The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 12th February 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

A role for India in South-South climate cooperation

Why is it Newsworthy?

• COP29 took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, focusing on crucial issues like climate finance and Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, which pertains to the trade of carbon credits. 
•  India, being a major emitter of greenhouse gases, aims to utilize Article 6.2 to gain financial and technological support while trying to balance its developmental needs with climate objectives. 

Importance of COP29 and Article 6.2

•  COP29 has been dubbed the ‘Climate Finance COP’ because of its emphasis on implementing key components of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. 
•  Article 6 is crucial for establishing market mechanisms that assist countries, especially those with limited resources, in transitioning towards a carbon-neutral economy. 
•  A significant aspect of this article, Article 6.2, facilitates the concept of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs). This mechanism allows countries to transfer emissions reductions between one another. 
•  This system is particularly beneficial for developing nations as it enables them to secure essential financial, technological, and capacity-building support from developed countries. Such support is vital for these nations to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

India’s Stance on Article 6.2

•  India, ranking as the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, faces the challenge of balancing its developmental needs with climate commitments, especially given its financial limitations. 
•  The country has pledged to reduce its emissions intensity by 45% by 2030, but this goal necessitates significant financial and technical assistance. 
•  Prior to COP29, India emphasized the need for developed nations to mobilize at least $1 trillion annually for climate finance to support these efforts. 

India’s Domestic Carbon Market and Previous Experience

•  In 2023, India introduced the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), aiming to incorporate market mechanisms into its national policies for carbon credit trading. 
•  Although the CCTS is not directly associated with Article 6.2, it enhances India’s framework for the transparent tracking and verification of carbon credits. 
•  India has a history of engaging with various carbon market initiatives, including: 
• Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
• Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM)
• Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts)
• Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)
•  This prior experience positions India favorably for participating in ITMO transactions under Article 6.2. 

Areas of Collaboration for India under Article 6.2

•  India has pinpointed 14 key activities for potential international collaboration under Article 6.2, aiming to attract expertise and investments in areas such as: 
• Renewable Energy (RE)
• Energy storage
• Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
• Green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel
•  These projects necessitate advanced technological expertise and significant investments, which India is looking to secure through partnerships with countries like South Korea, the European Union, and Japan.
•  Engaging in ITMO transactions will not only assist India in achieving its NDCs but also foster the creation of green jobs and mitigate health issues related to pollution. 

India’s Opportunities

• South-South Cooperation: India can play a proactive role in supporting climate finance initiatives in developing countries, moving beyond reliance on developed nations for assistance. 
• Renewable Energy Expansion: India’s renewable energy sector has seen significant foreign direct investment, exceeding $10 billion in 2022. ITMO transactions have the potential to further amplify such investments, not only within India but also in other developing nations. 
• India-Africa Collaboration: Africa is endowed with immense renewable energy potential and faces pressing climate challenges. India can leverage its expertise in green technology to assist African countries in harnessing their renewable resources effectively. 
• Balanced Partnerships: ITMO transactions will be governed by mutual agreements, ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of benefits. India can consider adopting models similar to Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) to facilitate transparent and just carbon credit sharing arrangements. 

Challenges for India in ITMO Transactions

• Risk of Over-reliance by Developed Nations: There is a concern that developed countries might exploit India’s cost-effective emissions reductions without making significant efforts to lower their own carbon footprints. This could inadvertently place a greater burden on India. 
• Opportunity Costs: Selling ITMOs could restrict India’s ability to utilize these credits for its own climate objectives, potentially hindering its progress in meeting domestic targets. 
• Transparency and Governance Issues: Weak governance and transparency mechanisms could lead to inefficiencies and inequitable outcomes in ITMO agreements. It is crucial to establish robust rules to ensure fair benefit-sharing among parties involved. 
• Need for Safeguards: ITMO agreements should incorporate strong safeguards to protect India’s interests. This includes ensuring transparency, fair benefit distribution, and alignment with India’s economic and climate priorities. 

In Summary

• Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement presents India with substantial prospects to secure climate finance, enhance renewable energy initiatives, and bolster South-South cooperation. 
•  Strategic partnerships with both developed and developing nations can accelerate the deployment of green technologies and contribute to economic sustainability. 
•  However, it is imperative for India to navigate the associated challenges carefully. This includes ensuring that ITMO transactions do not undermine its own climate objectives while maximizing the financial and technological benefits derived from such agreements. 

Addressing the growing threat of forest fires

Why in News?

Recent wildfires in Los Angeles have underscored the critical need for improved fire prevention and management strategies.

Rising Concerns Over Forest Fires

• Forest fires tend to gain attention only after significant incidents occur, despite their growing frequency and devastating consequences.
• These fires serve as a stark reminder that no area is exempt from the threat, highlighting the urgent need for long-term solutions.

Forest Fires in India: A Worsening Situation

• According to the Forest Survey of India, over 36% of India’s forest cover is susceptible to fires.
• The incidence of forest fires has escalated tenfold in the last two decades, while the overall forest cover has only increased by 1.12%, as reported by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water.
• States such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Karnataka are particularly vulnerable to these fires.

Major Causes of Forest Fires

• Nearly 90% of forest fires in India are triggered by human activities, including:
• Land clearing
• Slash-and-burn agriculture
• Unattended campfires
• Climate change exacerbates the situation by raising temperatures and prolonging dry seasons, making forests more susceptible to fires.

Devastating Consequences of Forest Fires

Environmental Impact:

• Forest fires ravage trees, wildlife, and biodiversity.
• They contribute significantly to carbon emissions, with Indian forest fires releasing 69 million tonnes of CO₂ each year, according to the World Resources Institute.
• Fires disrupt the water cycle and degrade soil fertility.

Economic Impact:

• The loss of timber and other forest products adversely affects communities dependent on forests.
• Forest degradation, including that caused by fires, results in an annual economic loss of ₹1.74 lakh crore, as reported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2018.

Social Impact:

• Fires drive wildlife into human habitats, leading to increased human-wildlife conflicts.
• They jeopardize the livelihoods of local communities that rely on forests for their resources.

Existing Policies and Initiatives

• The National Action Plan on Forest Fires and the Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFPMS) support states in managing forest fires.
• The FFPMS offers financial assistance to states for fire prevention efforts.

Challenges in Forest Fire Management

Budget Constraints:

• Funding for the FFPMS has varied over the years, with allocations such as: ₹46.40 crore in 2019-20, ₹28.25 crore in 2022-23, and a projected ₹51 crore for 2023-24, which was later adjusted to ₹40 crore.
• There is a need for more consistent financial support to ensure effective fire management.

Technological Limitations:

• The existing Forest Fire Alert System faces challenges in distinguishing between forest fires and other types of fires, leading to delays in response.
• Implementing advanced predictive models that utilize climatic and geographic data can aid in identifying high-risk areas.
• Utilizing drones equipped with thermal imaging can enhance monitoring and firefighting capabilities.

Strengthening Community Involvement

• Local communities are vital in reporting and managing forest fires.
• Improving early warning systems through mobile applications, toll-free helplines, and SMS alerts can enhance community involvement.
• Initiatives like women’s self-help groups collecting dry pine needles in certain states help reduce fire risks.
• Learning from global models such as Nepal’s Community Forest User Groups and Indonesia’s Fire-Free Village Program can strengthen community-based forest fire management in India.

The Way Forward

• Addressing the impact of forest fires on the environment, economy, and society requires a collaborative multi-sector approach.

 Key solutions include: 

• Policy support and improved budgeting to ensure ongoing funding for fire management.
• Technology adoption for enhanced prediction, monitoring, and response capabilities.
• Training and empowering local communities to report and manage fires in real-time effectively.

Conclusion

Effectively addressing the escalating threat of forest fires demands a concerted effort from policymakers, scientists, civil society organizations, and local communities.