Environment and Ecology — Climate Change (Part 1)
1. UNFCCC COP 29
Context: The annual global climate conference, COP29, concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan with the adoption of Baku Climate Unity Pact and several significant agreements.
Key Outcomes of COP29
- Global Carbon Market:
- Finalization of the rules for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
- Article 6 provides mechanisms for International Carbon Markets, allowing countries to trade carbon credits and finance climate action.
- Implementing Loss and Damage Support: COP29 advanced the Loss and Damage Fund to support climate-vulnerable countries.
- Global Energy Storage and Grid Pledge: Commits signatories to a collective goal of deploying 1,500 GW of energy storage globally by 2030.
- COP Hydrogen Declaration: Signatories pledge to boost renewable hydrogen production and decarbonize fossil-fuel-based hydrogen.
- Hydro4NetZero-LAC Initiative: Aims to develop and modernise sustainable hydropower infrastructure.
- Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative: Launched in collaboration with FAO to unite efforts to address climate change in agriculture through adaptation and mitigation.
- Global Energy Efficiency Alliance: Launched by the UAE at COP29 following the momentum built by the 'UAE Consensus' during COP28.
- Strengthening NDCs: Countries encouraged to enhance their NDCs with a 2025 deadline to update commitments.
- Baku Adaptation Road Map and Baku High-Level Dialogue on Adaptation: To enhance UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience implementation; advances adaptation action in line with Article 7 of the Paris Agreement.
- Climate Finance Breakthrough:
- Triple finance to developing countries from USD 100 billion annually to USD 300 billion annually by 2035.
- Scale up finance to USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035 from public and private sources.
Key Points:
- COP29 Host: Baku, Azerbaijan
- Key Outcome: Baku Climate Unity Pact
- Climate Finance: USD 300 billion/year by 2035 (tripled from USD 100 billion)
- Article 6: Global carbon market finalized
2. India's Climate Targets
India's Climate Targets: Existing and New
| Target (for 2030) | Existing: First NDC (2015) | New: Updated NDC (2022) | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emission intensity reduction | 33-35% from 2005 levels | 45% from 2005 levels | Reduced by 33% (2005-2019) |
| Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity | 40% | 50% | Achieved 43.18% (Oct-2023) |
| Carbon sink | 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes | Same as earlier | — |
Panchamrit Goals of India's Climate Action (COP26 Glasgow)
- Reach 500 GW Non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
- 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
- Reduction of total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now to 2030.
- Reduction of the carbon intensity of the economy by 45% by 2030, over 2005 levels.
- Achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070.
Key Point: India's Panchamrit Goals were announced at COP26 Glasgow — 500 GW non-fossil capacity, 50% renewable energy, 1 billion tonnes emission reduction, 45% carbon intensity reduction, and net zero by 2070.
3. India at COP 29
Context: India participated in various side-events during COP29 UN Climate Change Conference at Baku, Azerbaijan.
India's Key Initiatives
- Mitigation Work Programme (MWP): Advocates for MWP as a forum for open dialogue, emphasizing it must be non-punitive and non-prescriptive.
- Opposition to EU's Carbon Border Tax: The tax violates UN climate principles and unfairly impacts developing economies.
- New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG): Calls for grant-based, concessional climate finance as essential for implementing NDCs.
- Global Stocktake (GST): Rejects follow-ups beyond GST's original mandate to only inform climate action.
- Just Transition: Emphasizes global responsibility, with developed nations leading mitigation and supporting developing nations.
Important Side Events
- Integrating Disaster Resilient Infrastructure into Adaptation Strategies: Organized by CDRI and MoEFCC, India. Topics included infrastructure vulnerability assessment, embedding DRR in long-term goals, innovative financing, and stakeholder collaboration.
- CDRI Initiatives:
- Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS): Supports island nations in resilience building.
- Global Infrastructure Resilience Initiative (GIRI): A global effort to strengthen infrastructure resilience.
- LeadIT (Leadership Group for Industry Transition) Member Meet: Organized by Swedish and Indian governments. Focus areas: Hydrogen-based technologies, CO₂ capture, electrification, and biomass pathways.
- India-Sweden Industry Transition Partnership (ITP) – Road to Belem: Launched under LeadIT 2.0 at COP 28 in 2023; focuses on co-developing technologies for steel and cement industries.
- Energy Transitions for the Global South: Organized by India and International Solar Alliance (ISA); focused on the role of solar energy in the energy transition of developing countries.
About CDRI:
- Established by India in 2019 to advance disaster-resilient infrastructure.
- Worldwide alliance of nations, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, the commercial sector, and academic institutions.
- Announced $8 million in support for 12 projects in 18 Small Island Developing States under IRIS.
4. Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration
Context: The Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration was launched to set sectoral targets to mitigate methane emissions from organic waste.
- Launch: Announced at COP29 in partnership with the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
- Signatories: Over 30 countries, including seven of the top 10 methane emitters from organic waste — India has not signed.
- Goals: Incorporate targeted strategies to reduce methane emissions from the organic waste sector into future NDCs.
- Top Emitting Countries: USA is the largest emitter from oil and gas operations; Russia is second; China is the highest emitter in the coal sector.
Major Sources of Methane Emission
- Natural Sources: Wetlands (natural and human-made).
- Agricultural Activities: Paddy fields (anaerobic conditions), enteric fermentation from cattle and livestock.
- Combustion and Industrial Processes: Burning of fossil fuels, biomass burning, landfills, wastewater treatment plants, fertilizer factories.
Key Points — Global Methane Tracker 2024 (IEA):
- Methane Emissions (2023): Close to 120 million tonnes from fossil fuels.
- Major Events: Increased by over 50% in 2023 compared to 2022.
- Prominent Incident: A major well blowout in Kazakhstan lasted over 200 days.
5. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
Context: Developing countries cited the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) as a concern at COP29.
About CBAM
- Introduced By: European Union (EU) in 2023.
- Purpose: Prevent carbon leakage (industries moving to regions with weaker environmental standards); encourage cleaner production practices globally.
- Target Goods: Steel, cement, aluminum, and other energy-intensive goods.
- Legislative Framework: Part of the EU's "Fit for 55 in 2030 package" — aiming for a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).
- Mechanism: Importers must surrender CBAM certificates annually based on the declared carbon content of imported goods; prices reflect the carbon cost under the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Issues Regarding CBAM for Developing Nations
- Export Competitiveness: Disproportionately impacts exports from developing nations like India and China.
- Differentiated Responsibilities: Disregards the Paris Agreement's principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities".
- Economic Disadvantage: Developed nations, with cleaner technologies, benefit from CBAM, marginalizing developing nations further.
- Violation of Agreements: Seen as violating international agreements like the Paris Accord by imposing unfair trade restrictions on developing nations.
Key Point: Developing countries argue CBAM should be discussed within UNFCCC, while developed countries prefer the WTO platform.
6. Global Carbon Market
Context: COP29 cleared a much-delayed agreement to finalise a global carbon market.
- Definition: A global carbon market enables countries to trade carbon credits for certified emission reductions.
- Pricing Mechanism: Prices are influenced by emission caps imposed by nations.
- Objective: Trade carbon credits to aid in achieving climate targets.
Carbon Market Framework — Article 6 of Paris Agreement
- Article 6.2: Facilitates bilateral carbon trading between countries.
- Article 6.4: Establishes a global market supervised by a UN body.
- Integrity Standards: UN supervisory body drafts standards to ensure authentic carbon credits.
- Operational Timeline: UN-sanctioned carbon credits will be available by 2025.
About Carbon Credit: A permit representing the right to emit one metric ton of CO₂ or equivalent greenhouse gases. Generated through renewable energy projects, reforestation, or energy efficiency initiatives.
7. Global Energy Efficiency Alliance
Context: Launched by the UAE at COP29 in Azerbaijan.
- Objective: To double annual global energy efficiency improvement rates by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions.
- Key Actions: Promote knowledge sharing, build capacity, and standardise policies that encourage investments in energy efficiency projects.
- Focus Country: African countries will be specially focused with plans to share financing models and technological solutions.
8. Climate and Clean Air Conference 2024
Context: The conference emphasised global cooperation to eliminate short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs).
- SLCPs (Super Pollutants): Greenhouse gases with a shorter atmospheric lifespan than CO₂ but significant warming impact — responsible for up to 45% of current global warming.
Key SLCPs
- Methane (CH₄): Lifetime ~12 years; GWP ~25 times higher than CO₂; Sources: agriculture, fossil fuel extraction, landfills.
- Black Carbon (BC): Lifetime: days to weeks; Sources: incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass; Impacts: absorbs sunlight, contributes to glacier melting.
- Tropospheric Ozone (O₃): Lifetime: hours to weeks; Sources: secondary pollutant from methane, VOCs, and NOx; Impacts: damages crops, human health.
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): Lifetime: few months to decades; Sources: refrigeration, air conditioning; High GWP.
About CCAC:
- Voluntary international initiative of 160+ governments, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs.
- Origin: Founded in 2012, convened within UNEP.
- India joined CCAC in 2019.
- Provides secretariat functions for the Global Methane Pledge (GMP).
9. IPCC Reports
Context: The IPCC released its 6th Synthesis Report, summarising its sixth assessment cycle. The IPCC is currently in its Seventh Assessment cycle (AR7).
- IPCC Assessment Reports: Comprehensive reports on climate change, its causes, potential impacts, and response options.
- The IPCC uses 'modelled pathways' drawn using Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) to estimate what it will take to limit the warming of the earth's surface.
- IPCC reports comprise three Working Group reports:
- Working Group I: Physical science
- Working Group II: Climate adaptation
- Working Group III: Mitigation action
About IPCC:
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change — the UN body in charge of examining climate change.
10. Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT) Initiative
Context: The FF-NPT initiative was discussed at COP29 in Baku.
- Launched: Conceptualised in 2016, officially launched in 2019.
- Objective: To make it legally binding on nations to end fossil fuel extraction and phase down existing production, and manage a just transition to renewable energy.
- Endorsed by: 14 nation-states including Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Niue, Antigua and Barbuda, Timor-Leste, Palau, Colombia, Samoa, Nauru, Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia.
- First Ministerial Meeting: May 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda.
India's Position:
- India has not been extensively engaged with FF-NPT.
- As a major fossil fuel consumer, India's emissions are projected to rise by 4.6% in 2024 (Global Carbon Project).
- Advocates believe India could benefit from the treaty, ensuring justice and equity in the global energy transition.
11. Knowledge Nugget — Terms in News
Nearshoring
- Relocating business processes or production to a nearby country, often within the same region.
Reshoring
- Bringing business operations back to the home country.
- Example: European companies relocating production from Asia to Europe to reduce supply chain risks and improve quality control.
BASIC Group
- Formation: 28th November, 2009 by Brazil, South Africa, India, and China.
- Objective: Present a unified front on climate change negotiations, emphasizing the need for developed countries to lead emissions reduction and provide financial support to developing countries.
- Economic and Population Influence: Represent one-third of the world's geographical area and nearly 40% of the global population.
- Core Principles: Guided by the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement; uphold the principle of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- COP29 (Baku): Baku Climate Unity Pact; USD 300 billion/year by 2035; Article 6 (carbon market) finalized
- India's Panchamrit (COP26): 500 GW non-fossil, 50% RE, 1 billion tonnes reduction, 45% carbon intensity reduction, net zero 2070
- India's NDCs (2022): 45% emission intensity reduction; 50% non-fossil capacity
- CBAM (EU 2023): Carbon tax on steel, cement, aluminum; concerns for developing nations
- Global Carbon Market: Article 6.2 (bilateral), 6.4 (global market); credits available by 2025
- SLCPs: Methane, Black Carbon, HFCs — responsible for 45% of current global warming
- CCAC (2012): India joined 2019; secretariat for Global Methane Pledge
- CDRI (2019): India-led; IRIS initiative for island states
- BASIC: Brazil, South Africa, India, China — formed 2009
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Climate Change — Part 1)
Q1. COP29 was held in which country?
Correct Answer: C. COP29 was held in Baku, Azerbaijan with the adoption of the Baku Climate Unity Pact.
Q2. What is the new climate finance target agreed at COP29 for developing countries by 2035?
Correct Answer: C. COP29 agreed to triple finance to developing countries from USD 100 billion to USD 300 billion annually by 2035.
Q3. Which article of the Paris Agreement provides mechanisms for international carbon markets?
Correct Answer: C. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides mechanisms for International Carbon Markets, allowing countries to trade carbon credits.
Q4. India's Panchamrit goal for non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 is:
Correct Answer: C. India's Panchamrit goal announced at COP26 Glasgow includes reaching 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
Q5. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was introduced by:
Correct Answer: B. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was introduced by the European Union in 2023 as part of the "Fit for 55 in 2030 package".
Q6. Short Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) are responsible for what percentage of current global warming?
Correct Answer: C. Short Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) are responsible for up to 45% of current global warming. They include methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons.
Q7. India joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) in which year?
Correct Answer: C. India joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) in 2019. The CCAC was founded in 2012 and is convened within UNEP.
Q8. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was established by India in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was established by India in 2019 to advance disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Q9. The BASIC Group consists of:
Correct Answer: B. The BASIC Group consists of Brazil, South Africa, India, and China. It was formed on 28th November 2009.
Q10. India's net zero emissions target is to be achieved by:
Correct Answer: C. India's Panchamrit goal includes achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070, announced at COP26 Glasgow.