UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions 2021: GS3 Environment & Ecology | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (Environment and Ecology)
Ans: 

The Green Grid Initiative: The Green Grid, also known as the One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG), was introduced during COP-26 in Glasgow by India and the UK. It aims to establish interconnected electricity grids globally, focusing on energy access for the poorest through various solutions.

Objectives of the Initiative:

• Decarbonizing Energy: Accelerating the shift to cleaner energy production.
• Creating a Global Solar Grid: Developing an international network for continuous supply of green power.
• Boosting Research and Development: Increasing investment in R&D by pooling skills, technology, and finances.

Challenges:

• Financial Hurdles: Establishing global transmission infrastructure requires substantial funding.
• International Collaboration: Requiring cooperation among countries to connect with the Green Grid.
• Security Risks: Potential security threats from various geographical locations along the grid's path need to be addressed.

Impact and Vision: The Green Grid aims to revolutionize access to renewable energy, making it universally available by 2030. It strives to ensure affordable and reliable clean power as the primary energy source for all nations

Q2: Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? (Environment and Ecology)
Ans: 

Updated WHO Air Quality Guidelines: The World Health Organization (WHO) released updated Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs), recommending revised pollutant levels to safeguard population health by reducing key air pollutants. This update marks WHO's first revision since 2005.

Key Updates:

• Recommended Pollutants: The guidelines cover six pollutants: particulate matter (PM 2.5 & PM10), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO).

• New Air Quality Levels:

  • Annual average levels for PM2.5 and PM10 should not exceed 5 and 15 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively.
  • 24-hour averages for PM2.5 and PM10 should not surpass 15 and 45 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively.
  • Average levels for ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide should stay below 100, 25, 40, and 4 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively, over a 24-hour period.

Impact on India: The updated guidelines classify most of India as a polluted zone, urging the country to intensify efforts to improve air quality. India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to reduce particulate matter by 20% to 30% in 122 cities by 2024, aligning with 2017 as the baseline year.

Improving Air Quality: India's existing air pollution standards are less stringent than WHO's guidelines. To address this, efforts are required to align with more stringent targets. The proposed Clean Air for All initiative aims to make PM2.5 & PM10 targets more rigorous, emphasizing the need for an airshed approach to combat air pollution.

Q3: Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (Environment and Ecology)
Ans: 

Highlights of COP26:

• Methane Reduction Pledge: The EU and US have committed to cutting methane emissions, aiming to prevent 0.2 degrees Celsius of global warming by reducing global methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. India didn't sign this pledge.
• Deforestation Commitment: Over 100 leaders pledged to stop and reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030, expanding on a 2014 commitment and promising increased resources.
• Climate Finance: India stressed the need for climate finance to be increased to at least USD 1 trillion, highlighting the importance of unity among Like-Minded Developing Countries in UNFCCC negotiations.
• IRIS Initiative: India initiated the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) to support small island nations facing climate threats, utilizing ISRO's data window for timely information on cyclones and coastal monitoring.
• OSOWOG Initiative: India and the UK launched the One Sun One World One Grid initiative to harness solar energy across borders, part of the Green Grids Initiative (GGI).

India's COP26 Commitments ('Panchamrit'):

• India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070.
• Targeting a non-fossil energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030.
• Reducing the economy's carbon intensity to 45% by 2030.
• 50% energy requirement from renewable sources by 2030.
• Aiming to cut 1 billion tonnes of carbon emissions by 2030.

COP26 marks a positive step toward emission reduction, but global major emitters need to do more. India should focus on detailed plans, especially concerning reducing coal-based power generation and promoting electric vehicles.