-taking and needs more - Reduced efficiency due to unpredictable
infrastructure. wind speeds and direction.
- High maintenance costs due to corrosive - Land availability and landscape
effect of moisture of sea. considerations limit onshore wind farms.

Way forward

- Wind Resource Assessment: Wind being an intermittent and site-specific resource of energy,
extensive WRA is essential for the selection of potential sites.
- Maritime Spatial Planning with expert opinion and demonstration projects can help ensuring
the viability of projects.
- Feed-in tariff (FiT): FiT is a price-driven policy for promoting RE expansion where the
government offers a guaranteed purchasing price for electricity produced from RE sources for
fixed periods of time.
 Discoms can adopt FiT regulations and make offshore wind power procurement
mandatory.

Government Initiatives

- “National Offshore Wind Energy Policy – 2015”

 The policy provides for offshore wind power development up to a seaward distance of 200
nautical miles from the baseline, i.e., up to the country’s EEZ.
o Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the Nodal Ministry, and the National
Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) is the Nodal Agency for the development of Offshore
Wind Energy in India.
- Long-term target for off-shore wind power capacity additions is 30 GW by 2030.
- Potential
Ocean Energy - 54 GW
Tidal Energy - 12.5 GW
- Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a technology for generating renewable energy that
uses the temperature differential between the deep cold and relatively warmer surface waters
of the ocean to generate baseload electricity.
 NEW RAMSAR SITES
- Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries, both located in Bihar’s Jamui district, are now recognized
under the Ramsar Convention taking total Ramsar sites in India to 82.
- Both sanctuaries are man-made reservoirs (Nagi dam and Nakti dam)
- Nagi lies in the Gangetic Plains of India.
- They are also recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife
International.
- Major birds’ habitat
 For Migratory birds:
o Bar-headed Goose,
o Greylag Goose,
o Northern Pintail,
o Red-crested Pochard,
o Steppe Eagle, etc.
 Resident birds:
o Indian Robin,
o Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark,
o Asian Koel,
o Asian Pied Starling,
o Bank Myna, etc.

Ramsar Convention
- An intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their
resources.
- Adopted at Ramsar (Irani) in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
- India became a party in 1982 (Maximum Ramsar sites are in Tamil Nadu followed by Uttar
Pradesh).
 BONN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE CONCLUDED
- During Conference, progress was made toward adaptation indicators and better functioning
international carbon market under Article 6 of the Paris Climate Deal.
- Art 6 of the Paris Climate Deal helps achieve countries’ emission-reduction goals with two
main market mechanisms:
 Bilateral deals between countries and
 A new global offset market
- New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance & negotiations on Mitigation Work
Programme (MWP) remained main issues with no progress.

New Collective Quantified Goal

- It was proposed in COP21 for setting post-2025 climate finance goal (new goal).
 In 2009 parties to UNFCCC decided to mobilise $100 billion annually by 2020 which was
subsequently extended to 2025. However, developed countries failed to deliver this target
fully.
 NCQG proposed to raise floor on climate finance above current $100 billion annual target
while addressing key shortcomings in current climate financing mechanism.

Mitigation Work Programme

- It was established at COP26 to urgently enhance mitigation ambition and implementation to
achieve 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. Program in 2024 will focus on “Cities: buildings and
urban systems”, including by
 Reducing operational emissions (heating, cooling);
 Designing building envelope for efficiency (retrofitting);
 Reducing embodied emissions (building materials).
 67th GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF) COUNCIL MEETING
- 67th GEF Council approved $736.4 million funding.
- Funding has been mobilized for Projects from the GEF Trust Fund, Least Developed Countries
Fund (LDCF), and Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), which together are part of the
GEF family of funds.
- Includes Projects like Great Green Wall (GGW), Sustainable Cities Integrated Program (SCIP)
etc.
 GGW focused on restoring landscapes and ecosystems across the Sahel region of Africa.
 SCIP is a 20-country program aims to catalyze urban system transformation.
- Also includes 2 Indian Projects
 Enhancing the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity to meet commitment to
the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets.
 CoHABITAT – Conservation and sustainable mgt of wetlands forest and grassland to secure
the population of migratory species along the Central Asian Flyway in India.
o These projects are implemented by the UNDP along with Indian Ministry of
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change acting as the executive agency.
 30th ANNIVERSARY OF UNCCD
30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
- Three Global Agreements known as The Rio Conventions (1992)
1) United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
2) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and
3) The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

About UNCCD
- Established in 1994, UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking
environment and development to sustainable land management
- Members: 196 countries and the European Union.
- Objectives
 To protect and restore land and ensure a safer, just, and more sustainable future.
 It’s committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in
combating desertification.
- Report: Global Land Outlook.
Issue of Land Degradation and Desertification
- Land degradation is the deterioration or loss of the productive capacity of the soils for
present and future.
- Land degradation affects up to 40% of the world’s land area, resulting in the loss of 100
million hectares of healthy land each year.
- In India, 32% of its land is under degradation and 25% undergoing desertification.
 MONTREAL PROTOCOL
- According to a study, Montreal Protocol has been effective in reducing emissions of Ozone-
Depleting Substances (ODS).

Key highlights of study

- Impact of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) on Earth’s energy balance & globally averaged
chlorine content of ODS in troposphere has decreased since 2021, five years earlier (2026) than
expected.
- HCFC-22
 HCFCs are compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, chlorine and fluorine.
 HCFC-22, the most abundant HCFC, has declined significantly. Its Global Warming Potential
(GWP) is thousands of times more than carbon dioxide (CO2).
 HCFC-22 is used as refrigerant in air conditioners, cold storage, retail food refrigeration, etc.
- Minor decline was observed in HCFC-141b, second most abundant HCFC after HCFC-22.
- HCFC-141b
 HCFC-141b is used as a blowing agent in production of rigid polyurethane foams.
 India has achieved complete phase-out of HCFC-141b under ODS (Regulation and Control)
Amendment Rules, 2014.
o This is in line with India’s commitment under Montreal Protocol for Substances that
Deplete Ozone Layer.

Montreal Protocol
- Signed in 1987, it is a global treaty to eliminate production and use of ODS.
- Implemented under Vienna Convention (adopted in 1985).
- Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol was adopted in 2016 (and entered into force in 2019)
to phase-down production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
 HFCs are non-ODS alternative to CFCs and HCFCs.
 HFC’s global-warming potential (GWP) is thousands of times more than CO 2.
Ozone and Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)
- ODS are human-made chemicals containing chlorine and bromine (like Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs), HCFC).
- They can reach stratosphere where they undergo catalytic reactions, further leading to
destruction of ozone.
- Stratospheric ozone (good Ozone) is found at 10-40 KM above Earth’s surface, and protects
Earth from UV radiation of Sun.
- Ozone formed in Troposphere is harmful and is called ‘Bad Ozone’.
 ANTARCTIC TREATY
- 46 Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and 26 th Committee on Environmental
th

Protection (CEP) concluded

- These were hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth
Sciences, Government of India.
- The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica.
- Measures, Decisions and Resolutions, adopted at the ATCM, give effect to the principles of the
Antarctic Treaty.

About Antarctic Treaty

Genesis Signed in Washington, in 1959 by 12 countries & entered into force in 1961
Members India has been a Consultative Party since 1983.
Applicability The area south of 60° South latitude
Key Provisions - Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only.
- Facilitate international scientific cooperation in Antarctica.
- Prohibits nuclear explosions, radioactive waste disposal, and military
deployments in Antarctica.

India’s initiatives for Antarctica

- India’s first Antarctic research station was Dakshin Gangotri (983).
- India currently operates two research stations-
1) Maitri (1989) and
2) Bharati (2012).
 In ATCM- 46 India announced a plan to set up an Antarctic research station, Maitri-II.
- In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.
 COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE (CI) INITIATIVES
Recently, ‘Untapped Collective Intelligence for Climate Action report’ was released by the UNDP.
- The report explores the potential of Collective Intelligence (CI) initiatives in climate adaptation
and mitigation.

About CI
- It is enhanced capacity created when people work together, often with the help of technology,
to mobilize a wider range of information, ideas, and insights.
 Eg- Using Artificial Intelligence, crowdsourcing, and remote sensing to tackle climate
change, poverty etc.
 CI emerges when these contributions are combined to become more than the sum of their
parts- Synergy.

Potential of CI in Climate Action:

- It can bridge:
Data Gap - Mobilising citizens to generate real-time localized data, and bringing
together data sets to uncover new insight.
Doing Gap - Getting more people involved in taking climate action, and helping
people monitor the follow through of institutions.
Diversity Gap - Bringing a wider range of people, including Indigenous communities
and perspectives into climate processes and data collection.
- It can decrease:
Distance Gap - CI initiatives foster a two-way exchange between scientists and
local communities, enhancing scientific understanding and
public knowledge, as well as creating mutual trust.
Decision making Gap - Closing gaps between opposing views and interests (like
(Climate vs. growth) to speed up required climate action.
 UNESCO RELEASES STATE OF THE OCEAN REPORT (2024)
- The report, structured around the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
(2021-2023), offers insights into ocean-related scientific activities describing the current and
future state of the ocean.
Key findings
Warming - Ocean is now warming at twice the rate It was twenty years ago.
 Ocean temperatures have increased by an average of 1.45°C, with
hotspots above 2°C in the Mediterranean, Tropical Atlantic Ocean
and Southern Oceans.
Rising Seal level - Mostly due to accelerated ice mass loss from the Greenland and West
rise Antarctica ice sheets, and to a lesser degree from accelerated ocean
warming.
Acidification - Ocean absorbs around 25% of annual anthropogenic CO2. This process
reduces seawater pH (ocean acidification).
 ocean acidification would increase by more than 100% by the end
of the century.
Deoxygenation - Ocean oxygen content is decreasing, resulting in worsening hypoxia.
 However, it is unclear whether deoxygenation is accelerating in
response to ocean heat content increase.
Coastal blue - Mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes provide refuge against a
carbon ecosystems warmer, more acidic ocean, and are an important store of carbon.
 However, their protection is not guaranteed and 20–35% have
been lost since 1970.
 CARBON PRICING
State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2024 Report is released by the World Bank report.

Key finding of the report

- Carbon Pricing (CP) revenues in 2023 exceeded USD 100 billion for the first time.
- There are 75 global CP instruments in operation, covering around 24% of global greenhouse
gas emissions.
 Brazil, India, and Türkiye have made notable progress towards CP implementation.
- China and India are largest host countries in terms of issuances of Carbon Credits.

What is Carbon Pricing?

Carbon pricing (CP) is an instrument that attaches a cost to greenhouse gas emissions,
typically through CO2 pricing mechanisms.

Main types of CP
- An emissions trading system (ETS):
 It is a system where emitters can trade emission units to meet their emission targets.
 Types of ETSs are: Cap-and-trade systems and Baseline-and-credit systems
- Carbon tax:
 It directly sets a price per unit of greenhouse gas emission or carbon content

Benefits of CP
- Place the burden on polluters.
- Spur investment and innovation in clean tech.
- Facilitate Paris Agreement emissions pathways for below 2°C/1.5°C warming.

WATER CREDIT
- Packaged water maker Bisleri proposes water credits akin to carbon credits.
- Bisleri has partnered with TERI School of Advanced Studies to conduct a study and will share
its findings with central government to develop a framework for water credits for beverages
industry.

Water Credit
- Similar to carbon credits, which incentivises water conservation and quality improvement.
 Carbon credits are generated by projects that have reduced or avoided or removed carbon
emissions.
 Each credit represents one less tonne of carbon dioxide, or another greenhouse gas
equivalent, (CO2e) in atmosphere.
- Individuals and entities can earn tradable water credits by adopting water-saving measures.
 These credits can then be sold to improve their water management practices.

Significance of Water Credits

- Addressing water stress achieving SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
- Promote water-saving measures and help enhance water use efficiency in agriculture, which is
the largest extractor of groundwater.
 NASA’S MISSION PREFIRE
- To measure heat lost from Earth’s poles
- NASA has launched one of the two climate satellites under PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in
the Far InfraRed Experiment) mission.
- The PREFIRE Mission consists of two shoebox-size cube satellites, or CubeSats.
- The mission will measure how much heat the Arctic and Antarctica radiate into space and how
this influences the planet’s climate.
- To analyse the heat budget of the planet.

Heat Budget of the Earth

- It is the balance between the amount of heat incoming to Earth from the Sun and the amount
of heat outgoing from Earth into space.
- Factors responsible for the disturbance of heat budget are
 GHG
 Reduction of O3
 Melting of glaciers

- Lower Albedo – Less solar energy to be reflected

 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2024
- UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) released Sustainable Development
Report 2024
- Published since 2016, report reviews progress made each year on Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) by 193 UN Member States.
- Established in 2012, SDSN works under the UN Secretary-General.

Key Highlights of Report

- On average, only 16% of the SDG targets are on track to be met globally by 2030.
 Off track SDG’s are
o SDG2 (Zero Hunger),
o SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities),
o SDG 14 (Life Below Water),
o SDG 15 (Life on Land) and
o SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
 SDG progress
o Finland is ranked 1st, followed by Sweden and Denmark.
o India is ranked 109th out of 166 countries, with on track performance in Poverty
reduction & Quality Education targets while decreasing progress in Sustainable Cities
and Climate Action targets.
 New Index of Support to UN-based Multilateralism (UN-Mi): It ranks countries based on
their engagement with the UN System.
o Barbados ranks highest, India at 139th place while USA ranks last.

Recommendations by UNSDSN
- Establish UN Parliamentary Assembly and reform UN Security Council through adding India as
permanent member and adoption of procedures to override a veto.

NOTE: The SDG Report 2024 also details the significant challenges the world is facing in making
substantial strides towards achieving the SDGs. SDG Report - 2024 has been released by the United
Nations Statistics Division (UNSD).
 UNESCO’S GREENING EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP
- UNESCO launched two new tools –
1) new Greening Curriculum Guidance (GCG) and
2) new Green School Quality Standards (GSQS) –
under Greening Education Partnership.
- New Greening Curriculum Guidance:
 what climate education should consist of and
 how countries can mainstream environmental topics across curricula,
 with detailed expected learning outcomes.
- New Green School Quality Standards:
 how to create a green school by promoting an action-oriented approach.

About Greening Education Partnership:

- Supports countries to tackle the climate crisis by harnessing the critical role of education.

Pillars of Green Education:

- Greening Schools:
 Schools to achieve green school accreditation and address climate change.
- Greening Curriculum:
 Integrate climate education into school curricula, technical and vocational education and
training, workplace skills development etc.
- Greening Teacher Training and Education Systems’ Capacities:
 Integration of climate education in building capacity of school leaders.
- Greening Communities:
 Strengthen community resilience through community learning centres and learning cities.

Education and Climate Change

- A higher level of education tends to be associated with a higher probability to engage in
adaptation action.
- Increasing girls’ education can mitigate climate change indirectly through its impact on
demographic growth.
 EU’S NATURE RESTORATION PLAN (NRP)
European Union approves NRP, first of its kind.
- It is a continent-wide comprehensive law that forms part of the EU’s European Green Deal
(aims for net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050).

Aim
- Contains binding restoration targets for long term recovery of nature in EU’s land and sea
areas.
- Seeks to recover at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and ultimately all
ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
- Focus areas:
 Covers the existing legislation (for wetlands, forests, grasslands, etc.), pollinating insects,
forest ecosystem, etc.
- Implementation:
 Through National Restoration Plans of the EU countries.
 GLOBAL SOIL PARTNERSHIP (GSP)
- To improve and maintain health of at least 50% of world’s soils by 2030 at 25 th Plenary session
(hosted by FAO).

About Global Soil Partnership

- It was established in 2012 by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as a mechanism to
develop a strong interactive partnership and enhanced collaboration and synergy of efforts
between all stakeholders.
- It aims to position soils on Global Agenda, promote inclusive policies and soil governance as
well as sustainable soil management.
 50TH YEAR OF CROCODILE CONSERVATION PROJECT
- India launched its Crocodile Conservation Project in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park in
1975 with the assistance of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN’s
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Crocodiles
- Crocodiles are largest surviving species of the vertebrate class Reptilia.
- Habitat:
 Except for one saltwater species, crocodiles live mainly in freshwater swamps, lakes and
rivers.
- Behaviour:
 Nocturnal animals and are poikilothermic (regulate their body temperature only to limited
degree).
- There are three main species of crocodiles in India
- Major threats:
 Habitat destruction, egg predation, illegal poaching, dam construction, sand mining etc.

Species Description Natural Habitat IUCN CITES WPA, 1972

Estuarine - Largest living reptile - Found only in three LC App I Sch I
or on earth. locations:
saltwater 1) Bhitarkanika,
crocodile 2) Sundarbans and
3) A&N Islands
Mugger or - Broad snouts, dig - It is presenting 15 of VU App I Sch I
marsh burrows or holes for India’s states including
crocodile nesting purposes. much of the Ganga
River drainage.
Gharial - Named Gharial due - Freshwater rivers: CR App I Sch I
to a bulbous knob at  Chambal,
the end of their long  Girwa,
narrow snout.  Ghagra,
- Primarily eats fish.  Son and Gandak.

Bhitarkanika National Park

- Located in Odisha, it is India’s second largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sundarbans.
- It is a Ramsar site.
- It is essentially a network of creeks and canals which are inundated with waters from rivers
 Brahmani,
 Baitarani,
 Dhamra and
 Patasala.
- Home to largest congregation of Saltwater Crocodile along with water monitor lizard, pythons,
hyenas etc.
 MICROALGAE
- CSIR-IICT scientists highlighted microalgae potential as a protein supplement.

About Microalgae
- Diverse group of single-cell photosynthetic organisms, both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

- These are groups of autotrophic microorganisms that live in marine, freshwater, and soil
ecosystems.
(an autotrophic means an organism that makes its own food)
- Significance:
 Nutrition: These are rich in nutrients and biologically active substances, such as proteins,
vitamins, etc.
 Carbon cycle: They absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through photosynthesis.
 Food Chain: Phytoplankton, which forms the base of the food chain, includes microalgae.
 IBERIAN LYNX (LYNX PARDINUS)
- According to IUCN, conservation status of Iberian lynx
has improved from Endangered to Vulnerable,
reflecting significant increase in its population.

About Iberian lynx

- Habitat:
 Medium-sized wild cat species native to Iberian
Peninsula in southwestern Europe, including
Portugal and Spain.
- Characteristics:
 Solitary hunter; nocturnal or crepuscular; may temporarily become diurnal during winter;
live in small, isolated metapopulations; European Rabbit accounts for 80-99% of its diet.
- Threats:
 Decreasing food base, Poaching, habitat loss etc.
- Conservation status: Appendix I of CITES.
 PENCH TIGER RESERVE
- Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for early detection of forest fires has been launched
at Pench Tiger Reserve.

About Pench Tiger Reserve

- Location:
 Spread across states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh in lower southern reaches of
Satpura hills.
- Pench River divides it into two halves.
- It also finds mention in Ain-i-Akbari and it is the original setting of Rudyard Kipling’s most
famous work, The Jungle Book.
 BHUVAN PANCHAYAT AND NDEM 5.0

- Union Minister of State for S&T to launch two Geoportals –

1) Bhuvan Panchayat 4.0 and
2) National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM 5.0).
- National level geospatial databases for these two portals are created by ISRO.

About Bhuvan Panchayat 4.0

- It is an online geospatial data and services dissemination platform.
- Objective:
 Integrate and use space-based information in governance and research initiatives for
spatial planning at Gram Panchayat level.

About NDEM 5.0

- It provides a comprehensive geospatial database for entire country for situational assessment
and effective decision-making during disasters/emergency situations.
 HEAT DOME

- Cities across southern and western states in the USA are facing heat waves due to a weather
phenomenon known as Heat Dome.

About Heat Dome

- It is a weather phenomenon where a ridge of high pressure gets stuck in the atmosphere.
- It traps hot air that expands vertically into the atmosphere and high pressure pushes it toward
the ground.
- Winds usually move from high pressure but with the dome stretching far into the atmosphere,
these weather systems become almost stationary.