The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 9th November 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The BRICS journey — gaining heft while in transition

Why in News?

The 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan highlighted the bloc’s resilience amid global conflicts, expanding membership and aiming to reform the international order for inclusivity.New partnerships signal BRICS’s growing influence in representing the Global South.India views BRICS as key to advancing strategic autonomy and fostering East-West relations.

Background and Context

• The BRICS 2024 summit took place in Kazan, Russia, marking the 16th meeting of this group since it started in 2009.
• BRICS originally included Brazil, Russia, India, and China. In 2011, South Africa became a member, forming the current group.
• In its second decade, the group faced several challenges, including:
  • The impact of COVID-19.
  • The India-China clash at Galwan Valley in 2020.
  • Russia's conflict with NATO due to the Ukraine war.
• These issues tested the group's unity and strength.

Expansion and Global Representation

• At the 15th BRICS summit in 2023, new members were added, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
• Interest from 34 other countries shows that BRICS is an attractive option for emerging markets and developing nations, seeking to form a “Global Majority”.
• Thirteen additional countries were invited to join as “partner states,” which includes Cuba, Algeria, Türkiye, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan.
• This expansion increases the demographic and economic diversity of BRICS.

Core Mission and Characteristics of BRICS

• BRICS aims to change the global system by focusing on inclusiveness, solidarity, and equality, rather than creating a new world system.
• The main areas of interest include:
  • Political and security cooperation
  • Economic and financial partnerships
  • People-to-people connections
• The group's philosophy, referred to as the BRICS spirit, encourages:
  • Mutual respect
  • Sovereign equality
  • Democracy
  • Consensus
• BRICS serves as a voice for the Global South.

BRICS 2024 Summit Outcomes

• Political and Security Cooperation
  • The declaration focused on the conflict in West Asia, criticizing Israeli actions and urging for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
  • In contrast, the war in Ukraine received little attention because of Russia's leadership in BRICS, with members emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution.
  • The summit opposed unilateral economic sanctions, pointing out their negative effects on human rights.
• Economic and Financial Cooperation
  • The concept of a common currency is still being considered, but the main focus is on promoting trade in local currencies among BRICS countries and their partners.
  • Saudi Arabia's reluctance has affected funding expectations for the New Development Bank (NDB), resulting in suggestions to improve NDB operations without relying on large amounts of capital.
• Social and Cultural Collaboration
  • The summit highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges in areas like culture, sports, and civil society to promote long-term socio-economic development, with the goal of building stronger connections among BRICS societies.

India’s Role and Perspective

• Strategic and Diplomatic Importance
  • BRICS is one of India's six key plurilateral platforms, helping it promote a more balanced world, maintain strategic independence, and support the interests of the Global South.
  • The summit included an important meeting between India and China, resulting in agreements for border disengagement, which could lead to better relations between the two countries.
  • India appreciates BRICS for its role in connecting the East and West as well as the North and South, which helps broaden its diplomatic influence.
• Perspective on BRICS Expansion
  • Although India was initially hesitant about expanding BRICS, it now views expansion as a positive move, as long as it is handled carefully to enhance the group's influence.
  • The potential for BRICS to encourage discussions between the East and West and the North and South fits with India's geopolitical goals, strengthening its role as a significant player on the global stage.

Conclusion

• The Kazan summit highlighted the strength and flexibility of BRICS, focusing on the need for global reforms that include everyone instead of completely changing the existing system.
• With the addition of new members and partner states, BRICS is able to expand its influence in the world.
• India's active role and its growing diplomatic relationships show how important BRICS is as a balancing force in global affairs.

Practice Question: 

Discuss the evolving role of BRICS in promoting a multipolar world order, with a focus on recent expansions and India’s strategic objectives within the grouping. (150 Words /10 marks)

Staying cool, but with clean tech, global collaborations 

Why in News?

As global temperatures rise, sustainable cooling solutions are critical to protecting vulnerable populations.The Quad nations, particularly India, are leading initiatives like the Wilmington Declaration to promote affordable, high-efficiency cooling technologies.Through partnerships and policies, India is positioning itself as a leader in climate-friendly cooling efforts worldwide.

The Wilmington Declaration and Quad’s Commitment

• On September 21, 2024, the Quad nations—Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.—released the Wilmington Declaration. 
• They confirmed their commitment to sustainable energy and solutions for high-efficiency cooling. 
• This declaration builds on the previous India-U.S. roadmap, which aims to create secure and strong global clean energy supply chains. 
• The focus is on making affordable and energy-efficient cooling technologies available in areas that are most at risk. 

India’s Leadership in Sustainable Cooling

• India has promised to make big investments in solar energy and cooling systems throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
• Working together with the U.S., India plans to increase the production of energy-efficient air conditioners and ceiling fans.
• The goal is to reduce the environmental impact caused by cooling technology.

Cooling-Related Emissions: The Role of the Kigali Amendment

• The Montreal Protocol’s Kigali Amendment, established in 2016, aims to reduce HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), which are powerful greenhouse gases commonly found in cooling systems. 
• If we do not take action, these HFCs could lead to an increase of about 0.52°C in global temperatures by the year 2100. 
• By reducing HFC emissions and improving energy efficiency, we could achieve around two-thirds of the possible reductions in greenhouse gases. 
• This reduction would primarily come from lowering electricity consumption, which is related to the use of cooling systems that utilize HFCs. 

Emissions Challenges: Indirect and Direct Impacts

• Indirect emissions from cooling systems that use fossil fuels and direct emissions from harmful refrigerants both present climate risks. 
• Many countries do not have combined efficiency and refrigerant standards. 
• Outdated and inefficient cooling appliances are still common in several markets. 
• This situation creates both environmental and energy challenges. 

India’s Need for a Mission-Mode Approach

• India is experiencing very high temperatures, with some areas reaching 50°C. This situation highlights the importance of having effective cooling systems to ensure public health, safeguard food and medicines, and support industrial activities. 
• Forecasts suggest that by 2030, between 160 million and 200 million people in India may experience dangerous heatwaves every year. This extreme heat can negatively impact productivity, health, and food security. 

India’s Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)

• In 2021, India agreed to the Kigali Amendment, which means the country will work to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 85% by the year 2047. 
• The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) aims for a 20% to 25% decrease in the demand for cooling and encourages the use of refrigerants that have a low global warming potential (GWP). 
• It is crucial to set up a national mission for sustainable cooling that includes teamwork across different sectors and coordination between various government departments to tackle these issues effectively. 

Global Partnerships and the Role of COP29

• The Quad's projects and the partnership between the U.S. and India aim to provide affordable, high-efficiency cooling solutions, with a focus on fair access for the areas that need it most.
• At COP28 in Dubai, 63 countries committed to a 68% reduction in cooling emissions by 2050 through the Global Cooling Pledge. This initiative seeks to give cooling access to 3.5 billion people and save $17 trillion in energy expenses.
• COP29 needs to build on these efforts by increasing global commitments, forming more partnerships, and enhancing access to sustainable cooling technology.
• India is showing leadership in cooling solutions through its ICAP (Indian Cooling Action Plan), positioning the country as a key player in climate-friendly cooling options. This ensures comfort while also supporting climate goals.