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Global Biodiversity Framework Fund

Recently, during the 64th Global Environment Facility (GEF) council meeting in Brazil, the governing body granted approval for the allocation of USD 1.4 billion to expedite endeavors addressing the climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises.

• This marks the second work program within the GEF-8 funding period, spanning from 2022 to 2026.

The Key Highlights of the Meet

Global Biodiversity Framework Fund:

• The Governing board sanctioned the establishment of a novel fund, the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), designed to fund the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This fund assumes significance as nearly half of its resources will be dedicated to biodiversity-related initiatives during the GEF-8 period.

Fund Allocations:

• Allocation distribution includes 20% to Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs), 25% to GEF agencies, 36% to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and 3% to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The allocation for IPLCs will undergo review two years after ratification in August, while the allocations for SIDS and LDCs will be reassessed three years post-ratification.

What is the Global Environment Facility (GEF)?

Established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the GEF represents a collection of funds dedicated to addressing challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and pressures on land and ocean health. It operates under a unique governing structure, including an Assembly, the Council, the Secretariat, 18 agencies, a Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel, and the Evaluation Office.

Financial Assistance is provided for five major International Conventions, namely:

• The Minamata Convention on Mercury (signed in 2013 and entered into force in 2017).
• The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004).
• The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) (entered into force in 1993).
• The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (adopted in 1994).
• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (signed in 1992 and entered into force in 1994).

With 184 member countries, including India, its secretariat is based in Washington, D.C., and the World Bank serves as the GEF Trustee, administering the GEF Trust Fund, which comprises contributions from donors.

What is GEF Council?

• The Council, the GEF's main governing body, comprises 32 members appointed by constituencies of GEF member countries (14 from developed countries, 16 from developing countries, and two from economies in transition).
  • India has formed a permanent Constituency in the Executive Council of the GEF together with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives.
• Council members rotate at different intervals determined by each constituency.
• The Council meets twice annually.
• The Council develops, adopts and evaluates the operational policies and programs for GEF-financed activities.
  • It also reviews and approves the work program (projects submitted for approval), making decisions by consensus.

Unregulated Tourism In The Indian Himalayan Region

The Himalayan region, celebrated for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, confronts an urgent need to address sanitation challenges that have been overshadowed by concerns like illegal construction and a burgeoning influx of tourists.

• A recent analysis conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has brought attention to the precarious state of sanitation systems in Himalayan states.

Key Highlights from the Analysis:

• Water Supply and Wastewater Generation: According to Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin guidelines, each hill town typically receives around 150 liters per capita of water supply. Disturbingly, 65-70% of this water supply is transformed into wastewater.
• Challenges in Grey Water Management: In Uttarakhand, only 31.7% of households are connected to sewerage systems, leaving the majority reliant on on-site sanitation facilities. Many households and small hotels resort to using soak pits to manage grey water from bathrooms and kitchens. The presence of unlined open drains in some towns contributes to the unregulated flow of grey water, worsening its infiltration into the ground.
• Implications for Soil and Landslides: The Himalayan region's soil composition, encompassing clayey, loamy, and metamorphosed schist, phyllite, and gneiss rocks, is inherently fragile. The excessive seepage of water and wastewater into the ground, as noted in the analysis, has the potential to soften the soil and increase susceptibility to landslides.

What are the Other Challenges Associated with the Indian Himalayan Region?

About:

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is spread across 13 Indian States/Union Territories (namely Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Assam and West Bengal), stretching across 2500 km.

• Nearly 50 million people reside in this region, which is characterized by a diverse demographic, and versatile economic, environmental, social and political systems.
• With its towering peaks, majestic landscapes, rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, the IHR has long drawn visitors and pilgrims from the Indian sub-continent and across the world.
• Challenges:
• Environmental Degradation and Deforestation: The IHR faces extensive deforestation, which disrupts the delicate ecological balance.
• Rampant construction for infrastructure and urbanization leads to habitat loss, soil erosion, and disrupted water flow.
• Climate Change and Disasters: The IHR is highly sensitive to climate change. Rising temperatures lead to glacier retreat, altering the timing and availability of water resources for downstream communities.
• Erratic weather patterns, increased intensity of rainfall, and prolonged dry spells further impact ecosystems and local communities.
• The region is also highly susceptible to natural disasters like earthquakes, landslides, and flash floods.
  • Poorly planned development, lack of disaster-resilient infrastructure, and inadequate early warning systems amplify the impact of such events.
• Cultural and Indigenous Knowledge Erosion: The IHR is home to diverse indigenous communities with unique knowledge and practices that have sustained them for generations.
• However, modernization can lead to the erosion of these cultural traditions, which often contain valuable insights for sustainable resource management.

Way Forward

• Nature-Based Tourism: Develop sustainable and responsible tourism practices that generate income for local communities while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.
• This could involve promoting eco-tourism, enforcing carrying capacity limits, and raising awareness among tourists.
• Glacial Water Capture: Develop innovative methods to capture and store meltwater from glaciers during the summer months.
• This water can then be released gradually during dry periods, supporting both agricultural needs and downstream ecosystems.
• Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation: Develop comprehensive disaster management plans that address the unique risks of the region, including landslides, avalanches, and glacial lake outburst floods. Invest in early warning systems, evacuation plans, and community training.
• Greywater Recycling for Agricultural Enrichment: There is a need to Implement a greywater recycling system in IHR that collects and treats household greywater for agricultural use.
• The treated greywater could then be directed to local farms for irrigation, providing a sustainable source of water and nutrients to enhance crop growth.
• Bio-Cultural Conservation Zones: Designate specific areas as bio-cultural conservation zones, where both natural biodiversity and indigenous cultural practices are preserved. This can help maintain the intricate relationship between local communities and their environment.

Water Trading

India has reached the water-stressed benchmark in terms of per capita water availability, and there are projections that it could transition to a water-scarce scenario by 2050.

What is the issue?

• India's water resources are facing significant pressure, with over 80% of rainfall occurring during a four-month period each year. 
• Additionally, there is an uneven spatial distribution, as the Barak and Brahmaputra basins exhibit higher per capita water availability compared to the Ganga basin.

Introducing the Water Credit System:

• The water credit system involves transactions between entities facing water deficit and those with water surplus within a specific basin. It represents a fixed quantity of conserved or generated water. 
• This concept parallels carbon credits, but the water credit system is confined to hydrological boundaries, specifically river basins or watersheds.

Multiplayer Approach:

• In this system, industries have the opportunity to purchase water credits from water-rich municipalities. 
• These municipalities, often constrained by financial limitations, can utilize the funds for large-scale projects related to floodwater harvesting and wastewater treatment, contributing to water conservation efforts.

What is importance of water credit system?

• Australia – India should learn from global water trading successes like that of Australia, to lay a roadmap for water trading and also ensure water regulation by setting up related authorities.

The Murray-Darling basin in Australia is a great example of how water credit system works successfully.

• Chicago Mercantile Exchange – Participation in water credit system is seen from actual users such as farmers and municipalities and financial investors.
• Improved water quality – With the effective implementation and stringent regulatory standards, water trading also paves way for water quality standards.
• Recycling – It promotes growth in the recycle and reuse markets through the utilisation of heavy metals organics released in the water from both the industrial and agricultural sectors.
• Strengthen economic ties – The credit system can be used to highlight the water quality merits and strengthen economic relations both at a global as well as regional level.
• Reduce government’s burden – The system can reduce the burden of the government that releases funds towards mitigation as well as post-disaster events such as floods and droughts.
• Insurance – The markets can even insure irrigated and rain dependent agriculture against droughts by locking in water prices.

What are the drawbacks of the system?

• Dominance of Wealthy Institutions – One inherent flaw in the water credit system is its susceptibility to domination by a limited number of affluent institutions or sellers. Consequently, these wealthy sellers can manipulate the market dynamics by purchasing credits from those with fewer resources, perpetuating the misuse of shared water resources.
• Lack of Awareness – The market competition among sellers is further hindered by a general lack of awareness about the water credit concept.

What is the Path Forward?

• Limited Dialogue on Implementation – There has been a notable absence of robust discussions regarding the implementation of a water credit system thus far. India must proactively revise and embrace practices to broaden financial opportunities within the water sector.
• Anticipation of Opposition – There is a potential for opposition if water becomes a tradable commodity in India. In such a scenario, the establishment of a regulatory body becomes crucial to facilitate and effectively maintain free market conditions.

Agroforestry

The former Centrally Sponsored Scheme known as the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) has undergone restructuring and integration as a component within the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

• This innovative approach aligns with India's commitment to eco-friendly practices, particularly the promotion of natural farming, a chemical-free method rooted in integrated agriculture and animal husbandry.

Key Features of the Restructured Agroforestry Scheme Under RKVY:

Targeted Approach:

• The restructured scheme places a significant focus on promoting and ensuring the availability of Quality Planting Material (QPM) as a vital element in the field of agroforestry.
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Agroforestry Research Institute (CAFRI) plays a pivotal role as the nodal agency, offering technical support, capacity building, and guidance for establishing nurseries, as well as producing and certifying QPM.
• Production and certification of QPM receive distinctive priority under this scheme.

AICRP Centers:

• As part of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) centers on agroforestry, CAFRI collaborates with research centers nationwide to foster innovation, develop sustainable practices, and disseminate knowledge.

State Nodal Departments/Agencies:

• For effective implementation, each State/Union Territory designates a specific State Nodal Department/Agency.
• The State Nodal Department/Agency takes on the responsibility of ensuring the production and availability of QPM, either independently or through collaborations with various institutions and entities.

Free Distribution to Farmers/SHGs:

• QPM produced through this scheme is made accessible to farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), either free of cost or based on decisions made by respective States/UTs.

Key Components and Activities:

• Establishment of Nurseries for QPM Production
• Tissue Culture Lab for Quality Planting Material
• Skill Development and Awareness Campaign (up to 5% of allocation)
• Research & Development, Market Linking
• Project Management Unit (PMU) and Agroforestry Technical Support Group (TSG)
• Local Initiatives (up to 2% of Approved Annual Plan).

What are the Government Initiatives for Promoting Natural Farming?

• Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) Sub-Scheme: Launched under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2019-2020, this sub-scheme advocates chemical-free farming through an integrated approach that involves livestock and local resources, emphasizing biomass recycling and mulching.
• Namami Gange Program: As part of the PKVY scheme, the government is promoting chemical-free organic farming along the banks of the Ganga River. Since 2017-18, approximately 1.23 lakh hectares of land have been covered under this initiative.
• Expansion Along the Ganga Corridor: In 2022-23, the government approved Chemical-free Natural Farming for a 1.48 lakh hectare area in 5-km wide corridors along the Ganga River in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Compressed Bio-gas

The Energy Transition Advisory Committee (ETAC) recently published a document titled "The Green Shift: The Low Carbon Transition of India’s Oil and Gas Sector." This document underscores the imperative for India's energy transition and outlines diverse pathways to attain a low-carbon future, with a particular emphasis on the role of Compressed Biogas (CBG) in bridging this gap.

Biogas

• Biogas is a gas rich in energy that results from the anaerobic breakdown of biomass. It is generated from various waste and biomass sources such as agricultural residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid waste, and sewage treatment plant waste.
• As a renewable fuel, biogas primarily consists of methane (approximately 60%), carbon dioxide (around 40%), and small traces of hydrogen sulfide.

Compressed Biogas

• Biogas can be burned directly as a fuel or purified & upgraded by removing carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and compressed to make Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG).
• The CBG has methane content of more than 90%, which is similar to the commercially available natural gas in composition and energy potential.
• The purified biogas with more than 90% of methane can be compressed at 250 bar, and transported in gas cylinders (cascades) for the end use.
• CBG is exactly similar to commercially available natural gas in its composition and energy potential.
• With similar calorific value and other properties similar to CNG, compressed biogas can be used as an alternative, renewable automotive fuel.
• Given the abundance of biomass in the country, CBG has the potential to replace CNG in automotive, industrial and commercial uses in the coming years.

The government of India has set a target to increase the share of gas in the energy mix up to 15 percent in 2030 to make India a gas-based economy.

Benefits of Compressed Biogas (CBG)

The conversion of agricultural residue, cattle dung, and municipal solid waste into CBG on a commercial scale offers several advantages:

• Responsible Waste Management, Carbon Emission Reduction, and Pollution Mitigation.
• Additional Revenue Source for Farmers.
• Promotion of Entrepreneurship, Rural Economy Boost, and Employment Generation.
• Support for National Commitments in Achieving Climate Change Goals.
• Decrease in the Import of Natural Gas and Crude Oil.
• Buffer Against Fluctuations in Crude Oil/Gas Prices.

Scheme to Promote CBG in India: SATAT

• Launched in October 2018, the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative aims to establish 5000 Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants, producing 15 Million Metric Tons (MMT) per annum of CBG by 2023-24.
• Under this initiative, oil and gas marketing companies (OGMCs) such as Indian Oil, HPCL, BPCL, GAIL, and IGL have been soliciting expressions of interest (EoI) from potential investors/entrepreneurs for CBG procurement. Oil and gas companies are entering into 15-year commercial agreements for CBG procurement, with the possibility of extensions through mutual agreement.