Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 09 November 2024

Contents :

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

The BRICS journey — gaining heft while in transition

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.

Staying cool, but with clean tech, global collaborations

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.