Environment and Ecology: May 2024 UPSC Current Affairs | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

India Hosts 46th ATCM and 26th Meeting of CEP in 2024

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), is organizing ATCM 46 from May 20 to 30, 2024, in Kochi, Kerala. Additionally, Kochi will be the venue for the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26). This aligns with India's capability to promote constructive international dialogue on scientific collaboration, environmental stewardship, and cooperation in Antarctica.

What is the Antarctic Treaty?

• The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientists had been active in and around Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-58.
• The 12 original signatories were - Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the UK, and the US.
• It entered into force in 1961 and has since been acceded to by many other nations, taking the total number of Parties to the Treaty to 56 now.
• There are two types of parties to the Antarctic Treaty - Consultative (29) and non-Consultative (27).
• The latter are invited to attend the Consultative Meetings but do not participate in the decision-making.
• India has been a Consultative Party (those demonstrate their interest in Antarctica by conducting substantial research activity there) to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983.

What is ATCM and CEP under the Antarctic Treaty?

• Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM):
  • Convened annually, these meetings serve as forums for Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties and other stakeholders to address Antarctica's pressing environmental, scientific, and governance issues.
  • From 1961 to 1994 the ATCM generally met once every two years, but since 1994 the meetings have occurred annually.
  • The ATCM is hosted by the Consultative Parties according to the alphabetical order of their English names.
• Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP):
  • The CEP was established under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in 1991.
  • The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica.
• The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat (ATS):
  • Established in 2004, it serves as the administrative hub for the Antarctic Treaty System and coordinates the ATCM and CEP meetings.
  • It also monitors compliance with Antarctic Treaty provisions and agreements and provides assistance and guidance to Antarctic Treaty Parties on treaty implementation and enforcement matters.

Key Items on the ATCM 46 and CEP 26 Agenda

ATCM 46 agenda includes:

• Strategic planning for sustainable management of Antarctica and its resources;
• Policy, legal, and institutional operations;
• Biodiversity prospecting;
• Inspections and exchange of information and data;
• Research, collaboration, capacity building and cooperation;
• Addressing climate change impacts;
• Development of tourism framework; and promoting awareness.

CEP 26 agenda focus on:

• Antarctic environment evaluation, impact assessment, management, and reporting;
• Climate change response; Area protection and management plans including marine spatial protection; and
• Conservation of Antarctic biodiversity.

India’s Presence in the Antarctic

• India’s first Antarctic research station, Dakshin Gangotri, was established in 1983.
• At present, India operates two year-round research stations: Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012).
• The permanent research stations facilitate Indian Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica, which have been ongoing annually since 1981.
• In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.

Significance of Hosting ATCM 46 and Challenges for India

• Significance:
  • Through open dialogue, collaboration, and consensus-building,
  • India remains committed to upholding the principles of the Antarctic Treaty and
  • Contributing to the sustainable management of one of Earth's last pristine wilderness areas.
  • The hosting of the 46th ATCM and 26th CEP meeting reflects India's growing role as a responsible global stakeholder in efforts to preserve Antarctica for future generations.
• Challenges:
  • The 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting begins under the shadow of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, an issue that has been affecting the discussions for the past two years.
  • Russia's increase in surveys of the Antarctic region for oil and gas reserves has also caused some anxiety among the partner nations.
  • Canada and Belarus are seeking consultative status but their petitions have run into opposition.

Balanced Fertilisation

Why in News?

After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the incoming government is likely to prioritize balanced fertilization as a major policy objective.

• Despite efforts to reduce excessive fertiliser use, urea consumption in India has continued to rise, hitting a record 35.8 million tonnes in 2023-24, which is a 16.9% increase from 2013-14.

What is Balanced Fertilization?

About:

• Balanced fertilisation is a practice in agriculture that focuses on providing plants with the optimal amounts of the nutrients that are needed for their healthy growth and development.

Essential Nutrients:

• Primary Nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) are the most crucial nutrients needed in larger quantities. They play vital roles in plant structure, energy production, and overall health.
• Secondary Nutrients: Sulphur (S), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg) are also essential but required in smaller amounts compared to primary nutrients.
• Micronutrients: Trace elements like Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B), and Molybdenum (Mo) are needed in very small quantities but are still critical for specific plant functions.

Right Proportion:

• Balanced fertilisation emphasises supplying these essential nutrients in the correct ratios based on several factors:
• Soil Type: Different soil types have varying levels of inherent nutrients. Testing the soil reveals its nutrient profile, guiding fertiliser selection and application rates.
• Crop Requirements: Different crops have specific nutrient needs at different stages of growth. For example, legumes might require more nitrogen for nitrogen fixation, while fruits might benefit from additional potassium for better quality.

What are the Benefits Associated with Balanced Fertilisation?

• Improved Crop Yields: Providing the right mix of nutrients allows plants to reach their full growth potential, resulting in higher yields.
• Enhanced Crop Quality: Balanced nutrients help plants become stronger and more resistant to pests and diseases, which improves the quality of the harvest.
• Promotes Soil Health: Excessive use of single-nutrient fertilizers can harm soil health. Balanced fertilization supports a healthy soil ecosystem, ensuring long-term sustainability.
• Reduced Environmental Impact: Overuse of fertilizers can lead to nutrient runoff, contaminating water bodies. Balanced fertilization minimizes this risk.
• Cost-Effectiveness: By avoiding over-fertilization and nutrient deficiencies, balanced fertilization optimizes resource use and reduces overall fertilizer costs.

What are the Challenges related to Balanced Fertilisation?

• Price Distortions: The government heavily subsidizes urea, a single-nutrient nitrogen fertilizer, making it cheaper than other fertilizers like DAP (diammonium phosphate) and MOP (muriate of potash), which contain phosphorus and potassium, respectively. This leads to the overuse of urea and neglect of other essential nutrients.
• Distorted Fertilizer Pricing Hinders Potash Use: The current fertilizer pricing system ignores market forces, causing imbalances. For example, MOP, a vital potassium source, is priced too high for both farmers and fertilizer companies. This discourages MOP use, resulting in widespread potassium deficiencies on Indian farms.
• Soil Testing Infrastructure: Inadequate soil testing facilities in rural and remote areas of India make it challenging for farmers to access them for balanced fertilization. Even when tests are conducted, proper training and mechanisms are needed for farmers and extension workers to interpret the results and make appropriate fertilizer recommendations.
• Farmer Awareness and Education: Many farmers are unaware of soil testing and their crops' specific needs. Traditional practices and limited knowledge hinder the adoption of balanced fertilization techniques, leading to issues of over-fertilization, under-fertilization, and insufficient focus on micronutrients.
• Limited Success of Past Schemes: The Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme, designed to promote balanced use, failed because it did not address urea pricing. As a result, urea consumption continued to increase despite the NBS initiative.

What Steps Can be Taken by India to Achieve Balanced Fertilisation?

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM):

• Limitations of Sole Reliance: Recognizes the drawbacks of depending only on chemical fertilizers or organic matter.
• Holistic Approach:
  • Chemical Fertilizers: Supply essential nutrients such as NPK.
  • Organic Matter: Enhances soil health, water retention, and nutrient availability, including manure (cow dung), compost, and crop residues (dhaincha crop).
  • Crop Rotations: Incorporating diverse crops to disrupt pest and disease cycles and improve nutrient utilization.

Customizing Fertilizers Using Technology:

• Multi-nutrient Carriers: Customized fertilizers include macro and micronutrients tailored to crop needs specific to the site, validated by scientific models.
• Emerging Concept: Based on a balanced nutrient fertilization approach to meet multiple nutrient requirements of crops.
• Innovative Steps in Israel:
• High-Resolution Soil Mapping: Integration with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create user-friendly maps and fertilizer recommendations.
• Advanced Laboratory Analyses: Beyond basic NPK tests, focusing on micronutrients, organic matter content, and cation exchange capacity (CEC).

Advanced Approaches Beyond Soil Testing:

• Soil Test Crop Response (STCR):
  • Tailored Recommendations: Based on specific soil type, crop variety, and climatic conditions.
  • Nutrient Uptake Consideration: Takes into account nutrient uptake by crops and soil nutrient availability.
• Diagnosis and Recommendation Integration System (DRIS):
  • Plant Tissue Analysis: Examines nutrient ratios (e.g., N/P, N/K) in plant tissues compared to optimal ratios for high yields.
  • Supplementing Deficient Nutrients: Through top dressing, more suitable for long-duration crops.
• Other Steps:
  • Farmer Education and Training: Providing farmers with the knowledge and skills to effectively implement these approaches.
  • Improved Market Access: Ensuring availability of customized fertilizers and micronutrients at reasonable prices.
  • Policy and Subsidy Reforms: Promoting the use of balanced fertilizers through targeted subsidies and encouraging sustainable practices.
  • Continued Research and Development: Developing new technologies and crop-specific nutrient management solutions.

Snow Leopards

Why in News?

At the National Board for Wildlife meeting in New Delhi, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) unveiled the report on the Status of Snow Leopards in India. This report stems from the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Program, a major scientific effort that offers vital information about the snow leopard population in the country.

What is the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Program?

• The SPAI Program is the first-ever comprehensive scientific exercise aimed at assessing the population of snow leopards in India.
• The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) served as the National Coordinator for the SPAI, with support from snow leopard range states and conservation partners, the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), Mysuru and World Wildlife Fund(WWF)-India.
• The SPAI systematically covered over 70% of the potential snow leopard habitat across the trans-Himalayan region, including UTs of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• The assessment was conducted from 2019 to 2023 using a meticulous two-step framework, including evaluating snow leopard spatial distribution and estimating snow leopard abundance using camera traps.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• Findings:
  • The SPAI exercise recorded a snow leopard population of 718 individuals in India, providing crucial data for conservation efforts.
  • The report detailed the estimated presence of snow leopards in different states: Ladakh (477), Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (9).
• Conservation Efforts and Recommendations:
  • The report emphasises the need for establishing a dedicated Snow Leopard Cell at WII under the MoEFCC to focus on long-term population monitoring.
  • Consistent monitoring through periodic population estimation is proposed to ensure the long-term survival of snow leopards and to identify challenges, address threats, and formulate effective conservation strategies.

Illegal Mining in Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News?

Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) constituted a committee to investigate complaints regarding the illegal operation of stone crushers and mining quarries within the eco-sensitive zone of Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary. The NGT emphasized the urgent need to address several issues, including the disposal of 337 tonnes of chemical waste, remediation of groundwater contamination, resolution of piped water shortages, and monitoring of iron, manganese, and nitrate levels that exceed permissible limits.

What are the Key Points About the Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary?

• Established in 1994, this sanctuary is located within an expansive forested area near the Betwa River, a tributary of the Yamuna, straddling the border between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. This geographical placement enhances its distinct ecosystem and biodiversity.
• Fauna: The sanctuary hosts a diverse array of wildlife, including spotted deer, Blue Bull, Peacock, Wild pig, Monkey, Jackal, Nilgai, Sloth Bear, and various bird species. Birdwatching is particularly popular, with approximately 200 species inhabiting the sanctuary's river ecosystem. These encompass resident birds and migratory species such as peafowls, peacocks, swans, Jungle Bush Quail, minivets, and more.
• Forest Types: The sanctuary primarily comprises southern tropical dry deciduous forests. It boasts dense stands of Dhawa Trees, Kardhai Trees, Teak, Palaash, and Khair, contributing significantly to its abundant biodiversity and natural beauty.

What are Eco-Sensitive Zones?

About:

• The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) stipulated that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.

Activities around ESZs:

• Prohibited Activities: Commercial mining, establishment of major Hydroelectric Projects (HEP), commercial use of wood.
• Regulated Activities: Establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, drastic change of agriculture system, such as: adoption of heavy technology, pesticides, etc, widening of roads.
• Permitted Activities: Rainwater harvesting, organic farming, use of renewable energy sources.

Significance of ESZs:

• Protect Core Ecological Areas:
  • Acts as buffer zone reducing impact from activities like construction and pollution.
  • Minimises threats to wildlife and ecosystems.
  • Promotes in-situ conservation within natural habitats.
• Ensure Sustainable Development:
  • Reduces human-wildlife conflict by minimising disturbances.
  • Encourages sustainable practices in surrounding communities.
  • Creates a transition zone between high-protection and lower-restriction areas.

Himalayan Magpies

Why in News?

In recent times, Himalayan magpies have been attracting growing interest among researchers exploring their habitats and behaviors. These charismatic birds embellish the mountainous terrain spanning from Kashmir to Myanmar, bringing vibrancy to the region.

What are the Key Facts About Himalayan Magpies?

• Corvidae Family and Magpies:
  • Magpies are members of the Corvidae family, which includes crows, jays, and ravens.
  • Corvids are known for their curious and vocal nature, often featuring prominently in folklore worldwide.
• Appearance and Habitat:
  • Despite their folkloric associations, magpies are visually striking, with some of the most notable species found in the Himalayas.
  • Himalayan magpies, including the gold-billed magpie and red-billed magpie, are categorized as "least concern" on the IUCN Red List.
• Species Distribution:
  • Found from Kashmir to Myanmar, various blue magpie species thrive in the Himalayas.
  • The gold-billed magpie inhabits altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 meters, while the red-billed magpie prefers slightly lower elevations.
• Bird Diversity and Habitats:
  • The trekking corridor in Western Sikkim, from Yuksom to Goche La pass, offers excellent opportunities to observe yellow-billed and red-billed magpies.
• Nesting and Behavior:
  • Yellow-billed blue magpies construct nests in rhododendron trees using twigs and grass.
  • Blue and red-billed magpies, slightly smaller in size, exhibit similar behaviors and are often seen alone, in pairs, or small noisy flocks.
• Conservation Concerns:
  • Human activities, including tourism and resource extraction, pose challenges to magpie habitats in forested areas.
  • Sustainable management of tourist attractions, such as rhododendron blooms, is crucial for conserving local ecosystems and supporting magpie populations.

Recipe For A Livable Planet Report of World Bank

Why in News?

Recently, the World Bank published a Report on Creating a Sustainable Planet, which suggests that annual investments of $260 billion are needed to reduce agrifood emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 

• The report emphasizes that this amount is double the current spending on agricultural subsidies.

What are the Key highlights of the Reports?

About:

• "Recipe for a Livable Planet" provides a global strategic framework for reducing the agrifood system's impact on climate change.
• It outlines how the world's food production can significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while continuing to ensure global food security.

Potential and Benefits of Agrifood System Reform:

• Reduction Potential: The global agrifood system can decrease nearly a third of the world’s GHG emissions through feasible and accessible measures.
• These measures will enhance food security, increase the climate resilience of the food system, and protect vulnerable communities during this transition.

Agrifood's Role in Climate Change:

• Contribution to Emissions: Agrifood contributes roughly one-third of global GHG emissions, more than all of the world’s heat and electricity emissions combined.
• Main Conrtributors of Emissions: About three-quarters of these emissions originate from developing countries, necessitating targeted mitigation actions as per the specific needs of the region.
• Emissions from Food Value Chain: Addressing emissions from the entire food value chain, including land use changes, is critical as over half of the emissions stem from beyond the farm level.

What are the Big Opportunities Reports Highlighted?

Economic and Environmental Benefits:

• Untapped Potential: The agrifood sector offers significant, cost-effective opportunities for climate action, including drawing carbon from the atmosphere through enhanced land management.
• Return on Investment: The financial outlay required to halve agrifood emissions by 2030 would yield substantial returns, greatly outweighing the costs with beneficial impacts on health, the economy, and the environment.

Opportunities for Action in Countries and Globally:

• Role of High-Income Countries: These countries should reduce their agrifood energy demands, support lower-income countries through funding and technology transfer, and modify consumer diets away from high-emission foods.
• Middle-Income Countries' Role: These countries can achieve significant emissions reductions through better land use management and agricultural practices.
• Low-Income Countries' Role: Focus on sustainable growth without the burden of high-emission infrastructures, leveraging strategies like agroforestry to boost productivity and resilience.

Actions at the Country and Global Levels:

• Investment and Policy Initiatives: Enhance private sector investment in agrifood mitigation, repurpose subsidies, and implement policies favoring low-emission technologies.
• Innovation and Institutional Support: Use digital technologies for better emissions data and invest in innovations to transform the agrifood system, ensuring inclusive stakeholder participation for a just transition.

What are the Key Highlights Related to India in the Report?

India's Contribution to Global Agrifood Emissions:

• The report identifies India as one of the top 3 countries in terms of total annual agrifood system emissions, along with China, and Brazil.

Cost-Effective Mitigation Potential in India:

• The report notes that countries like India, around 80% of the technical mitigation potential in agriculture could be achieved by adopting cost-saving measures alone.
• This represents a major opportunity for India to reduce emissions while also improving agricultural productivity and incomes.

Key Mitigation Options for India:

• Key mitigation options for India include better livestock feeding (Harit Dhara, a nti-methanogenic feed) and breeding, fertiliser management, and better water management in water intensive crops.
• A marginal abatement cost curve for India's agriculture sector shows these are some of the most cost-effective interventions India can pursue to cut agrifood emissions substantially by 2030.
• India needs to curb methane emissions from agricultural production.
• Adopting practices like intermittent irrigation and promoting varieties that emit less methane provide mitigation opportunities.
• India has high rates of food loss and waste. As per Food Waste Index Report 2021, Indian households generate 50 kg of food waste per capita per year.
• Reducing food loss and waste can provides another high-impact, cost-effective avenue for India.
• Need for International Support: India will need international financial and technical support to realise its agrifood mitigation potential.

Way Forward

• Investments: Governments and businesses should mitigate risks for private climate investments in agrifood by using blended finance, holding corporations accountable, and expanding carbon markets.
• Incentives: Policymakers should adopt measures to hasten the transformation of agrifood systems, such as redirecting harmful subsidies and ensuring policy consistency.
• Information: Enhancing GHG monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems with digital technologies can help unlock climate finance for the sector.
• Innovation: Scaling up cost-effective mitigation technologies and increasing investments in research and development can propel the future evolution of agrifood systems.
• Institutions: International frameworks, national policies, and local initiatives must facilitate agrifood mitigation opportunities in a cohesive manner.
• Inclusion: The transformation must ensure an equitable transition by safeguarding vulnerable groups such as smallholder farmers through stakeholder engagement, equitable benefit sharing, and social empowerment.

Carbon Farming: A Path to Sustainable Agriculture

Why in News?

Given the increasing environmental worries and urgent requirements for agriculture to withstand climate challenges, carbon farming has become a pivotal strategy worldwide. Carbon, found in all living beings and many minerals, is essential for life on our planet, playing a crucial role in processes like photosynthesis and respiration. Farming encompasses land stewardship, crop cultivation, and animal husbandry for food production.

What is Carbon Farming?

About:

• Carbon farming represents a strategic approach aimed at maximising carbon sequestration and employing agricultural practices designed to enhance the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere while facilitating its retention in both plant biomass and soil organic matter.
• This process requires careful planning, monitoring, and adaptation to local conditions to maximise its effectiveness in mitigating climate change.

What is the Significance of Carbon Farming?

• Climate Change Mitigation: Carbon farming is pivotal in the fight against climate change by sequestering carbon in soil and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Soil Health Enhancement: By nurturing healthy soil, carbon farming bolsters water retention, diminishes erosion, and boosts nutrient availability, resulting in amplified crop yields and agricultural productivity.
• Converting organic waste into compost, which can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure, fertility, and carbon content.
• Biodiversity Enrichment: Carbon farming fosters biodiversity by fostering intricate ecosystems in agricultural settings, attracting beneficial insects and pollinators that fortify crop health and lessen dependence on pesticides.
• Economic Opportunities: Implementation of carbon farming practices opens avenues for farmers to tap into carbon credit markets, alongside potentially augmented yields from enriched soil, thus diversifying income streams and bolstering financial resilience.

What are the Techniques Involved in Carbon Farming?

• Forest Management
  • Healthy forests absorb and hold carbon dioxide emissions produced from other sources and are an important source of greenhouse gas (GHG) sequestration. Carbon offsets can be created through a variety of strategies including, avoiding deforestation and permanent land conservation, reforestation and replanting activities, and improved forest management.
  • Agroforestry not only sequesters carbon but also provides additional sources of income for farmers and deforestation contributes to 15-20% of the rise in greenhouse gas levels globally, activities to address this include managing forests by thinning them out, selectively harvesting trees, encouraging regrowth, planting new trees, and using fertilisers to help forests grow in a productive and sustainable way.
• Grasslands Conservation
  • Native grasses and other vegetation provide a natural source of greenhouse gas (GHG) absorption and sequestration.
• Carbon offsets from this category focus on maintaining native plant life through permanent land conservation and avoiding conversion for commercial development or intensive agriculture.
• Renewable Energy Production
  • Renewable energy facilities such as wind or solar, generate carbon offsets by displacing fossil fuel-based electricity production sources within the power grid.
  • The carbon offsets derived from a certified third-party project generates the carbon credit, which is owned by the entity that develops the project.
• Conservation Agriculture Techniques
  • Methods like zero tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, and crop residue management minimise soil disruption while fostering organic matter accumulation.
  • Planting cover crops during fallow periods to protect and enrich the soil, enhance biodiversity, and sequester carbon.
• Rotational Grazing
  • It entails periodically relocating livestock to new pastures, this practice allows previously grazed areas to rejuvenate, minimising erosion and fostering robust regrowth.
  • The flourishing vegetation, in return, absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sequesters it in the soil through photosynthesis.

What are the Potential Opportunities for Carbon Farming in India?

• Economic Opportunity: India's extensive agricultural base presents significant economic opportunities through the adoption of carbon farming practices with an estimated potential of $63 billion from approximately 170 million hectares of arable land.
  • Carbon Credit Systems: Implementation of carbon credit systems can offer additional income streams to Indian farmers by recognising their contributions to environmental services.
• Agricultural soils in India have the potential to sequester 3-8 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually over 20-30 years, thus providing opportunities for farmers to participate in carbon trading markets.
• Regional Suitability: Different regions of India offer varying degrees of suitability for carbon farming initiatives.
  
  • The fertile plains of the Indo-Gangetic region and the expansive Deccan Plateau are particularly favourable for implementing carbon farming practices.
• However, regions such as the Himalayan foothills and coastal areas face specific challenges, including mountainous terrain and salinisation, which may require tailored approaches to carbon farming implementation.

What are the Challenges Associated to Carbon Farming?

• Soil Composition: Soils with poor structure or low organic matter may have limited capacity for carbon storage and may require amendments or management practices to enhance fertility and carbon sequestration potential.
• Geographic Location: Geographic factors like elevation, slope, and proximity to water bodies also impact land use options and agricultural productivity.
• For example, high-altitude regions may have limited crop options due to colder temperatures, while coastal areas may face challenges related to saltwater intrusion and soil salinity.
• Varieties of Crops: The selection of crop varieties suitable for specific soil types, climates, and growing seasons is critical for optimising agricultural productivity and carbon sequestration potential, varieties that are well-adapted to local conditions and resilient to pests, diseases, and extreme weather events can enhance crop yields and contribute to soil health and carbon storage.
• However, limited availability of diverse crop varieties or lack of access to improved seeds may constrain farmers' ability to maximise carbon farming benefits.
• Water Scarcity: Adequate water is essential for plant growth and photosynthesis, which are fundamental processes for carbon sequestration.
• Arid regions face challenges in carbon farming due to inadequate water availability, which impedes plant growth and reduces the capacity for carbon sequestration.
• Financial Constraints: Small-scale farmers in developing nations like India often encounter financial barriers, struggling to afford the initial costs associated with implementing sustainable practices essential for carbon farming.
• Limited Policy Support: The absence of robust policy frameworks and insufficient community engagement hinder the widespread adoption of carbon farming practices, impeding its potential impact on mitigating climate change.

What Strategies can be adopted to Encourage Carbon Farming?

• Legal Framework for Carbon Farming: Implementing comprehensive legislation for carbon farming can demonstrate the creation of carbon sinks on agricultural lands. This approach can effectively address climate crises, enhance agricultural sustainability, and promote equitable development.
• Direct Incentives for Farmers: Recognizing the critical role of agriculture and forestry in carbon capture, it is essential to provide direct incentives such as tools and credit support to encourage the adoption of climate-friendly practices. Current policies lack specific tools to sufficiently incentivize the expansion and preservation of carbon sinks.
• Utilizing Carbon Credits and Banks: Incentivizing farmers with globally tradable carbon credits and establishing carbon banks can stimulate efforts in carbon sequestration. These mechanisms enable the sale of credits to corporations seeking emission offsets, thereby encouraging sustainable land management.
• Collective Engagement: A successful carbon farming framework requires cohesive policies, public-private partnerships, accurate quantification methods, and supportive financing mechanisms. Scalable implementation is crucial to achieving measurable carbon capture while ensuring soil health and resilience.
• Unlocking Soil Potential: Soil, often overlooked as a climate defence, acts as a significant carbon sink. India must harness its soil potential to achieve Net Zero goals and advance decarbonization efforts.

Failure of Market-Based Approaches to Forest Conservation

Why in News?

Recently, a major scientific review by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) found that market-based approaches to forest conservation, such as carbon offsets and deforestation-free certification schemes, have largely failed to protect trees or alleviate poverty.

What are the Key Findings of Recent Study?

• The global study, done in 120 countries, concluded that trade and finance-driven initiatives had made "limited" progress in halting deforestation and in some cases worsened economic inequality.
• The report suggests a "radical rethink" of market-based approaches as poverty and forest loss persist across different regions globally where market mechanisms have been the main policy option for decades.
• It also provides examples from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malaysia, and Ghana where market-based projects failed to benefit local communities or halt deforestation.
• There is a rise in complex and overlapping market-based schemes “with financial actors and shareholders more often interested in short-term profits than long-term just and sustainable forest governance”.
• Study raises concerns about wealthy nations' green trade policies, arguing they might have negative consequences for developing countries without proper implementation.
• The report is planned to be presented at a high-level UN forum, emphasising the significance of its findings and recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders in the field of forest conservation.

What are the Market-Based Approaches to Forest Conservation?

About:

• Traditionally, forest conservation relied on regulations and government intervention.
• Market-based approaches put a value on the environmental benefits of forests and create mechanisms for people to profit from protecting them.
• It aims to create a market where sustainable practices become more attractive than deforestation.

Examples of Market-Based Approaches:

• Carbon Offsets: Companies that produce carbon emissions can invest in projects that protect forests, which absorb carbon dioxide. This allows them to offset their emissions footprint.
• Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES): Landowners who manage their forests in a sustainable way can receive payments from governments, NGOs, or businesses for the environmental services their forests provide, such as clean water or biodiversity habitat.
• Deforestation-Free Certification: This involves independent verification that products come from sustainably managed forests, allowing consumers to choose forest-friendly options.

What are the Impacts of Market-Based Approaches (MBAs) to Forest Conservation?

Positives

• Incentivise Conservation: Creating economic incentives for forest conservation provides value to landowners who might otherwise consider logging. This approach motivates them to maintain forests as carbon sinks.
  Example: Carbon offsets generate income for communities safeguarding forests, crucial in combating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide.
• Market Efficiency: Market-based mechanisms are more efficient than traditional regulations, allowing the market to identify cost-effective methods for achieving conservation goals.
  Example: Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs allocate resources to landowners who can demonstrate substantial ecological benefits.
• Promote Sustainable Practices: By rewarding sustainable practices over deforestation, market-based approaches encourage long-term forest management.
  Example: Certification schemes for deforestation-free products empower consumers to choose responsibly sourced goods, driving demand for sustainable forestry practices.

Negatives:

• Unequal Benefits: Market-based approaches can exacerbate existing inequalities, benefiting wealthier entities more readily than poorer communities.
  Example: Complexity in carbon offset markets can exclude local communities, limiting their ability to benefit from forest conservation efforts.
• Monitoring Challenges: Effective conservation outcomes depend on rigorous monitoring to prevent "greenwashing," where projects falsely appear beneficial without real conservation impact.
  Example: PES programs require clear baselines and verification mechanisms to ensure genuine improvements in forest health.
• Uncertain Long-Term Impact: The long-term effectiveness of Market-Based Approaches (MBAs) in forest conservation is still under evaluation.
  Example: A recent study by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) suggests that MBAs, including carbon offsets and certification schemes, have not adequately protected trees or alleviated poverty as intended.

Constructed Wetlands

Why in News?

Constructed wetlands are a natural solution for wastewater treatment, mimicking natural wetlands with plants, soil, and water to purify water.

About Constructed Wetlands

Constructed wetlands are man-made systems engineered to replicate the natural functions of wetlands for wastewater treatment. They consist of tailored combinations of soil, plants, and microorganisms that aid in breaking down and eliminating contaminants from water.

Types of Constructed Wetlands

• Subsurface Flow (SSF) Wetlands: Wastewater flows horizontally through a bed of porous media (such as gravel or sand) planted with wetland vegetation. Microbial activity in the porous media degrades organic pollutants as the water moves through.
• Surface Flow (SF) Wetlands: Water flows across the surface of the wetland, typically featuring shallow ponds or channels with emergent vegetation. Contaminants are removed through physical, chemical, and biological processes as the water interacts with plants and microorganisms.

Components and Processes

• Vegetation: Wetland plants such as cattails, bulrushes, and sedges play a crucial role in constructed wetlands. Their roots provide surfaces where beneficial bacteria can break down organic matter. Additionally, these plants absorb nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, thereby reducing their presence in the water.
• Microorganisms: Bacteria, archaea, and fungi within the wetland substrate (soil or gravel) contribute significantly to the biodegradation of pollutants. They transform ammonia into nitrate, which is a less harmful form of nitrogen, and stabilize phosphorus compounds.

Benefits of Constructed Wetlands

• Cost-Effectiveness: Constructed wetlands are often more cost-effective to construct and maintain compared to conventional treatment methods. They require minimal energy consumption and operational expenses, making them suitable for resource-limited settings.
• Environmental Benefits: Constructed wetlands promote biodiversity by providing habitats for a variety of plant and animal species. They also contribute to ecosystem services such as flood control, groundwater recharge, and carbon sequestration.
• Versatility and Scalability: These systems can be customized to treat various types of industrial wastewater based on specific contaminants present. They are adaptable for both centralized (large-scale) and decentralized (small-scale) wastewater treatment solutions.

Examples of Constructed Wetlands in India

• Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary (Delhi): Utilises a constructed wetland system to treat sewage from nearby settlements while supporting local biodiversity.
• Perungudi and Kodungaiyur (Chennai): Implemented decentralised wastewater treatment using constructed wetlands to reduce pollution levels.
• Kolkata East Wetlands (West Bengal): Ramsar site with a network of natural and constructed wetlands treating wastewater from Kolkata and surrounding areas.
• Palla Village (Haryana): Constructed wetlands treat wastewater from Delhi, improving water quality in the Yamuna River.
• Auroville (Tamil Nadu): International township using decentralised wastewater treatment systems, including constructed wetlands.

Opportunities and Challenges in India

• Policy Frameworks: Clear policies and regulations are needed to incentivize industries to adopt constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment.
• Capacity Building: Enhancing technical expertise among stakeholders (industry professionals, regulators, local communities) is crucial for successful implementation and operation.
• Monitoring and Research: Continuous monitoring and research are essential to optimise design parameters and address emerging challenges (e.g., new contaminants, climate change impacts).
• Community Engagement: Involving local communities in planning, design, and management fosters ownership and ensures the long-term sustainability of constructed wetland projects.

Constructed wetlands present a promising, eco-friendly approach to wastewater treatment in India, harnessing natural processes to eliminate contaminants and advance environmental sustainability. Through enabling policies, capacity-building initiatives, and community engagement, constructed wetlands can greatly contribute to sustainable industrial development and safeguarding water resources for future generations.

Climate Migration

Why in News?

Climate-driven displacements have risen globally in both frequency and scale. In 2021, cyclones and floods alone caused displacements affecting 23.7 million people, as reported by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).

Estimates about Migration

• IOM estimates: According to the International Organisation on Migration (IOM), between 25 million and 1 billion people globally could be forced to migrate from their homes due to climate change and environmental degradation by 2050.
• Situation in South Asia: South Asia mirrors this trend. Most internal displacements in the region each year stem from disasters, with nearly 5.3 million displacements reported in 2021 alone.
• CANSA Report: The Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) forecasts that climate disasters will compel approximately 45 million people in India alone to migrate by 2050, marking a threefold increase from current figures.

How women and children are most vulnerable?

• UN report: The United Nations asserts that around 80 percent of climate change displaces include women.
• Global International Migrant Stock: The present share of women migrants in the Global International Migrant Stock oscillates between 48 percent and 52 percent, as they frequently experience ‘triple discrimination’ given their positions as women, unprotected workers and migrants.
• Developing countries are most vulnerable: The situation becomes even more precarious in developing countries like India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and several small island nations in the Pacific Ocean.
• Violence is likely: Women uprooted due to climate change become more vulnerable to violence, human trafficking, and armed conflicts. For instance, a study by the Sierra Club (2018) revealed how women impacted by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar witnessed increased occurrences of sexual and domestic abuse, forced prostitution, and sex and labour trafficking.

What is the New York Declaration on international Migration?

• Global compact for migration (GCM): The adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in 2018 marked a milestone. For the first time, a comprehensive framework recognizing climate change-induced migration was integrated into the broader Context of international migration.
• Global compact on refugee: In the same year, the Declaration also led to the adoption of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). However, extending refugee law to effectively address the needs of those displaced by climate change remains an unresolved humanitarian challenge.
• More investment in research: The Declaration underscores the necessity for increased investment in research to address the complexities of environmental migration. It emphasizes key climate change mitigation instruments such as the Paris Climate Agreement, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
• Share responsibility on states: The Zero Draft of the GCM itself outlines the collective responsibilities of states in committing to migration causes, emphasizing moral obligations for achieving its goals and objectives.

Discussion in COP27 about climate migration

• Global goal on adaptation: The 2022 Conference of the Parties’ (or COP27) summit was seen as a platform that would lend visibility to the concept of climate migration, especially in light of how a work programme for defining a Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) towards identifying collective needs and solutions in light of the ongoing climate crisis that has already affected so many countries around the world, was established in the 2021 COP26 summit.
• Lack of progress on migration: While COP27 established a framework towards the attainment of the GGA (likely to be adopted in 2023 at COP28), its progress towards protecting and assisting climate migrants remains in a state of limbo.
• Task force on displacement: As highlighted in a study by the ECDM, the key problem lies in how the Task Force on Displacement has projected climate-induced mobility as a “loss and damage” concern, in turn putting forth the idea that this kind of human mobility stands as a failed adoption strategy.

What role India can play on climate-induced migration?

• No clear reference to climate migration: Paragraph 40 of the G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration talks about preventing irregular migration flows, the trafficking of migrants and holding such talks in the future G20 summits to come, but the term “climate migration” fails to make an appearance.
• Leverage G20 for climate migration consensus: India seeks to play a significant role in the international efforts for climate action, and its commitment can be reflected in it being party to the UNFCCC and its instruments–the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. Its presidency could provide a platform for the G20 countries to work together in addressing the growing concerns of human mobility in forms of both migration and displacements.
• Intergovernmental dialogue: Also, knowledge gaps pertaining to human mobility because of climate change and environmental degradation can be addressed through intergovernmental dialogues to be held at the G20 platform under India’s Presidency.

New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG)

Why in News?

Recently, in light of the urgent threat posed by climate change, the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) has arisen as a pivotal initiative aimed at mobilizing resources for developing nations to tackle climate challenges.

• This topic will be central to the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled to be held later this year in Baku, Azerbaijan.

What is the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG)?

About:

• The NCQG is a new annual financial target that developed countries must meet from 2025 onward to provide climate finance to developing countries.
• It will replace the previous commitment of USD 100 billion per year that developed nations had pledged in 2009 but failed to deliver.

Importance of NCQG:

• Empower Developing Countries: Developing countries are often disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing less to greenhouse gas emissions.
• The NCQG provides them with the financial resources needed to invest in clean energy, adaptation measures, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
• Accelerate Climate Action: Climate change mitigation and adaptation require significant investments.
• The NCQG can unlock the necessary funds for developing countries to implement ambitious climate action plans aligned with the Paris Agreement's goals.
• Promote a Just Transition: The NCQG can support a just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, creating new jobs and opportunities while protecting vulnerable communities.
• Boost Global Cooperation: Fulfilling the NCQG necessitates collaboration between developed and developing countries.
• This fosters international cooperation and strengthens the global response to climate change.

4th Session of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee

Why in News?

Recently, the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) convened in Ottawa, Canada, drawing representatives from more than 170 member states of the United Nations Environment Agency (UNEA).

• This gathering forms a crucial segment of the ongoing efforts to establish a binding international agreement addressing plastic pollution by the conclusion of 2024 under UNEA.
• However, the INC-4 discussions on a global plastics treaty did not result in an agreement. Negotiators are now aiming to achieve consensus during the next session, INC-5, scheduled for November 2024 in South Korea.

Why is a Global Plastics Treaty Needed?

Rapid Expansion of Plastic Production:

• Since the 1950s, plastic production worldwide has skyrocketed. It increased from just 2 million tonnes in 1950 to more than 450 million tonnes in 2019.
• If left unchecked, the production is slated to double by 2050, and triple by 2060.

Plastic Waste and Burden:

• Although plastic is a cheap and versatile material, with a wide variety of applications, its widespread use has led to a crisis.
• As plastic takes anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, and less than 10% has been recycled till now, nearly 6 billion tonnes now pollute the planet, according to a 2023 study published by The Lancet.
• About 400 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated annually, a figure expected to jump by 62% between 2024 and 2050.
• Much of this plastic waste leaks into the environment, especially into rivers and oceans, where it breaks down into smaller particles (microplastic or nanoplastic).
• These contain more than 16,000 chemicals that can harm ecosystems and living organisms, including humans, the chemicals are known to disturb the body’s hormone systems, cause cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders, etc.

Climate Change:

• Plastic production and disposal are also contributing to climate change. According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2019, plastics generated 1.8 billion tonnes of GHG emissions (3.4% of global emissions).
• Roughly 90% of these emissions come from plastic production, which uses fossil fuels as raw material. If current trends continue, emissions from production could grow 20% by 2050.

What Can the Global Plastic Treaty Entail?

• Global Objectives: The treaty aims to address marine and other types of environmental pollution caused by plastics.
• It focuses on establishing global objectives to combat plastic pollution and assess its impact on ecosystems.
• Guidelines for International Cooperation: The treaty may outline how wealthier nations can support poorer ones in achieving their plastic reduction goals.
• Prohibitions and Targets: It could include bans on specific plastics, products, and chemical additives, along with legally binding targets for recycling and recycled content in consumer goods.
• Chemical Testing Mandates: The treaty might require the testing of certain chemicals present in plastics to ensure safety and environmental protection.
• Consideration for Vulnerable Workers: Details may be included regarding a just transition for waste pickers and workers in developing countries reliant on the plastic industry for livelihoods.
• Progress Assessment: The treaty will include provisions for assessing member states' progress in implementing plastic pollution reduction measures.
• Regular evaluations will ensure accountability and drive continuous improvement in global efforts to combat plastic pollution.

What are the Challenges in Advancing the Treaty?

• Resistance from Oil and Gas Giants:
  • Several major oil and gas-producing nations, along with groups from the fossil fuel and chemical industries, are pushing to narrow the treaty's focus exclusively to plastic waste management and recycling.
• Polarising Negotiations:
  • Since the initial discussions in Uruguay in November 2022, oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran have vehemently opposed setting limits on plastic production. They have resorted to various delaying tactics, including procedural disputes, to impede productive dialogue.
• Decision-making Challenges:
  • The process of reaching decisions on the treaty remains contentious, with countries yet to agree on whether consensus or majority voting should dictate its adoption.
• High-Ambition Coalition vs. US Stance:
  • The "High Ambition Coalition (HAC) to End Plastic Pollution," comprising about 65 nations including African nations and most of the European Union, advocates ambitious objectives such as eliminating plastic pollution by 2040 and phasing out problematic single-use plastics and harmful chemical additives.
  • In contrast, the United States, while expressing a commitment to ending plastic pollution by 2040, diverges from the coalition's approach by favoring voluntary measures over binding commitments.
• Influence of Industry Interests:
  • Fossil fuel and chemical corporations are actively engaged in efforts to weaken the treaty's effectiveness, as evidenced by a significant number of lobbyists involved.
  • These industries, which derive substantial profits from plastics made from fossil fuels, oppose production reductions and inaccurately portray the plastics crisis as merely a waste management issue, deflecting attention from the underlying problem of plastic production itself.

What is India's Stance at INC-4?

• Preamble and Objective:
  • India proposed that the preamble should reaffirm "the sovereign rights of states to sustainable development".
  • The objective put forward is "to protect human health and the environment from plastic pollution, including in marine environments, while promoting sustainable development".
  • India stressed the inclusion of principles like equity, sustainable development, and differentiated responsibilities, but noted the absence of fundamental human rights principles such as the right to a healthy environment and access to information.
• Restrictions on Plastic Production:
  • India opposes any restrictions on primary plastic polymers or virgin plastics, arguing that such limits go beyond the scope outlined in UNEA resolution 5/14.
  • India pointed out that certain chemicals used in plastic manufacturing are already subject to prohibition or regulation under different international agreements.
• Chemicals and Polymers of Concern:
  • India advocates for a transparent and scientifically informed decision-making process regarding chemicals.
  • India disagrees with including references to polymers of concern in the agreement.
• Midstream Measures:
  • India highlights the importance of sustainable and efficient plastic use, advocating for improved product design to enhance durability.
  • It stresses the need for nationally determined approaches for downstream measures like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), excluding international supply chains from consideration.
• Emissions and Releases:
  • India emphasizes prioritizing the elimination of plastic waste leakage into the environment, but excludes considerations of emissions and effluents during manufacturing and recycling processes.
• Prioritising Waste Management:
  • India advocates prioritizing plastic waste management as the primary intervention area, omitting considerations of emissions during manufacturing and recycling stages.
  • It expresses concerns about cross-cutting issues such as trade and financing, insisting on comprehensive financial and technical assistance along with technology transfer.

What are the Initiatives Related to Plastic?

• UNEP Plastics Initiative
  • Objective: Eliminate global plastic pollution by reducing virgin plastics and promoting a circular economy.
  • Focus: Innovation, reduction, and reuse of plastics.
• Goals:
  • Scale down the issue's magnitude.
  • Foster circular design.
  • Ensure practical circularity.
  • Manage plastic waste effectively.
  • Targets by 2027: Enhance plastics policies in 45 countries, involve 500 private sector entities in circular solutions, engage 50 financial institutions in supporting the transition.
• Global Tourism Plastics Initiative
  • Aim: Unify tourism stakeholders to combat plastic pollution.
  • Leadership: Led by UN Environment and UNWTO.
  • Support: Assist organizations in reducing and enhancing plastic use.
  • Commitments: Developing sector-wide commitments for implementation by 2025.
• Circular Plastic Economy
  • Origin: EU's Circular Economy Action Plan (2015) and European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy.
  • Strategy: Promotes a circular approach to limit plastic waste by emphasizing reuse over single-use plastics.
• Bans on Plastic
  • Global Trend: Several countries have enacted bans on plastic products.
• Examples:
  • Bangladesh (2002): First to ban thin plastic bags.
  • China (2020): Phased ban on plastic bags.
  • US (12 states): Bans on single-use plastic bags.
  • European Union (July 2021): Directive banning certain single-use plastics where alternatives exist.
• India's Initiatives
  • Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024
  • Plastics Manufacture and Usage (Amendment) Rules (2003)
  • UNDP India’s Plastic Waste Management Program (2018-2024)
  • Prakrit Initiative
  • EPR Portal by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
  • India Plastics Pact
  • Project REPLAN
  • Swachh Bharat Mission

Each heading summarizes key global and India-specific efforts to address plastic pollution, reflecting a range of regulatory, strategic, and collaborative approaches.