1. "In our LiFEtime" Campaign launched by India at COP 27
Tags: Environment State News
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), jointly launched the “In Our LiFEtime” campaign at an event of the COP 27 in Egypt on 14th November 2022.
Important facts
The campaign aims to encourage youth between the age group of 18 to 23 years to become the messengers of sustainable lifestyles.
The concept of LiFE was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP 26 in Glasgow on 1 November 2021.
The campaign seeks to recognize young people around the world leading climate action initiatives that resonate with the concept of LiFE.
Under this campaign youth will be encouraged to submit their climate actions which contribute lifestyle for the environment within their capacity.
Youth are able to popularise new habits, adopt different technologies and are in a better position to contribute to the fight against climate change.
Young people need to make low-carbon career choices and adopt such lifestyles as a part of their daily lives.
2. Government announces Framework for issuance of Sovereign Green Bonds
Tags: Environment Economy/Finance
The Central government has issued a framework for its proposed Sovereign Green Bonds .Nirmala Sithraman in her budget speech had proposed the issuance of Sovereign Green Bond in the 2022-23 financial year. The government said later it proposes to issue Rs 16,000 crore worth of bonds in the second half of the current financial year.
What is a Sovereign Green Bond?
Sovereign means Government of India. Bond means that it is a debt instrument which is issued to raise capital or fund and it creates debt on the issuer. Here Green means that the fund raised from the sale of the bonds will be used for environment friendly projects.
Main features of the Sovereign Green Bond
Committee to select eligible project
The government will set up a ‘Green Finance Working Committee' headed by the Chief Economic Advisor Dr V. Anantha Nageswaran. The committee will select eligible projects for financing.
The committee will meet at least twice a year and will include members from relevant ministries, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, NITI Aayog, and the Budget Division of the finance ministry's Department of Economics and others.
Projects to be financed
The projects eligible to be financed or re-financed by the proceeds of Green Bond issuances fall under the following nine categories:
- renewable energy,
- energy efficiency,
- clean transportation,
- climate change adaptation,
- sustainable water and waste management,
- pollution prevention and control,
- green buildings,
- Sustainable management of living natural resources and land use, and terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity conservation.
Projects which are not eligible
- The funds raised through the green bonds, however, won’t be used to finance hydropower plants that are larger than 25 MW,
- nuclear projects and
- Any biomass-based power generation with biomass originating from protected areas.
Which type of government spending will qualify for the Green sovereign bonds?
Spending that will qualify for the green financing includes government expenditure in the form of investment, subsidies, grant-in-aids, or tax foregone or select operational spending and R&D expenditures in public-sector projects for reducing the carbon intensity of the economy. Investment in equity, by using the green bond proceeds, is allowed only in case of metro projects.
Expenditures directly related to fossil fuel won’t qualify for green financing. However investment or spending aimed at a relatively cleaner Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is allowed if it’s used in public transportation projects only.
The Framework has been rated Medium Green
According to the Finance Ministry the framework has been termed “medium green” by CICERO.
CICERO is a leading global independent reviewer of green bond investment architecture.
This is the best grade after “dark green”, assigned by CICERO for a green bond that aligns with a low-carbon climate resilient future.
Points to remember
First Green bond in the world was issued by the European Investment Bank in 2007.
The World Bank issued green bonds for the first time in 2008.
India’s first green bond was issued by Yes Bank in 2015.
3. U.S. climate envoy John Kerry launches carbon offset plan
Tags: Environment International News
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry on November 9 has unveiled a new carbon offset scheme called Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA) for climate finance.
About Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA)
Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA) will be developed by the US along with the Bezos Earth Fund and the Rockefeller Foundation and receive inputs from public and private sectors.
It would allow companies to finance clean energy projects in developing countries and earn carbon credits that they can use to meet their own climate goals.
This will allow companies to have a financial edge over their competitors in the race to meet climate goals.
Its objective is to put out of use coal plants and accelerate the use of renewable energy.
This can certainly be good for renewable energy projects and for coal plants that are too old and unviable and which India wants to shut down.
The ETA is projected to operate until 2030, potentially expanding to 2035.
4. Pakistan and Bangladesh will be among first to receive G7 'Global Shield' climate funding
Tags: Environment International News
Pakistan, Ghana, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Fiji, Philippines and Senegal will be among the first recipients of funding from a G7 'Global Shield' initiative to provide funding to countries suffering from climate disasters. It was announced by Germany on 14 November 2022 at the ongoing COP27 summit in Egypt.
Global Shield climate Finance
It was launched by the G 7 countries (United States of America, Canada, France, Italy, United Kingdom and Japan) at the COP27 summit in Egypt on 14 November 2022.
The Global Shield will be coordinated by Germany and is being developed in collaboration with the 'V20' group of 58 climate vulnerable economies.
Aim of the fund
- The fund will be used to help low-income and vulnerable countries to deal with climate induced calamities.
- It aims to strengthen social protection schemes and climate risk insurance so when an extreme weather event like flooding occurs, countries can access aid quickly and recover.
- Germany has announced that it will contribute USD 172 million to the fund. However the size of the fund has not been disclosed.
Demand for special Loss and Damage Fund
- Global warming induced climate change has badly affected the developing countries who don't have the resources to deal with such natural calamities like floods, drought etc.
- The developing countries have been demanding that the polluting countries (Developed countries) shall pay for the loss and damage suffered by the poor developing countries due to climate change.
- After years of resistance by the developed countries, they have agreed to discuss a special loss and damage fund in the COP 27 meeting being held in Sharm -el Sheik ,Egypt from 6-18 November 2022.
- The "Global Shield" initiative is being seen as one of step to address such funding.
5. Manipur to celebrate Amur Falcon festival on 14 November
Tags: Environment Festivals State News
The 7th edition of the Amur Falcon Festival will be held in the Tamenglong district of Manipur on 14 November 2022. The festival has been organised since 2015 to spread awareness about protection and conservation of world’s longest flying migratory bird Amur falcon. The day-long festival is generally celebrated in the first or second week of November.
Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis)
The Amur falcon is the world’s longest travelling small raptors of the falcon family. Raptor means which hunts other animals or birds as prey.
Amur Falcon breeds in the central Siberia region of Russia, eastern China. They migrate to the North Eastern states of Manipur, Nagaland, and part of Assam during October. They stay in India for about two months and in the month of November they cross the Arabian Sea to fly non-stop to South Africa and Kenya covering a distance of around 22,00 Km. The Amur Falcons are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Nagaland falcon capital of world
Around a million Amur Falcon raptor stop at the Pangti village of the Wokha district in Nagaland during October -November month. This is the single largest congregation of the Amur Falcon bird in the world. Hence Nagaland is also known Falcon capital of the world
6. COP27 presidency launches Sharm-el-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda
Tags: Environment International News
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt, the COP27 Presidency launched the Sharm-el-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda to enhance resilience for the four billion people living in the most climate-sensitive communities by 2030.
Important facts
The Sharm-el-Sheikh adaptation agenda represents a significant contribution to elevating global action on adaptation and resilience as a top priority.
Each outcome presents a global solution that can be adopted locally to respond to local climate contexts, needs and risks
This will help bring about the necessary changes in mechanisms to protect vulnerable communities from increasing climate hazards, such as extreme heat, drought, floods, or extreme weather.
Developing countries also demanded that the fund should be easily accessible.
It aims to reduce the devastating effects of climate change.
The presidency sought to raise $140 billion to $300 billion to advance these goals.
Developing countries, including India, are asking rich countries to agree to a new global climate finance target, also known as the New Collective Quantitative Target on Climate Finance.
These actions will be carried out in five impact systems – Food and Agriculture, Water and Nature, Coastal and Ocean, Human Settlements, and Infrastructure.
These actions will include enabling solutions to plan and finance these areas.
7. Anamalai Tiger Reserve initiated elephant adoption scheme
Tags: Environment National News
The 'Elephant Adoption Scheme' has been unveiled by Tamil Nadu-based Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in November 2022.
Important Facts:
ATR has started an elephant adoption program in which NGOs, institutions, trusts or individuals can sponsor the cost of elephants in the forest department's camp.
Lima Rose Martin, Director of Martin Group of Companies, Martin Trust and District Coordinator of Rotary Club of Coimbatore Aakriti's 'Go Green' program, adopted two elephants Abhinay and Sanjeev from Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp for one year.
Under the Elephant Adoption Scheme, any donor who is desirous of adopting elephants is said to be exempted under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961.
On 7 November 2022, Lima Rose Martin handed over a demand draft of Rs 1,86,720 to meet the expenses of 2 elephants for 3 months.
Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR):
ATR is one of the four tiger reserves of Tamil Nadu. It is a part of the Southern Western Ghats. It is part of the Anamalai Parambikulam Elephant Reserve declared in the year 2003.
It is surrounded by Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in the east and Eravikulam National Park and Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in the southwest.
The reserve is also surrounded by the Nenmara Vazhachal, Malayattur and Marayur reserve forests of Kerala.
The mountain ranges found in this sanctuary include Amaravati, Udumalpet, Pollachi, Uledi and Valparai etc.
The tribes found in this region include Kadar, Malasar, Malmalsar, Pulayar, Muduvar and Eravalan.
The main mammals found here include Asian Elephant, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Gaur, Nilgiri Tahr, Tiger, etc.
8. Improvement in the ground water conditions in 909 assessment units as compared to 2107:Jal Shakti ministry report
Tags: Environment National
According to the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report 2022, there has been an improvement in ground water condition in the 909 assessment units of the country as compared to the assessment done in 2017.
The Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report 2022 was released by the Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 9 November 2022 at New Delhi. The assessment was carried out jointly by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and with the State and Union Territories.
Such joint exercises between CGWB and the State and Union Territories government were carried out earlier in 1980, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2020.
India is the largest user of groundwater in the world. Ground water is a major source of drinking water and for irrigation in India.
Highlights of the 2022 report
- As per the 2022 assessment report, the total annual ground water recharge for the entire country is 437.60 billion cubic meters (BCM)
- The annual ground water extraction for the entire country is 239.16 BCM.
- Out of the total 7089 assessment units in the country, 1006 units have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’.( It means that the rate at which water is extracted exceeds the rate at which the aquifer is able to recharge))
- Analysis indicates improvement in ground water conditions in 909 assessment units in the country compared with 2017 assessment data
- Assessment indicates an overall increase in ground water recharge
Reason for increase in ground water increase
According to the report following were the reasons for increase in ground water recharge:
- increase in recharge from canal seepage,
- return flow of irrigation water and
- Recharges from water bodies/tanks & water conservation structures.
What is Groundwater?
Groundwater is freshwater (from rain or melting ice and snow) that soaks into the soil and is stored in the tiny spaces (pores) between rocks and particles of soil.
It is also called subsurface water to distinguish it from surface water, which is found in large bodies like the oceans or lakes or which flows overland in streams.
9. Uttar Pradesh government to make Vrindavan -Mathura pilgrimage center carbon neutral by 2041
Tags: Environment State News
The Uttar Pradesh government has made an ambitious plan to make the Vrindavan -Mathura tourist pilgrimage center carbon neutral by 2041. This will be the first tourist center in India to plan for a carbon neutral status.
The government expects the tourist arrival in the Mathura Vrindavan region to increase from the present 2.3 crore per year to around 6 crore in 2041. To deal with the expected increase in footfall and increase in carbon footprint, the government has made a plan to make the region carbon neutral by 2041,
Plan of the government
- The entire pilgrimage region will be divided into four clusters each containing two of the eight key cites.
- The plan proposes to form small circuits called ‘Parikrama Paths’ which the pilgrim can undertake either on foot or using electric vehicles.
- To reduce the carbon emission the government intends to ban the use of private tourist vehicles in the entire Braj region
- Only electric public transport will run in the identified region
- All the 252 water bodies and 24 forests in the area will be revived so that they can act as a carbon sink.
Mathura -Vrindavan region and its significance
- The city of Mathura and Vrindavan is associated with Lord Krishna’s birth and childhood.
- Both the cities are situated along the river Yamuna.
- Mathura is mentioned in Ramayana and was one of the capitals of the Kushan King Kanishka (130AD).
- Some of the famous temples of the region are: Govind Dev Temple, Rangaji Temple, Dwarikadhish Temple, Bankey Bihari Temple and the ISKCON Temple.
- Gokul, Barsana and Govardhan are the other townships associated with the legend of Lord Krishna.
What is Carbon Neutral and Net Zero?
Carbon neutral refers to the removal of the same amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by various means as the amount of carbon dioxide which is released in the atmosphere leaving a Zero balance or zero carbon.
Net Zero means the removal of the same amount of Greenhouse gasses (eg CO2, methane, CFC etc. ) from the atmosphere by various means as the amount of Greenhouse gasses which is released in the atmosphere leaving a Zero balance or net Zero.
Important to Know
India has set a target to become zero net emission country by 2070.
Palli panchayat in Samba district of Jammu is the first carbon neutral panchayat in India.
10. UN chief calls for a climate solidarity pact between developed and emerging economies
Tags: Environment International News
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a climate solidarity pact in which developed and emerging economies unite around a common strategy and mobilise resources to address the climate crisis.
Important facts
At the opening of the COP27 United Nations Climate Summit of the Parties in Egypt on 7 November, he said the proposed treaty would give all countries additional efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
He said the international financial system must be reformed to support low-income countries.
At the inaugural session of world leaders at COP27, he said all countries should make "extra effort" to cut emissions and end the construction of coal plants.
He said the two largest economies — the United States and China — have a particular responsibility to join efforts to make this pact a reality.
Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend COP27, although China has sent a delegation of negotiators.
Guterres also launched a plan for a global early warning system for extreme weather events, a project that would cost $3.1 billion over the first five years.
It will also deliver advance warnings about any extreme weather on the planet such as storms and heat waves.
COP27 is the 27th annual meeting of the United Nations on Climate. It is taking place in Sharm El Sheikh until 18 November.
