Ramesh Singh Summary: Sustainability and Climate Change: India and The World- 2 | Indian Economy for UPSC CSE PDF Download

In August 2022, the Government introduced the Battery Waste Management Rules to ensure proper handling of waste batteries.
Battery Waste Management 

1. The rules cover various types of batteries, including electric vehicle batteries, portable batteries, automotive batteries, and industrial batteries.

2. These rules replace the existing Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules from 2001.

3. The aim is to promote a circular economy in the management of waste batteries.

4. The rules operate on the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), where producers (including importers) of batteries are responsible for collecting and recycling or refurbishing waste batteries.

5. The EPR mandates that all waste batteries must be collected and sent for recycling or refurbishment, explicitly prohibiting disposal in landfills or through incineration.

6. The ultimate goal is to recover materials from waste batteries and use them in creating new batteries, contributing to a more sustainable approach in handling battery waste.

In November 2022, the Government introduced new E-Waste (Management) Rules, which will replace the existing rules from 2016.
E-waste types
These rules will come into effect from April 2023 and aim to establish a new system for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in e-waste recycling. The key features of these rules include:

1. Applicability: The rules apply to every manufacturer, producer, refurbisher, dismantler, and recycler in the e-waste industry, who must register online with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

2. EPR Regime: A total of 106 Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) have been included under the EPR regime.

3. Annual Recycling Targets: Producers of notified EEE are given annual recycling targets based on the generation from previously sold items or based on sales of EEE.

4. Computation of Recycled Quantity: The recycled quantity will be computed based on end-products to avoid false claims.

5. Environmental Compensation and Verification: Provisions for environmental compensation and verification and audit have been introduced.
   E-waste management 

6. EPR Certificate: A provision for the generation and transaction of EPR Certificates has been introduced.

7. Substance Control: Producers are required to ensure that their products do not contain lead, mercury, and other hazardous substances beyond the maximum prescribed concentration.

8. Worker Safety and Health: Recognition and registration, skill development, monitoring, and ensuring the safety and health of workers involved in dismantling and recycling e-waste are emphasized.

These rules aim to create a more comprehensive and responsible framework for the management and recycling of e-waste, encouraging environmentally friendly practices and substance control.

India understands the imperative need for sustainability, considering it an undeniable concern for humanity. The National Agenda of Development, formulated by Niti Aayog, aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing a balance among the economic, social, and environmental pillars of development.
 India's future concerns and performance commitments are outlined below:

1. Emissions Reduction:

   • India has successfully reduced emissions intensity of GDP by 21% during 2005-14 and is on track to achieve further emission reduction goals.

   •  The target of 175 GW for renewables by 2022 is expected to contribute significantly to this effort.

2. Forest and Tree Cover:

   • Despite ongoing developmental efforts, India is among the few countries where the forest and tree cover is considerably increasing. 

   • As of 2019, it has reached 80.73 million hectares, constituting 24.50% of the geographical area. The total carbon stock in forests has also increased to 7,124.6 million tons.

3. Environmental Concerns:

   • Challenges persist in the form of agriculture crop residue burning and construction and demolition (C&D) waste.

   •  The Delhi PPP model in C&D waste management serves as a model for other states and cities, aligning with the Swachh Bharat Mission and supporting SDGs.

4. Financial Constraints:

   • Scarce financial resources remain a significant constraint despite efforts from various stakeholders.

   • Developed countries are urged to honor their financial obligations and promises under multilateral environmental agreements, recognizing their historical benefit from carbon emissions.

5. Technology Transfer: Development and transfer of technology at affordable costs are crucial for developing countries to effectively address sustainability challenges.

6. Climate Action and Net Zero Target:
   

   • With India's commitment to becoming Net Zero by 2070, climate finance becomes critical for successful action.

   • Advanced countries setting examples of effective policies and behavioral changes in their own context can pave the way for similar success in developing countries with suitable adaptation.

India emphasizes the importance of collaborative global efforts, financial support, and technology transfer for a sustainable future, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic goals.

Hardly anything makes economic sense unless we can project its continuation for a long time without encountering problems. Growth and development can happen up to a certain point, but it cannot go on endlessly.

How can the finite Earth meet mankind's unlimited physical needs?
This idea, proposed by the 'Club of Rome' in 1972, was also talked about by Gandhi in the 1930s: 'Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not for every man's greed.' It's crucial for humanity to think about not only its current needs but also how those needs are being met.

Additionally, we need to distinguish between our basic needs and our desires. Our physical needs are directly connected to the resources we have to fulfill them. To survive and thrive, we must be conscious of the impact of our actions on Mother Nature. Humanity should be smarter not only in choosing the tools for development but also in defining the goals of development.