Content:
- Preparing for worse
- Takeaways from COP29
- Reflections on Baku’s ‘NCQG outcome’
Preparing for Worse
Context: Cyclone Fengal caused widespread devastation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, resulting in 16 deaths, affecting 7 million families, and submerging over 2.21 lakh hectares of farmland
Relevance : GS 3 (Disaster Management )
Practice Question : On light of cyclone Fengal’s havoc evaluate disaster preparedness of india . Mention important challenges and solutions .(250 Words )
- Landfall causing huge issue in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry .
- Infrastructure Strain: The South Pennai river, typically dry, saw an unprecedented flow of 2.4 lakh cusecs, worsening floods.
- Relief Measures: Tamil Nadu sought ₹2,000 crore in central assistance; Puducherry announced ₹210 crore in aid.
Broader Implications
- Unpredictable Northeast Monsoon: Vital but increasingly erratic, affecting regions like northwestern Tamil Nadu.
- IMD Observations: Average of four cyclonic storms per season anticipated; frequency and intensity increasing due to climate change.
Challenges
- Urban flooding in Chennai and rural agricultural losses highlight infrastructure and livelihood challenges.
- Encroachments and poor maintenance of water bodies exacerbate flood risks.
- Relief efforts focus more on short-term measures than long-term resilience.
- Delayed publication of critical reports hampers planning.
Immediate and Long-Term Solutions
Structural Interventions:
- Strengthening Bunds and Waterways: Regular silt removal and embankment reinforcement.
- Urban Planning: Clear encroachments and improve drainage systems.
- Infrastructure Resilience: Build robust flood-resistant infrastructure.
Policy and Governance:
- Flood Risk Mitigation Report: Implement and publicise recommendations.
- Data-Driven Planning: Use IMD forecasts for region-specific disaster management.
Community-Centric Actions:
- Agricultural Support: Provide financial relief and promote resilient practices.
- Early Warning Systems: Enhance disaster communication channels.
Way Forward
Building Climate Resilience:
- Transition from reactive to proactive disaster management.
- Public awareness campaigns on climate risks and preventive measures.
Regional Collaboration:
- Collaborate with neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and Maldives on forecasting and disaster response to mitigate impacts.
Takeaways From COP29
Context : COP29 Held in Baku, Azerbaijan, with a strong emphasis on climate finance to meet Paris Agreement goals.
Relevance : GS 3 (Environment )
Practice Question : Explain key take aways of Baku conference . Discuss expectation from upcoming conference at Belém, Brazil . (250 Words )
- Key Focus Areas:
- Mobilising climate finance for developing nations.
- Advancing global carbon markets under Articles 6.2 and 6.4.
- Reviewing and strengthening Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
- Phasing out fossil fuels.
- Parallel Event: G20 Summit in Brazil also prioritised climate finance.
Key Outcomes of COP29
Disappointments in Climate Finance
- Inadequate Commitment: $300 billion annually through 2035 is far short of the $1.3 trillion needed.
- Private Finance Uncertainty: Volatile investment flows and bias towards high-return economies.
- Public Finance Limits: Developed nations’ commitments remain constrained by fiscal challenges.
- Structural Gaps: Reliance on MDBs and carbon markets insufficient for large-scale needs.
Positive Developments
- Advancements in Carbon Markets:
- Finalised rules for bilateral carbon credit trading (Article 6.2).
- Frameworks for global carbon markets (Article 6.4), benefiting renewable energy sectors.
- Updated Emission Pledges: New targets from EU, Canada, U.K., Brazil, Norway, and Mexico.
- Coal Phase-Out Plan: Indonesia to retire all coal and fossil fuel plants by 2040.
- Focus on Clean Energy Transition: Emphasised at G20 and COP29.
Unresolved Issues
- Phasing Out Fossil Fuels: Lack of global consensus on all fossil fuels.
- 1.5°C Dilemma: Feasibility of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C is in question.
Implications :
For Developed Countries:
- Need to balance green investments with international commitments.
- Addressing economic growth and fiscal constraints is critical.
For Developing Countries:
- Challenges: Insufficient financial support and dependence on volatile private finance.
- Opportunities: Leveraging carbon markets for renewable energy investments.
For Global Climate Governance:
- Lack of financial ambition undermines CBDR-RC principles.
- Slow fossil fuel phase-out highlights need for stronger cooperation.
Way Forward
- Immediate Actions: Increase public finance contributions and implement Article 6.4 frameworks for global carbon markets.
- Long-Term Strategies: Invest in carbon removal technologies and enhance multilateral cooperation for ambitious targets.
- Key Recommendations for India: Maximise participation in global carbon markets and advocate for equitable financing focusing on adaptation and resilience.
Reflections on Baku’s ‘NCQG outcome’
Context : The “Finance COP,” focused on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) to update climate financing commitments.
Relevance : GS 3 (Environment )
Practice Question : Explain opportunities and challenges of NCQG outcome. Suggest key measures to address concerns raised by developing countries on NCQG outcome.(250 Words )
Background
- Climate Urgency: The IPCC highlights the necessity to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Current policies risk a rise of 3.1°C.
- NCQG’s Foundation: Established at COP21 to replace the outdated $100 billion annual pledge from Cancun in 2010.
Climate Finance Needs and Challenges
- Developing World’s Perspective:
- High upfront costs for cleaner technologies need financial aid.
- Strained government budgets in developing countries require external support.
- India’s Example: Significant budget allocations for green initiatives underline the need for both domestic and international financial support.
- Systemic Challenges:
- Debt dependency strains economies and limits private investment.
- Higher borrowing rates in developing countries hinder affordable climate finance.
- OECD countries dominate global financial flows, restricting equitable distribution.
The NCQG Outcome at COP29
- Pledges and Commitments:
- $300 billion annually until 2035, with public resources tripled via mechanisms like the Adaptation Fund.
- Shortcomings:
- The $300 billion is inadequate compared to the $1.3 trillion annual demand by developing nations.
- Reliance on private capital undermines transformative action.
- Disregards principles of equitable burden sharing and climate justice.
Broader Implications
- Missed Opportunity: Fails to meet the urgency and scale of required climate action.
- Undermining Trust: Developed countries’ reluctance to meet commitments weakens trust.
- Delayed Action: Slow fund mobilisation risks misalignment with climate timelines.
The Way Forward
- Strengthening Cooperation: Prioritise Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and centralise climate justice in negotiations.
- Focus on Equity: Prioritise public grants over loans and strengthen mechanisms for equitable fund distribution.
- Developing Nations’ Role: Maintain unity in demanding fair climate finance and advocate for frameworks supporting transformative action.
