Weekly Current Affairs (8th to 14th June 2023) Part - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Converting Plastic Waste into Fuel

Context: As the world observes the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day on June 5, this year's campaign, #BeatPlasticPollution, highlights the urgent need for global solutions to combat the pervasive issue of plastic pollution.

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is supporting a range of technologies aimed at addressing the global issue of plastic pollution. By focusing on reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic waste, they developed a Pilot scale mobile plant that converts plastic waste into fuel.

What is Plastic?

About:

• The word plastic is derived from the Greek word plastikos, meaning “capable of being shaped or moulded.”
• It refers to a wide range of Synthetic or semi-synthetic materials derived from polymers, characterized by their plasticity and ability to undergo deformation.
• Modern plastics primarily originate from fossil fuel-based chemicals like natural gas or petroleum but can also be produced from renewable materials such as corn or cotton derivatives.
• Around 70% of global plastic production is concentrated in six major polymer types – referred to collectively as commodity plastics.

These include

• Polyethylene terephthalate or PET,
• High-density polyethylene or HDPE,
• Polyvinyl chloride or PVC,
• Low-density polyethylene or LDPE,
• Polypropylene or PP,
• Polystyrene or PS,
• Other Plastics.

Each of these has different properties and can be identified by their resin identification code (RIC) denoted by symbols found on plastic products.

What is Resin Identification Code?

• RIC was developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI).
• Created to facilitate efficient sorting and recycling of plastics.
• Each RIC corresponds to a specific type of resin used in a plastic product.
• Proper recycling according to RIC preserves the value of the product.
• The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) an international organization took over the administration of RIC after 20 years.
• RIC specifically applies to plastic, not glass, paper, or other recyclable materials.

Microplastics:

• Microplastics are plastic particles measuring less than five millimeters in diameter.
• Primary microplastics are tiny particles designed for commercial use, such as in cosmetics or textiles, while secondary microplastics result from the breakdown of larger plastic items.
• Microplastics persist in the environment, contaminating the food chain, water sources, and air, and posing health risks due to toxic chemicals they contain.

Decomposition Rate and Impact:

• Plastics have a slow decomposition rate, leading to their accumulation in natural ecosystems.
• Instead of breaking down into harmless substances, plastics fragment into smaller particles, contributing to the presence of microplastics.
• According to the most recent global estimates, an average human consumes at least 50,000 microplastic particles annually due to contamination of the food chain, potable water, and air.
• Microplastics contain toxic chemicals, with the biggest health risk being associated with BPA (Bisphenol A).
• BPA, used to harden plastic, contaminates food and drinks, leading to liver function alterations, insulin resistance, adverse effects on foetal development, reproductive system issues, and impacts on brain function.

Note:

• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) also known as the trash vortex, located in the North Pacific Ocean between California and Japan, is the largest accumulation of plastic waste, formed by converging ocean currents.

How Plastic is Converted into Fuel?

Pilot Scale Mobile Plant:

• An indigenously designed process has led to the development of a vehicle-mounted mobile plant.
• The plant converts various types of plastic waste into carbon-densified HC-Oil (Hydrocarbon Oil) through a low-stringent process named ICT-Poly Urja.
• ICT Poly Urja is developed by the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) Mumbai.
• The presence of a selective, recyclable, reusable, and inexpensive catalyst enables low-cost conversion of plastic waste into fuel.

ICT-Poly Urja Process:

• Different types of plastic waste, like bottles or packaging materials, are collected and sorted.
• A special substance called Cu@TiO2 catalyst is added to the plastic waste. This catalyst helps break down the plastic into smaller molecules.
• The mixture of plastic waste and catalyst is heated up under moderate conditions. This means it doesn't require extremely high temperatures.
• As the plastic waste is heated, it undergoes a chemical transformation called Catalytic Thermo Liquefaction (CTL). This process converts the plastic waste into a substance called Hydrocarbon Oil (HC-Oil).
• The resulting HC-Oil is a type of fuel that can be used for various purposes. It has a high energy content and can be burned to generate heat, steam, or even electricity.

Efficient and Mobile:

• The CTL process requires less energy compared to traditional methods like pyrolysis and gasification.
• Moderate operating conditions contribute to energy efficiency.
• The mobile plant mounted on a vehicle offers operational benefits.

Kosovo-Serbia Conflict

Context: Serbian protesters and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) peacekeepers recently clashed in Kosovo, leading to more than 60 injuries. It is the most serious violence seen in the region in over a decade.

What is the Cause for Current Tension?

• Northern Kosovo experiences frequent tensions stemming from the larger ethnic and political divide between ethnic Serbs and Albanians.
• Ethnic Serbs, who form a majority in northern Kosovo, attempted to block Albanian mayors from taking charge in local councils.
• Serbs boycotted local elections in April 2023, resulting in a low voter turnout of less than 3.5%. The election results were rejected by Serbs as illegitimate.

What is the Kosovo-Serbia Conflict About?

Geography:

• Serbia: Serbia is a landlocked country in eastern Europe that shares borders with Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.
• Kosovo: Kosovo is a small landlocked region that lies to Serbia’s southwest, sharing borders with North Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro. Many Serbs consider Kosovo the birthplace of their nation.
• Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s statehood.

Ethnic Background:

• Kosovo is a region where Serbs and Albanians, representing different ethnicities and religious backgrounds, have been living for centuries.
• 1.8 million people living in Kosovo, 92% are Albanian and only 6% Serbian. The rest are Bosniaks, Gorans, Turks and Roma.
• Serbs are primarily Eastern Orthodox Christians, while Albanians in Kosovo are predominantly Muslim. Other minority groups include Bosnians and Turks. Serbs form the majority in Serbia, while Albanians are the majority in Kosovo.

Battle Of Kososvo:

• Serbian nationalists view the 1389 Battle of Kosovo between the Serbian prince Lazar Hrebeljanovic and the Ottoman Sultan Murad Hudavendigar as a defining moment in their national struggle.
• On the other hand, Kosovo’s majority ethnic Albanians view Kosovo as belonging to them and accuse Serbia of occupation and repression.

Disintegration of Yugoslavia:

• From 1945 after the end of World War II to 1992, the area in the Balkans comprising present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia, was one country, officially known as the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) with Belgrade as its capital. Serbia included autonomous provinces of Kosovo and Vojvodina.
• Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia disintegrated, with each republic becoming an independent country.
• Slovenia was the first to secede in 1991.
• The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the weakening of the central government in Yugoslavia, accompanied by resurgent nationalism.
• Political leaders exploited nationalist rhetoric, eroding the common Yugoslav identity and fueling fear and mistrust among ethnic groups.
• In 1998, ethnic Albanian rebels formed the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to challenge Serbian rule.

Intervention of NATO:

• NATO intervened in 1999 after Serbia's brutal response, leading to a 78-day air campaign against Kosovo and Serbia.
• Serbia agreed to withdraw its forces from Kosovo, resulting in the return of Albanian refugees and the displacement of many Serbs who feared reprisals.
• In June 1999, Kosovo came under international administration, with its final status remaining unresolved. Several Serbian leaders, including President Milošević, were indicted for war crimes by the UN's tribunal.

What is the Current Status of Kosovo?

• While Kosovo declared independence in 2008, Serbia still considers it to be an integral part of Serbian territory.
• Countries such as India, China, and Russia do not recognise Kosovo as a separate country, while the US, the majority of EU countries, Japan and Australia do so.
• A total of 99 out of 193 United Nations (UN) countries now recognize Kosovo's independence.

What was India’s Stand on the Staus of Kosovo?

• India claims that Kosovo does not fulfill the three principles required for recognition: a defined territory, a duly constituted government accepted by the people, and effective control over an area of governance.
• India has opposed Kosovo's membership in international bodies such as UNESCO, Apostille Convention, Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, and Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.
• India's non-recognition of Kosovo is based on its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, with whom it has a long-standing relationship.

Addressing AMR in the Draft Pandemic Treaty

Context: The Draft Pandemic treaty also know as “Zero Draft”, is currently under negotiation by Member States at the World Health Assembly.

• However, there is growing concern that the provisions addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are at risk of being removed from the final text.
• Civil society and research organizations provided analysis and recommendations on addressing AMR.
• A special edition of the Journal of Medicine, Law and Ethics emphasized the importance of including AMR in the Treaty.

What is the Draft Pandemic Treaty?

About:

• The draft pandemic treaty, is an international agreement proposed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics and global health emergencies.
• It is being negotiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and member states.
• The treaty aims to strengthen global cooperation and solidarity in addressing health threats.
• It covers aspects such as surveillance, detection, notification, access to health technologies, collaboration, and accountability.
• The treaty is based on principles of human rights, equity, and solidarity, while respecting each state's sovereign right to determine its health policies.
• It establishes a global health threats council, a global health threats fund, and an independent review and evaluation mechanism.
• The draft pandemic treaty is a response to the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Principal Components of the Draft:

Global Cooperation:

• It calls for increased global coordination and cooperation in the preparation for and response to pandemics and other global health emergencies.
• Strengthening of Health Systems:
• It emphasizes the need to strengthen health systems in all countries, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to ensure they are better prepared to respond to pandemics and other global health emergencies.

Investment in Research and Development:

• It calls for improved access to essential health technologies, such as vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments, during pandemics and other global health emergencies.
• It calls for increased investment in research and development of health technologies, particularly for diseases that pose a significant threat to global health.

Transparency in Sharing of Information:

• It calls for increased transparency and sharing of information about pandemics and other global health emergencies, including data on the spread of diseases and the effectiveness of interventions.

Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS):

• The constitution of PABS has been constituted under the WHO, making Genomic sequences of all pathogens with the pandemic potential to be shared on an “equal footing” in the system.
• The PABS system is an important tool for ensuring the responsible and equitable use of pathogens and their genetic resources in the research and development of new medicines and vaccines, while also recognizing the rights and interests of the countries and communities that provide these resources.

Addressing Gender Disparities:

• In addressing gender disparities in the healthcare workforce, the draft aims to “ensure meaningful representation, engagement, participation and empowerment of all health and care workers” by stressing equal pay and addressing barriers specific to women in taking leadership roles.

Why is AMR Crucial in the Pandemic Treaty?

Reasons to Include:

• AMR is the process by which infections caused by microbes become resistant to the medicines developed to treat them.
• Microbes include bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites.
• Bacterial infections alone cause one in eight deaths globally.
• Not all pandemics are caused by viruses, and past pandemics have been caused by bacterial diseases.
• AMR is fueling the rise of drug-resistant infections, including drug-resistant tuberculosis, pneumonia and drug-resistant Staph infections (caused by bacteria called staphylococcus) such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
• Secondary bacterial/ fungal infections are a serious concern during viral pandemics, requiring effective antibiotics.
• Research from Northwestern University suggests that many of the deaths among hospitalized COVID-19 patients were associated with pneumonia — a secondary bacterial infection that must be treated with antibiotics.
• Black fungus is a fungal infection caused by Mucorales fungi, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals with conditions like COVID-19 or diabetes.

Impact of Excluding AMR Measures:

• Removal of AMR-related measures would hinder efforts to protect people from future pandemics.
• Measures at risk of removal include access to safe water, infection prevention, surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship.
• Antimicrobial stewardship is the effort to measure and improve how antibiotics are prescribed by clinicians and used by patients. It aims to improve clinical outcomes and minimize adverse events related to antibiotic use, including the development of antibiotic resistance.
• Weakening the language of the Treaty could allow countries to opt-out of preventive actions.

The Urgency of Addressing AMR in the Pandemic Treaty:

• AMR requires global political action and collaboration to mitigate its impact.
• Safeguarding antimicrobials is crucial for pandemic response and preparedness.
• Failing to address AMR in the pandemic treaty undermines its broader goals of protecting nations and communities from future health emergencies.

India-US Relations

Context: India and the United States have agreed to initiate negotiations for a 'Security of Supply' (SoS) arrangement and a 'Reciprocal Defence Procurement' (RDP) agreement, aiming to promote long-term supply chain stability and enhance security and defense cooperation between both countries.

• A SoS agreement is a bilateral or multilateral agreement between countries aimed at ensuring the availability and stability of critical supplies, particularly in the field of defense and security.
• An RDP agreement is a bilateral agreement between countries in the field of defense procurement. It is designed to facilitate reciprocal procurement of defense items and promote cooperation in research, development, and production of defense equipment.

What are the Key Highlights of the Agreement?

Assembling Electric Jets in India:

• Both sides discussed the deal for assembling General Electric GE-414 jets in India, which is yet to be finalized.

Defence Industrial Cooperation:

• The roadmap for 'Defence Industrial Cooperation' has been concluded between India and the US, guiding their policy direction for the next few years.
• Both countries will identify opportunities for co-development of new technologies and co-production of existing and new systems, promoting collaboration between defense start-up ecosystems.

Capacity Building and Infrastructure Development:

• Capacity building, including Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and strategic infrastructure development.
• Increase sourcing by US companies from India, particularly Boeing under the mega-civil aircraft deal with Air India.
• The establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities by US companies in India to cater to the equipment used by the Indian armed forces and the region.

US-India Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X):

• The US-India Business Council will launch the INDUS-X initiative to advance cutting-edge technology cooperation between US and Indian companies, investors, start-up accelerators, and academic research institutions.

How have been India’s Relations with the US?

About:

• The U.S.-India strategic partnership is founded on shared values including a commitment to democracy and upholding the rules-based international system.
• Both have shared interests in promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity.

Economic Relations:

• The U.S. has emerged as India's biggest trading partner in 2022-23 on account of increasing economic ties between the two countries.
• The bilateral trade between India and the U.S. has increased by 7.65% to USD 128.55 in 2022-23 as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22.
• Exports to the U.S. rose by 2.81% to USD 78.31 billion in 2022-23 as against USD 76.18 billion in 2021-22, while imports grew by about 16% to USD 50.24 billion.

International Cooperations:

• India and the United States cooperate closely at multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, G-20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
• The United States welcomed India joining the UN Security Council in 2021 for a two-year term and supports a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member.
• Together with Australia and Japan, the United States and India convene as the Quad to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific and provide tangible benefits to the region.
• India is also one of twelve countries partnering with the United States on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
• India is a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), at which the United States is a dialogue partner.
• In 2021, the United States joined the International Solar Alliance headquartered in India, and in 2022 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Way Forward

• The partnership between the two countries is critical for ensuring a free, open, and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region.
• The unparalleled Demographic Dividend provides enormous opportunities for the US and Indian firms for technology transfer, manufacturing, trade and investment.
• India is emerging as a leading player in an international system that is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. It shall use its present situation to explore opportunities to further its vital interests.

Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2023

Context: A recent report, titled "Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2023," was released through collaboration between the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency, United Nations Statistics Division, World Bank, and the WHO.

• The report highlights various challenges that hinder progress towards achieving United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7).

What are the Major Highlights of the Report?

Factors Hindering Achievement of SDG-7:

• Factors such as high inflation, uncertain macroeconomic outlook, debt distress, and limited financial flows have contributed to the world falling off-track in achieving SDG 7.
• The report identifies several major economic factors that hinder the realisation of SDG 7 worldwide:
• Uncertain macroeconomic outlook and high levels of inflation
• Currency fluctuations and debt distress in many countries
• Lack of financing and supply chain bottlenecks
• Tighter fiscal circumstances and soaring prices for materials

Progress Towards Specific Targets:

• Access to Electricity and Clean Cooking: Global access to electricity increased from 84% to 91% between 2010 and 2021, but annual growth has slowed.
• The number of people without electricity decreased from 1.1 billion in 2010 to 675 million in 2021.
• The goal of universal access to electricity by 2030 remains elusive.
• Access to Clean Cooking: It improved from 2.9 billion people in 2010 to 2.3 billion in 2021, but 1.9 billion people may still lack access by 2030.
• The report indicates that approximately 100 million people who recently transitioned to clean cooking may revert to traditional biomass usage.
• Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to have the highest number of people without access to clean cooking in 2030 (6 out of 10 people).
• Renewable Energy (Target 7.2): Renewable energy uptake has grown since 2010 but needs substantial scaling up.
• The share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption remains low at 19.1% (or 12.5% excluding traditional biomass).
• Meeting international climate and energy goals requires substantial investments of USD 1.4-1.7 trillion annually in renewable electricity generation and related infrastructure through 2030.
• Energy Efficiency (Target 7.3): The current rate of improvement in energy efficiency is not on track to double by 2030.
• The average annual growth of 1.8% falls short of the targeted increase of 2.6% per year between 2010 and 2030.
• International Public Financial Flows (Target 7.a): Financial flows supporting clean energy in developing countries have declined since 2020.
• Financial resources are more than a third lower than the average of the previous decade (2010-2019).
• The decreasing trend in financial flows is concentrated in a small number of countries, posing challenges for achieving SDG 7, particularly for least-developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states.

What is Sustainable Development Goal 7?

About:

• In 2015, all United Nations Member States came together to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to create a harmonious and prosperous future for both humanity and the planet.
• Central to this agenda are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serve as a pressing call for action to be embraced by all nations, regardless of their development status.

Background of SDGs:

• In June 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, more than 178 countries adopted Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan of action to build a global partnership for sustainable development to improve human lives and protect the environment.
• Member States unanimously adopted the Millennium Declaration at the Millennium Summit in September 2000 at UN Headquarters in New York.
• The Summit led to the elaboration of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce extreme poverty by 2015.

2015 was a landmark year for multilateralism and international policy shaping, with the adoption of several major agreements:

• Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (March 2015)
• Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development (July 2015)
• Paris Agreement on Climate Change (December 2015)

Current Status:

• Now, the annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development serves as the central UN platform for the follow-up and review of the SDGs.
• The Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) provides substantive support and capacity-building for the SDGs and their related thematic issues.

SDG 7:

• Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) calls for “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by 2030. It’s three core targets are the foundation for our work: By 2030:
  • Target 7.1: ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
  • Target 7.2: increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
  • Target 7.3: double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
  • Target 7.a: enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
  • Target 7.b: expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and land-locked developing countries.