Weekly Current Affairs (22nd to 31st May 2023) Part - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Custodial Torture

Context: Recently, two police officers were suspended on the charges of Custodial Torture(Violence), assaulting the accused in Police custody.

What is Custodial Torture?

About:

• Custodial torture is the infliction of physical or mental pain or suffering on a person who is in the custody of the police or other authorities.
• It is a grave violation of human rights and dignity and often leads to custodial deaths, which are deaths that occur while a person is in custody.

Types of Custodial Death:

• Death in Police Custody: Death in police custody can result from excessive force, torture, denial of medical care, or other forms of abuse.
• Death in Judicial Custody: Death in judicial custody may occur due to overcrowding, poor hygiene, lack of medical facilities, inmate violence, or suicide.
• Death in the Custody of Army or Paramilitary Forces: Can happen through torture, extrajudicial killings, encounters, or crossfire incidents.

Custodial Death in India:

• According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), a total of 146 cases of death in police custody were reported during 2017-2018,
• 136 in 2018-2019,
• 112 in 2019-2020,
• 100 in 2020-2021,
• 175 in 2021-2022.

In the last five years, the highest number of custodial deaths (80) has been reported in Gujarat, followed by Maharashtra (76), Uttar Pradesh (41), Tamil Nadu (40) and Bihar (38).

Challenges in Preventing Custodial Torture in India:

• Lack of ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), which India signed in 1997 but has not yet ratified.
  • This prevents India from being bound by international obligations and standards to prevent and combat custodial torture.

What are the Constitutional and Legal Framework Related Custodial Torture?

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, which includes the right to be free from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Article 20(1) states that no person shall be convicted of any offence, except those which are in contravention of the law in power at the commission of the Act. Thus, this law prohibits punishment above what is mentioned in the law that deals with the offence.
• Article 20(3) prohibits a person to be compelled to be a witness against himself. It is an extremely instrumental law as it protects the accused from giving confessions when the accused is coerced or tortured to do so.

Legal Protections:

• Section 24 Indian Evidence Act, 1872 declares that all the confessions made by the accused by succumbing to the threat, promise or inducement of investigating agencies would not be admissible in the court of law. This Section primarily works for preventing the accused to give confessions against his will.
• Section 330 and 331 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) criminalize voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to extort confession or information from any person.
• Section 41 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) was amended in 2009 to include safeguards under 41A, 41B, 41C and 41D, so that arrests and detentions for interrogation have reasonable grounds and documented procedures, arrests are made transparent to family, friends and public, and there is protection through legal representation.

What are the International Conventions for Human Rights?

International Human Rights Law, 1948:

• The International Human Rights Law contains a provision which protects people from torture and other enforced disappearances.

United Nation Charter, 1945:

• The United Nations Charter calls for treating prisoners with dignity. The Charter clearly states that despite being prisoners, their fundamental freedoms and human rights are set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The Nelson Mandela Rules, 2015:

• The Nelson Mandela Rules were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to treat prisoners with inherent dignity and to prohibit torture and other ill-treatment.

What Measures can be Taken to Combat Custodial Torture?

Strengthening Legal Systems:

• Enacting comprehensive legislation explicitly criminalizing custodial torture.
• Ensuring prompt and impartial investigations into allegations of custodial torture.
• Holding perpetrators accountable through fair and expeditious trials.

Police Reforms and Sensitization:

• Enhancing police training programs to emphasize respect for human rights and dignity.
• Promoting a culture of accountability, professionalism, and empathy within law enforcement agencies.
• Establishing oversight mechanisms to monitor and address cases of custodial torture effectively.

Empowering Civil Society and Human Rights Organizations:

• Encouraging civil society organizations to actively advocate for victims of custodial torture.
• Providing support and legal assistance to victims and their families.
• Collaborating with international human rights bodies and organizations to seek redress and justice.

Rohingya Refugees in India

Context: A recent report titled 'A Shadow of Refuge: Rohingya Refugees in India' sheds light on the challenges faced by Rohingya refugees in India.

• The report was jointly prepared by The Azadi Project, a women’s rights non-profit and Refugees International, an international NGO that advocates for the rights of stateless people

What is the Rohingya Crisis?

• The Rohingya people have suffered decades of violence, discrimination and persecution in Myanmar.
  • Rohingya are not recognized as an official ethnic group and have been denied citizenship since 1982. They are one of the largest stateless populations in the world.
• Since the early 1990's, the Rohingya have fled successive waves of violence in Myanmar.
  • Their largest and fastest exodus began in August 2017 when violence broke out in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, driving more than 742,000 people to seek refuge in neighbouring countries —the majority of whom were women and children.

What are the Concerns and Recommendations Outlined in the Report?

Concerns Related to Rohingya:

• Denied Exit Permissions for Resettlement: India's refusal to grant exit visas to Rohingya refugees who have completed refugee status determinations and gained approval for resettlement in third countries is a significant concern.
• Stigmatisation and Anti-Refugee Sentiment: The Rohingya refugees in India face various challenges, including being labelled as "illegal migrants" . This stigmatisation not only hampers their integration into society but also places them at risk of being deported back to Myanmar, where they fled from a genocidal regime.
• Fear of Deportation: Actual and threatened deportations have instilled a sense of fear within the Rohingya community, compelling some to return to camps in Bangladesh. International conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, obligate India not to return the Rohingya to Myanmar. However, the Supreme Court has accepted the government's arguments regarding national security threats, allowing deportations to proceed.
• Harsh Living Conditions: The report details the dire living conditions of Rohingya refugees in India, residing in slum-like settlements without safe running water, toilets, or access to basic healthcare and education. Without valid travel documents, obtaining an Aadhaar card for essential services such as school admissions has become impossible.

Recommendations:

• Formal Recognition and Domestic Laws: India should formally recognize Rohingya refugees as individuals with a right to asylum rather than as illegal migrants.
• Signing the 1951 Refugee Convention and establishing domestic laws on refugees and asylum can be the crucial steps to achieve this.
• Acknowledgment of Residency: India can recognize UNHCR cards as sufficient for accessing basic education, work, and health services.
• UNHCR cards refer to identification documents issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to individuals who have been recognized as refugees or asylum seekers.
• UNHCR is the United Nations agency responsible for protecting and supporting refugees worldwide.
• UNHCR cards serve as proof of the individual's status as a refugee or asylum seeker and may grant them certain rights and access to services in the country where they reside.
• Global Credibility and National Security: Treating refugees better would enhance India's global credibility and serve national security interests by documenting new arrivals and discouraging them from remaining under the radar.
• The report suggests that India can play a proactive role in facilitating resettlement opportunities for Rohingya refugees by advocating for their acceptance in ally countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, and other European nations.

What can be the Reasons behind India's Decision not to Sign the 1951 Refugee Convention?

• Issue with Definition of Refugee: According to the 1951 convention, refugees are defined as people who have been deprived of their civil and political rights, but not their economic rights.
  • If the violation of economic rights were to be included in the definition of a refugee, it would clearly pose a major burden on the developed world.
• Sovereignty Concerns: Countries may be reluctant to sign international agreements that they believe could compromise their sovereignty or interfere with their domestic policies and decision-making processes.
  • By not signing the convention, India retains the freedom to implement its own refugee policies.
• Limited Resources: India is one of the most populous countries in the world and already faces significant challenges in providing basic services and resources to its own population.
  • Signing the convention might result in increased responsibilities and resource burdens related to the protection and support of refugees.
• Regional Dynamics: India is located in a region that has been historically affected by various conflicts and displacement situations.
  • The country has faced influxes of refugees from neighbouring countries, due to the porous nature of borders in South Asia.
  • However, India is still bound by other international human rights treaties and customary international law principles.

What is the Current Legislative Framework in India to Handle Refugees?

• India treats all foreigners whether illegal immigrants, refugees/asylum seekers or those overstaying visa permits under
• Foreigners Act of 1946: Under Section 3, the central government is empowered to detect, detain and deport illegal foreign nationals.
• Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920: Under Section 5, authorities can remove an illegal foreigner by force under Article 258(1) of the Constitution of India.
• Registration of Foreigners Act of 1939: Under this, there is a mandatory requirement under which all foreign nationals (excluding overseas citizens of India) visiting India on a long-term visa (more than 180 days) are required to register themselves with a Registration Officer within 14 days of arriving in India.
• Citizenship Act, 1955: It provided provisions for renunciation, termination, and deprivation of citizenship.
• Further, Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA) seeks to provide citizenship to Hindu, Christian, Jain, Parsi, Sikh, and Buddhist immigrants persecuted in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• India issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed by all concerned agencies while dealing with foreign nationals who claim to be refugees.

G7 Summit: Climate Goals, Gandhi Statue & Quad Climate Initiatives

Context: During the recent 49th G7 summit, member countries had outlined key milestones in their climate Wishlist in response to ongoing studies and reports that continue to raise alarms about the worsening state of climate change, urging immediate action.

• Furthermore, at the same summit, the Prime Minister of India unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima, Japan.
• Additionally, the Quad Leaders' Summit also took place on the sidelines of the G7 summit, emphasizing shared democratic values, strategic interests, and initiatives for the Indo-Pacific region.

What are the Main Climate Wishlist of the G7?

Global Peak in Emissions by 2025:

• The G7 emphasized the need for a global peak in emissions by 2025.
• While this is not mandated under the Paris Agreement, achieving it is not implausible.
• Developed countries are witnessing a decline in emissions, although not at the required pace while developing countries' emissions are still increasing.
• If all countries only fulfill their existing commitments, emissions in 2030 would be about 11% higher than 2010 levels.

Ending Fossil Fuel Use:

• The G7 does not set a specific deadline for ending fossil fuel use but commits to accelerating the phase-out of "unabated fossil fuels" in line with 1.5 degree Celsius trajectories.
• They aim to eliminate "inefficient fossil fuel subsidies" by 2025 or earlier without specifying the definition of "inefficient subsidies."
• The G7 countries claim to have stopped financing new fossil fuel-based energy projects, except in limited circumstances.

Net-Zero Targets:

• The G7 reiterates its commitment to achieve net-zero status by 2050 and urges other major economies to do the same.
• The world as a whole must become net-zero by mid-century to meet the 1.5-degree Celsius target.
• China aims for net-zero by 2060, while India has set 2070 as its target.
• Post-2050 targets of major developing countries may change with evolving technologies and cleaner energy adoption.

What are the Challenges in Implementing the G7 Climate Wishlist?

Insufficient Action and Inconsistencies:

• G7 countries account for 20% of global emissions but have not effectively fulfilled their pledges.
• Lack of sufficient and consistent actions to align with the 1.5-degree Celsius and 2-degree Celsius temperature goals.
• G7 member countries Failure to update nationally determined contributions (NDCs) . Paris Agreement targets.

Inadequate Climate Finance Support:

• G7 countries have been slow and insufficient in providing climate finance to developing nations agreed under the Paris Agreement targets.
• Developing countries, disproportionately affected by climate impacts, require support for adaptation and resilience.
• Oxfam reports that only 20% of climate finance from rich countries in 2019 was allocated for adaptation, with minimal reaching least developed countries.

Continued Reliance on Fossil Fuels:

• Criticism directed at the G7 countries for their ongoing dependence on fossil fuels, particularly coal.
• Fossil fuels, especially coal, are highly carbon-intensive energy sources exacerbating climate change.
• Oil Change International highlights that G7 countries provided significant public finance for fossil fuels, surpassing investments in clean energy.

Why did the PM of India Unveil Gandhi’s Bust in Hiroshima?

• Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most influential leaders of the twentieth century, who championed the principles of non-violence, peace, justice and human dignity. His statue was unveiled at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park , as a tribute to his legacy and a reminder of his relevance in today's world.
• The symbolic gesture was meant to highlight the shared commitment of the G7 and its partners to prevent another nuclear catastrophe and to pursue nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
• It was also meant to acknowledge the suffering and resilience of the Hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
• The statue was also seen as a recognition of India's role and contribution to global peace and security, as well as its partnership with Japan on various issues, including climate change.
• The unveiling ceremony was attended by the G7 leaders, as well as the Prime Minister of India, who was invited as a guest to the summit along with other leaders from Australia, South Korea, and South Africa.

What Were the Outcomes of the Quad Leaders' Summit?

• The Quad Leaders' Summit was held on May 23, 2023, on the sidelines of the G7 summit. It was attended by the Prime Minister of India, President Joe Biden of the US, Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan.
• The Quad is an informal strategic dialogue among four democracies that share common interests and values in the Indo-Pacific region.
• One of the key areas of cooperation among the Quad members is climate change. The leaders issued a joint statement that reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement and its full implementation.
• They also announced several initiatives to enhance collaboration on clean energy transition, innovation, adaptation, and resilience. Some of these initiatives are:
  • Launching a new Quad Climate Working Group to coordinate their efforts on domestic and international climate policies.
  • Establishing a Quad Clean Energy Partnership to support the deployment of clean energy technologies in Indo-Pacific countries through technical assistance, capacity building, and financing mechanisms.
  • Supporting a Quad Green Shipping Network to promote decarbonization of maritime transport through information sharing, best practices, and standards development.
  • Expanding cooperation on disaster risk reduction and management through joint exercises, training, and information sharing.
  • Supporting nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation through the conservation and restoration of ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and mangroves.

What is the Group of Seven (G7)?

• It is an intergovernmental organization that was formed in 1975.
• The bloc meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
• The G7 countries are the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US.
• All the G7 countries and India are a part of G20.
• The G7 does not have a formal charter or a secretariat. The presidency, which rotates among member countries each year, is in charge of setting the agenda. Sherpas, ministers and envoys hammer out policy initiatives before the summit.
• The 49th G7 summit was held in Hiroshima, Japan.

What is QUAD?

• It is the grouping of four democracies –India, Australia, the US, and Japan.
• All four nations find a common ground of being democratic nations and also support the common interest of unhindered maritime trade and security.
• The Quad is billed as four democracies with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open, and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.
• The idea of Quad was first mooted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007. However, the idea couldn’t move ahead with Australia pulling out of it, apparently due to Chinese pressure.
• Finally in 2017, India, Australia, the US and Japan, came together and formed this “quadrilateral” coalition.

RBI to Withdraw Rs 2,000 Notes from Circulation

Context: On May 19, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it will withdraw the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation.

• While the existing notes will remain legal tender. The RBI has provided a generous timeframe, allowing individuals to deposit or exchange the notes until September 30, 2023.
• This move is part of the RBI's Clean Note Policy, which aims to provide the public with high-quality currency notes and coins with improved security features.

Why did the RBI Withdraw the 2000 Rupees Notes?

Withdrawal of 2000 Rupee Note:

• The RBI said that the withdrawal of the 2000 rupees notes is part of its currency management operations.
• The Rs 2000 banknotes were introduced in 2016 to meet the immediate currency requirements after the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes during the demonetization exercise.
• With an adequate supply of other denominations available, the printing of Rs 2000 notes was stopped in 2018-19, as the initial objective of expediting the currency requirement was achieved.
• As of March 31, 2023, the value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation has decreased to Rs 3.62 lakh crore, constituting only 10.8% of the total notes in circulation.
• The last time India demonetised currency was in November 2016 when the government withdrew 500 and 1000 rupees notes in an effort to remove forgeries from circulation.
• The move took away 86% of the economy's currency in circulation by value overnight.

Exchanging and Depositing Rs 2000 Notes:

• The exchange limit for Rs 2000 banknotes is set at Rs 20,000 at a time. Non-account holders can also exchange these banknotes at any bank branch.
• Deposits into bank accounts can be made without limitations, subject to compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and other applicable regulations.

Impact:

• The RBI governor stated that the impact of withdrawal of 2000 rupees notes will be "very very marginal" on the economy because it accounts for only 10.8% of currency in circulation.
• The withdrawal will not cause disruption "either in normal life or in the economy" as there is an adequate stock of banknotes in other denominations.
• Some economists said that the withdrawal of the higher-value note is "a sensible form of demonetization" and could boost bank deposits at a time of high credit growth.
• The withdrawal could ease the pressure on deposit rate hikes and could also result in moderation in short-term interest rates and would help to curb black money and corruption.

What is RBI’s Clean Note Policy?

• The Clean Note Policy focuses on providing the public with currency notes and coins that have enhanced security features while withdrawing soiled or old notes from circulation.
• A ‘soiled note’ means a note which has become dirty due to normal wear and tear and also includes a two piece note pasted together wherein both the pieces presented belong to the same note and form the entire note with no essential feature missing.
• The RBI had withdrawn all banknotes issued before 2005 due to their fewer security features as compared to banknotes printed after 2005. However, these older notes are still legal tender and have been withdrawn to align with international practices.

What is Demonetization in India?

About:

• Demonetization is the act of stripping a currency unit of its status as legal tender. The current form or forms of money is pulled from circulation and retired, often to be replaced with new notes or coins.

Legality in India:

• The legal basis for demonetization in India is Section 26(2) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, which empowers the central government to declare any series of banknotes as ceasing to be legal tender by notification in the Official Gazette, on the recommendation of RBI.
• The legality of demonetization was challenged in several petitions filed in various courts across India.
• However, the Supreme Court upheld the demonetisation as valid and stated that demonetisation of currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 satisfied the test of proportionality.
• The test of proportionality refers to whether the benefits of demonetisation outweigh the costs.
• To satisfy the test of proportionality, the benefits of demonetisation must be significant enough to justify the costs and disruptions that it may cause.

Advantages:

• Stabilization of Currency: Demonetization has been used as a tool to stabilize the currency and fight inflation, facilitate trade, curb counterfeiting and access to markets, and push informal economic activity into more transparency and away from black and gray markets.
• Curbing Black Money: The government argued that demonetization would flush out the black money or unaccounted income held in cash by tax evaders, corrupt officials, criminals and terrorists.
• This would increase the tax base and revenue of the government and reduce corruption and crime in the country.
• Promotes Digitization: It also encourages digitisation of commercial transactions, formalizes the economy and so, boosts government tax revenues. It also improves transparency, efficiency and convenience in the payment system and reduces the cost of printing and managing currency.
• The formalization of the economy means bringing companies under the regulatory regime of government and subject to laws related to manufacturing and income tax.

Disadvantages:

• Temporary Slowdown: The conversion process during demonetization can lead to a temporary slowdown in economic activity.
  • The disruption caused by the sudden withdrawal of old currency and the limited availability of new currency can hamper business transactions, consumer spending, and overall economic productivity.
• Administrative Cost: Implementing demonetization involves substantial administrative costs. Printing new currency notes, recalibrating ATMs, and disseminating information about the changes can be expensive.
  • These costs are typically borne by the government, which can strain public finances and divert resources from other essential sectors or public welfare programs.
• Impact on Cash Driven Sectors: Cash-driven sectors, such as retail, hospitality, and small businesses, can suffer significantly during demonetization.
  • Small businesses, especially those operating on thin profit margins, may struggle to adapt to the new payment systems, resulting in reduced sales, layoffs, and, in extreme cases, business closures.

What is Legal Tender in India?

About:

• A legal tender is a form of currency that is recognised by law as an acceptable means for settling debts or obligations .
• RBI is responsible for determining which forms of currency are considered valid for transactions.
• It consists of coins issued by the Government of India under Section 6 of The Coinage Act, 2011, and banknotes issued by the Reserve Bank of India under Section 26 of the RBI Act, 1934.
• Govt issues all coins upto ₹ 1,000, and 1 Rupee Note.
• RBI issues currency notes other than ₹ 1 Note.

Types:

• Legal tender can be limited or unlimited in character.
  • In India, coins function as limited legal tender. Coins with denominations equal to or higher than one rupee can be used as legal tender for amounts up to one thousand rupees.
  • Additionally, fifty paise (half a rupee) coins can be used as legal tender for amounts up to ten rupees.
• Banknotes function as unlimited legal tender for any amount stated on them.
  • However, A new Section 269ST was added to the Income Tax Act as a result of the measures taken by the Finance Act 2017 to curb black money.
  • A cash transaction was restricted by Section 269ST and was only allowed to be worth up to Rs. 2 Lakh per day.

Economics of Climate Change in India

Context: Over the past months there have been several stories about how extreme weather events have disrupted normal life in India. The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 had ranked India 7th in the list of most affected countries in terms of exposure and vulnerability to climate risk events.

• Climate change being one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century poses significant risks not only to the environment, human health and food security, but also economic development.

How does Climate Change Affect India’s Macroeconomy?

About:

• Climate change can adversely affect both the supply side (the productive potential) and the demand side (the consumption and investment) of the economy.
• It can also have spillover effects across regions and sectors, as well as cross-border impacts and contagion risks.

Impacts:

• Reduced Agricultural Output: Climate change can severely disrupt crop cycles and cause low agricultural yield due to changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, pest infestation, soil erosion, water scarcity, and extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.
  • Agriculture, with its allied sectors, is the largest source of livelihood in India and contributes significantly to the economy. Low yields can hit the rural economy and push inflation in urban areas as well.
• Disruption of the Fisheries Sector: Rising sea surface temperatures due to climate change can disrupt the distribution and behaviour of fish species.
  • Some species may move to cooler waters or shift their migratory patterns, affecting the availability of fish in certain regions. This can lead to changes in fish catch composition and abundance, impacting the livelihoods of fishermen.
• Increased Health Costs: Climate change can increase the incidence and severity of diseases such as malaria, dengue, cholera, heat stroke, respiratory infections, and mental stress.
  • It can also affect the nutrition and well-being of vulnerable groups such as children, women, elderly, and poor. Health costs can reduce disposable income, lower labour productivity, and increase public expenditure.
  • According to the WHO, between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 2,50,000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress.
• Damaged Infrastructure: Climate change can damage physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, railways, ports, airports, power plants, water supply systems, and buildings due to sea level rise, coastal erosion, landslides, storms, floods, and heat waves.
  • Damaged infrastructure can disrupt economic activity, trade, and connectivity and increase maintenance and replacement costs.
  • For instance, India spent USD 3 bn of economic damage caused by floods in the last decade which is 10% of the global economic loss.
• Reduced Industrial Output: Climate change can increase operational costs and reduce profits in the industrial sector due to factors such as new climate-friendly regulations, reduced utilisation of old stock, relocation of production processes and activities due to climate-related losses.
  • India could contribute to 34 million out of 80 million global job losses due to heat stress-associated productivity decline by 2030.
• Energy Crisis: According to the the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s primary energy demand will double by 2030.
  • Energy and climate share a distinctive relationship such that rising temperatures demand a surge in energy usage to assist the process of mitigating the heat effects.
• Impact on Financial Services: Climate change can put pressure on financial services due to increased credit risk for banks and financial institutions. It can affect borrowers' ability to repay loans due to climate-related events such as floods, hurricanes, or droughts.
  • These events can damage properties, disrupt supply chains, and impact businesses' profitability, potentially leading to loan defaults and credit losses.
  • It can also increase insurance claims and disrupt travel and hospitality services due to reduced demand, cancellations, and safety concerns.

What are India’s Initiatives to Tackle Climate Change?

Panchamrit: India has presented the following five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action:

• Reach 500 GW Non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
• 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
• Reduction of total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes from now to 2030.
• Reduction of the carbon intensity of the economy by 45% by 2030, over 2005 levels.
• Achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070.

National Action Plan on Climate Change:

• It aims at creating awareness among the representatives of the public, different agencies of the government, scientists, industry and the communities on the threat posed by climate change and the steps to counter it.

What More can India do to Combat the Impacts of Climate Change?

• Enhancing Carbon Sequestration: India can enhance its carbon sequestration potential by expanding its forest and tree cover, restoring degraded lands, promoting agroforestry, and adopting low-carbon farming practices.
  • Carbon sequestration can not only offset emissions but also provide multiple co-benefits such as biodiversity conservation, soil fertility improvement, water security, livelihood support, and disaster risk reduction.
• Building Climate Resilience: India can build its climate resilience by strengthening its disaster management systems, improving its early warning and forecasting capabilities, investing in climate-proof infrastructure, developing climate-smart agriculture, enhancing health care services, and empowering local communities and institutions.
• Driving India's Green Transportation Revolution: There is a need to promote electric vehicles (EVs) by establishing a robust charging infrastructure network and offering incentives for EV adoption.
  • Introducing innovative public transportation solutions such as electric buses, shared mobility services, and smart traffic management systems can reduce congestion and emissions.
• Climate Smart Agriculture: There is a need to encourage sustainable farming practices by promoting organic farming, agroforestry, and precision agriculture.
  • Integrating technology-driven solutions such as remote sensing, IoT devices, and AI-based analytics can optimise resource utilisation, reduce water consumption, and enhance crop productivity.