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The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022

Why in News:

• The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was recently passed by the Rajya Sabha. 
• This bill intends to make changes to the Energy Conservation Act of 2001.
• Mandates non-fossil sources of energy
• Establishes a domestic carbon market in India
• The bill was also amended in 2010.

Key Provisions of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill:

• Mandates the use of non-fossil sources, including Green hydrogen, green ammonia, biomass, and Ethanol for energy and feedstock.
• Establishes Carbon Markets.
• Brings large residential buildings within the fold of the Energy Conservation regime.
• Enhances the scope of the Energy Conservation Building Code.
• Amends penalty provisions.
• Increases members in the governing council of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
• Empowers the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions to make regulations for the smooth discharge of its functions.
• Puts in place enabling provisions to make the use of clean energy, including green hydrogen, mandatory, and to establish carbon markets.

Overview of the Bill

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill focuses on reducing carbon emissions and promoting the use of clean technology. It aims to bring large residential buildings under the Energy Conservation regime and establish a carbon market.

Carbon Credits:

• The government will issue carbon credits to businesses or institutions interested in the scheme.
• Industries could sell and buy credits to meet their carbon budget.
• Carbon credits will not be sold to other countries, except in the case of surplus or the need to finance cutting-edge technology.

Energy Conservation Building Code:

• The amended bill aims to bring large residential buildings under the Energy Conservation regime.
• The Energy Conservation Building Code includes the norms and standards of energy consumption per square meter of the area where energy is used.

Carbon Market:

• The bill empowers the central government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme.
• The amendments aim to encourage the development of a carbon market by laying the framework for the issuance of carbon credits against the deployment of clean technology.
• Investment in clean technology will help corporations to green their business profiles and provide an additional revenue stream.
• The proposed amendments seek to involve the private sector in the climate change narrative.

Reducing Connected Loads of States:

• The bill aims to bring large residential buildings with a minimum connected load of 100 kW or contract demand of 120 kVA under the Energy Conservation regime.
• States can bring down the connected load and contract demand if they wish.

Carbon credits

(i) A carbon credit is a permission granted to a company to release a specific quantity of CO2 or other greenhouse gases.
(ii) One credit authorizes the release of a mass equivalent to one metric ton of carbon dioxide.
(iii) Carbon credits were developed as a market-based approach to reduce the release of greenhouse gases.
(iv) Companies receive a predetermined number of credits, which decreases with time.
(v) Any surplus credits can be traded or sold by companies to other companies.

Criticisms of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill

Ultra Vires of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001:

• The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 focuses on energy conservation, whereas the present Bill focuses on environmental conservation and reducing the impact of fossil fuels on climate change. The scope and objectives of the two acts do not align with each other. The present Bill relates to monitoring and controlling carbon emissions and climate change, which falls under the purview of environmental laws.

Lack of Coordinated Approach:

• The Central Government and the State Governments have been authorized to discharge different roles, leading to a lack of coordination between them. The absence of a coordinated approach between the Central Government and the State Governments could be problematic.

Inadequate Opinion in Bureau of Energy Efficiency:

• The Bill only proposes five representatives from the States, which means that the majority of the States would not be able to register their opinion in the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

Legal Infirmities:

• The Bill has been criticized for having several legal infirmities, which require re-consideration and re-introduction.

Way Forward

• India is working towards reducing its carbon intensity by 45% by 2030, which is part of its updated Nationally Determined Contributions.
• To achieve this target, India needs to align public financial flows with the announced goals on energy transition to attract private finance.
• This includes shifting subsidies from fossil fuels to clean energy.
• State-owned enterprises (SOEs) should be mandated to invest in clean energy.
• There should be an increase in targets for public finance for clean energy.

World Lion Day 2022

Why in News

• The annual observance of World Lion Day on August 10 aims to raise awareness and provide education to the public on lions and their conservation.

What is World Lion Day and its Significance?

About World Lion Day: 

• World Lion Day is an initiative started in 2013 aimed at spreading awareness of lions and their conservation.
• The first World Lion Day was celebrated in 2013.
• The objective is to make people aware of the significance of lions in their natural habitat and the need to strive toward their conservation.

Significance of World Lion Day: 

• World Lion Day offers an opportunity to understand the importance of lions in the ecological cycle and the alarming consequences of their extinction.
• Lions have been known to roam across continents such as Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East for three million years.
• Over the last five decades, their numbers have decreased by about 95%, making their conservation crucial for maintaining the ecological balance.

Key Points Related to Lion

Scientific Name: Panthera leo

Subspecies:

• African lion (Panthera leo leo)
• Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica)
• Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions
• Longitudinal fold of skin along the belly is a striking morphological character of Asiatic lions

Role in the Animal Kingdom:

• Apex predator responsible for regulating population of grazers
• Helps maintain ecological balance
• Targets weakest members of prey herd, indirectly helps in disease control in prey population

Threats:

• Poaching
• Genetic inbreeding due to single population inhabiting one place
• Diseases such as plague, canine distemper, or a natural disaster

Protection Status:

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• Asiatic Lion - Endangered
• CITES: Appendix I for populations of India, all other populations included in Appendix II
• Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I

Status in India:

• Home to the Asiatic Lion in Sasan-Gir National Park (Gujarat)
• Lion population in India increased from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020.

Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021

The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 has been recently passed by the Lok Sabha through a voice vote. The bill aims to enable the execution of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

What is the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021?

About:

• The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021 was introduced by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on December 17, 2021. It seeks to amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, in order to provide greater protection to wildlife and to implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Features

CITES:

• CITES is an international agreement between governments aimed at ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021 seeks to implement CITES provisions and requires countries to regulate the trade of all listed specimens through permits. It also regulates the possession of live animal specimens.

Authority:

• The Bill provides for the central government to designate a Management Authority, which grants export or import permits for trade of specimens. The Bill also requires every person engaging in trade of a scheduled specimen to report the details of the transaction to the Management Authority. The Bill prohibits any person from modifying or removing the identification mark of the specimen. In addition, a Scientific Authority will give advice on aspects related to impact on the survival of the specimens being traded.

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:

• Currently, the Act has six schedules for specially protected plants, specially protected animals, and vermin species. The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021 reduces the total number of schedules to four, with Schedule I providing the highest level of protection and Schedule II providing a lesser degree of protection. Schedule III covers plants, while the schedule for vermin species is removed. A new schedule for specimens listed in the Appendices under CITES (scheduled specimens) is also inserted.

Invasive Alien Species:

• The Bill empowers the central government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession, or proliferation of invasive alien species. It defines invasive alien species as plant or animal species that are not native to India and whose introduction may adversely impact wildlife or its habitat. The central government may authorize an officer to seize and dispose of the invasive species.

Control of Sanctuaries:

• The Chief Wildlife Warden is entrusted with the control, management, and maintenance of all sanctuaries in a state, and the Bill specifies that the Chief Warden's actions must be in accordance with the management plans for the sanctuary. These plans will be prepared as per guidelines of the central government and as approved by the Chief Warden. For sanctuaries falling under special areas, the management plan must be prepared after due consultation with the Gram Sabha concerned.

Conservation Reserve:

• The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021 allows state governments to declare areas adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries as a conservation reserve for protecting flora and fauna and their habitat. The central government is also empowered to notify a conservation reserve.

Penalties:

• The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 prescribes imprisonment terms and fines for violating the provisions of the Act, and the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021 does not make any changes to these penalties.
• The Bill increases these fines.
  

Electromagnetic Field Emission

In a written response to an inquiry made by the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Communications asserted that the elevated levels of electromagnetic fields in India do not have any impact on the environment.

Understanding Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Emissions

• Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are formed when invisible magnetic and electric fields of force combine. Electric fields are produced by differential voltages, while magnetic fields are generated by electric current flows.

Natural Sources of EMF:

• EMF emissions are ubiquitous in our environment, and natural sources are responsible for a significant portion of these emissions. Thunderstorms cause local build-up of electric charges, leading to the formation of electric fields.

Human-Made Sources of EMF:

• In addition to natural sources, human-made sources also contribute to the electromagnetic spectrum. These sources include:
  (i) X-rays, which are used to detect fractures after a sports injury.
  (ii) Electrical outlets, which produce low-frequency electromagnetic fields as electricity flows through them.
  (iii) Radio waves, which are used for transmitting information through TV antennas, mobile phone base stations, and radio stations.

EMF Emissions and Government Initiatives in India

Issues:

• Several international studies have linked EMF exposure to major health issues, including leukaemia, miscarriages, chronic fatigue, immune system deterioration, forgetfulness, melancholy, nausea, and libido loss. Pulsed microwave radiation emitted by radars used for navigation and weather forecasting is harmful to flora and animals around them.

Government Initiatives:

The Indian government has taken several steps to address concerns related to EMF emissions:

• The government claims that EMF emissions from mobile towers are non-ionizing radio frequencies with extremely low strength and are unable to have a negative impact on the environment.
• The World Health Organization's International EMF Project concluded in a 2005 information sheet that exposure limits in the Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines for the protection of human health are also protective of the environment.
• The current EMF emission standards for cell towers in India are ten times stricter than the safe limits outlined by the ICNIRP and advised by WHO.
• The government has established a well-structured process and mechanism for monitoring any violations by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), including the submission of a self-certificate prior to the commercial start of the Base Transceiver Station (BTS) site.
• Up to 10% of BTS sites are randomly selected each year by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) field units for an EMF audit.
• DoT fines TSPs whose BTSs violate the allowed EMF emission limits.
• Non-compliant BTSs whose emission levels are not reduced to the required levels after 30 days may be shut down in accordance with the established protocol.

State of Gender Equality and Climate Change in South Asia and the Hkh Region

Why in News:

• A report titled "State of Gender Equality and Climate Change in South Asia and the HKH Region" highlights the lack of action by governments in South Asia and HKH region to address the impact of climate change on women.
• The report covers 10 countries in the region, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
• India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to manage climate change recognize the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment but lack specific measures.
• The National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) 2008 acknowledges that women are more vulnerable to climate change but lacks noticeable gender and social inclusion measures.
• Some national plans, including Bhutan's Climate Change Policy 2020, Nepal's National Adaptation Plan 2021, and Pakistan's National Climate Change Policy 2021, are gender-responsive and consider gender-specific needs.
• Climate change is worsening social inequalities and widening the gender gap, with men migrating from China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan for better livelihood options and employment, leaving women, children, and the elderly behind to handle additional workload.
• The report recommends gender equality and social inclusion, monitoring and evaluating interventions in the agriculture, energy, and water sectors, and ensuring the meaningful participation of women and marginalized groups in policy dialogues.
• Governments need to regularly evaluate the policies implemented.

Women and the Effects of Climate Change:

• Both men and women are affected by environmental degradation and natural disasters differently, as they use environmental resources differently.
• Women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to the shortage of essential resources like drinking water, cooking fuel, and safe waste disposal that affects them directly.
• Measures need to be taken to minimize the negative effects of climate change on women by adopting an environment-centered growth model and integrating women's empowerment with sustainable development.
• Governments should design policies that enable women to own, control, and access various productive assets, such as land, livestock, forests, leases on common land, and water bodies.
• Special policies and programs should be implemented for women at all stages of disaster management.
• Environmental planning and impact assessments should take gender issues into account, and Gender Impact Assessment should be incorporated into Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

CSE’s India 2022: An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events report

Why in News:

• The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released a report recently.
• The report revealed that India experienced natural disasters almost daily in the first nine months of 2022.
• Between January 1 and September 30, 2022, India experienced extreme weather events on 241 out of 273 days.
• The report highlights that India is highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, with its vulnerable population and poor disaster management strategies being a cause for concern.

About Assesment:

• The assessment offers a detailed account of the status of extreme weather in India during a significant part of the year.
• The report presents an analysis of extreme weather incidents and their related loss and damage, classified by season, month, and region.
• The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has utilized data from two important Indian government sources - the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Disaster Management Division (DMD) of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Highlights of the Report

Overview:

• The report provides a comprehensive overview of extreme weather events in India in 2022.
• The events range from heat and cold waves to cyclones, lightning, heavy rains, floods, and landslides.
• India has witnessed almost a disaster every day in the nine months of this year.

Underestimated Loss and Damage:

• Disasters in 2022 have claimed 2,755 lives, affected 1.8 million hectares of crop area, destroyed over 416,667 houses, and killed close to 70,000 livestock.
• The actual loss and damage are probably underestimated, as data for each event including losses of public property or crop loss has not been collated or estimated.

State-wise Assessment:

• Madhya Pradesh has experienced the highest number of days with extreme weather events.
• Himachal Pradesh has the highest number of human fatalities (359 deaths).
• Assam reported the highest number of damaged houses and animal deaths.
• Karnataka accounted for more than 50 percent of the crop area affected in the country.

Region-wise Assessment:

• The central and north-western regions reported the highest number of days with extreme weather events.
• Central India topped the list in terms of human lives lost, followed by the east and northeast.

Extreme Weather Conditions:

• In 2022, India recorded its seventh wettest January since 1901.
• March was the warmest ever and the third driest in 121 years.
• Eastern and north-eastern India experienced its warmest and driest July in 121 years, along with the second-warmest August and fourth-warmest September.
• Lightning and storms were spread over 30 states and claimed 773 lives.

Recommendations for Managing Extreme Weather Events

• The report emphasizes the importance of managing extreme weather events.
• It suggests that the focus should shift from disaster management to risk reduction and building resilience.
• Improving flood management systems is essential to prevent loss of life and damage to property.
• Building drainage and water recharge systems can help manage floods and improve water availability.
• Investing in green spaces and forests can enhance the capacity of the natural environment to absorb water and minimize the impact of storms.
• Restoring natural water bodies such as wetlands can also help in reducing flood risks.
• Effective communication and early warning systems can help in minimizing the impact of extreme weather events.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)

(i) About the organization: CSE is a public-interest research and advocacy organization located in New Delhi.
(ii) CSE's mission: CSE aims to promote sustainable and equitable development through its research, advocacy, and communication efforts.
(iii) Creating awareness and proposing solutions: CSE's work is focused on raising awareness about environmental problems and proposing sustainable solutions to address them.
(iv) Pollution Monitoring Laboratory: CSE operates an independent analytical laboratory called the Pollution Monitoring Laboratory, which monitors toxic contamination of the environment. The laboratory uses its findings to advocate for better regulations regarding the use of toxins in the country.