Call Us Now

+91 9606900005 / 04

For Enquiry

legacyiasacademy@gmail.com

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 09 November 2024

  1. The BRICS journey — gaining heft while in transition
  2. Staying cool, but with clean tech, global collaborations


BRICS:

  • Started in 2009 with four members: Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
    • Joined by South Africa: In 2011.
      • Objective: To promote cooperation among emerging economies.

Relevance: GS 2 ( International Relations )

Practice Question: Discuss the significance of BRICS expansion in representing the Global South’s interests. Highlights its significance for the current global governance structure. (250 words)

Survival and Rejuvenation

  • Kazan Summit (October 22-24, 2024): 16th summit since 2009.
    • Challenges: COVID-19, India-China border tensions, Russia’s Ukraine conflict.
    • Expansion: New members (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia) were added at the 15th summit.
    • Growing Interest: 34 nations expressed interest in joining BRICS, indicating its rising global stature.

BRICS Spirit and Objectives

  • Reformist Approach: Seeks to reform, not replace, the global order.
    • Core Characteristics: Mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, collaboration, and consensus.
    • Three Cooperation Verticals: Political and security, economic and financial, cultural and people-to-people.

Global Role and Influence

  • United Nations Reform: Advocacy for greater roles for countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America in the UN, including the Security Council.
    • Economic Sanctions: Call for the elimination of unilateral sanctions, highlighting their violation of international law and human rights impact.

Focus Areas at Kazan Summit

Peace and Security

  • West Asia Conflict: Focused on ceasefire and establishing an independent State of Palestine.
    • Ukraine Conflict: Maintained a neutral tone, emphasized dialogue and diplomacy, and addressed root causes.

Economic and Financial Cooperation

  • Local Currencies: Increased use in financial transactions among BRICS countries.
    • New Development Bank (NDB): Limited new capital due to Saudi Arabia’s hesitancy; focus on improving existing structures.

Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges

  • Promoting Cooperation: Focus on sports, culture, parliaments, civil society, business, and think tanks for long-term benefits.

Expansion and New Partnerships

  • New Partner States: 13 new partner states from Latin America, Africa, Eurasia, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia were invited.
    • Future Influence: Expansion to increase BRICS’s share in world population, trade, and GDP.

India’s Perspective

Strategic Importance:

  • Top Plurilateral Groupings: BRICS, G-20, Quad, BIMSTEC, G-7 (guest status), SCO.
    • Multipolarity and Autonomy: Enhances India’s strategic autonomy and multipolarity advocacy.
    • India-China Relations: The recent Modi-Xi meeting aimed at improving bilateral ties and strategic space for India.

India’s Contributions and Views on Expansion:

  • International Cooperation: India values BRICS’s role in global cooperation.
    • Pragmatic Approach: Initially cautious, now supportive of expansion for enhanced influence.
    • Geopolitical Role: Acts as a bridge between West and East, North and South, making India a pivotal player in global politics.

Conclusion :

  • BRICS is set to become a more significant player in global governance. Its ability to maintain cohesion amidst diversity will determine its impact on world affairs.


Context: As the world warms, cooling solutions become essential, particularly for vulnerable populations. The Quad’s Wilmington Declaration and global collaborations, emphasise clean energy and efficient cooling technologies.

Relevance: GS 3 (Environment )

Practice Question: How does international collaboration on clean cooling technologies help address climate challenges? Illustrate with examples from recent initiatives. (150 words )

Necessity of Cooling :

  • In a rapidly warming world cooling is no longer a luxury but a necessity for vulnerable populations.
  • International Cooperation is essential for developing and deploying clean energy and cooling solutions to mitigate climate impacts.

Wilmington Declaration and Quad’s Commitment :

  • Wilmington Declaration (September 21, 2024): Issued by Quad nations (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) to underline their commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
  • Focus: Emphasises high-efficiency cooling systems.
  • India-U.S. Collaboration: A joint road map for resilient and secure global clean energy supply chains, with a special focus on clean cooling technologies.

India’s Leadership :

  • Significant Investments: India is leading efforts with investments in solar and cooling infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific region.
  • India and the U.S. plan to increase manufacturing potential for high-efficiency air-conditioners and fans.

Cooling-Related Emissions

  • Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment (2016): Set a precedent for global action on reducing cooling-related emissions.
  • HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons): Potent greenhouse gases used in cooling appliances, targeted for phase-down by 2047.
  • HFC phase-down with energy efficiency improvements can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Challenges:

  • Indirect and Direct Emissions: Inefficient cooling systems powered by fossil fuels and harmful refrigerants contribute to climate change.
  • Lack of Standards: Many countries lack integrated energy efficiency and refrigerant standards, which may lead to the market dominance of outdated, inefficient models.

India’s Climate Vulnerability and Response

  • Extreme Temperatures: Parts of India experienced temperatures over 50°C in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for cooling solutions.
  • Future Demand: By 2050, India may have the world’s highest cooling demand with over 1.14 billion air conditioners.
  • Kigali Amendment Ratification (2021) India committed to reducing HFCs by 85% by 2047.
  • India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP): Targets significant reductions in cooling demand, energy consumption, and a shift to low-GWP refrigerants.

Mission-Mode Approach

  • National Mission for Sustainable Cooling: Calls for focused leadership, cross-sectoral collaboration, and coordinated efforts.
  • Inter-Ministerial Working Group: Essential for planning, budgeting, and capacity-building initiatives.

Global Commitments and COP29

  • COP28 Achievements: 63 countries pledged to reduce cooling emissions by 68% by 2050.
  • Global Cooling Pledge: Aims to provide cooling access to 3.5 billion people and save $17 trillion in energy costs.
  • COP29 Goals: Build on COP28 momentum, expand cooling commitments, and enhance international partnerships.

Conclusion :

Collaboration should happen at the international level to develop sustainable solutions for climate change. India’s leadership is vital in global efforts against the climate change crisis.


November 2024
MTWTFSS
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930 
Categories

Register For a Free Online Counselling Session Now !

Welcome Pop Up
+91