Plastic Treaty Negotiations Fail With Countries Split Over Production Cuts
Relevance : GS 3(Environment ) Conclusion: The fifth round of negotiations on a global plastic pollution treaty ended without an agreement due to deep divisions between countries.
India Levies Heavy Fines on Automakers for Emission Norm Violations
Context: The Indian government has identified eight automakers, including prominent companies like Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, and Honda, for exceeding the mandated fleet emission levels during the financial year 2022-23. Due to non-compliance with the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms, these companies face an estimated total penalty of ₹7,300 crore. Hyundai alone is subjected to […]
Global Matchmaking Platform Overview
Context: Recently, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Climate Club launched the Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP). Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP) Origin and Purpose: Function and Connectivity: Support and Collaboration: Organizational Structure and Support: Significance: -Source: The Hindu
Supreme Court Questions Accuracy of Satellite Data on Farm Fires
Context; The Supreme Court of India has recently raised concerns about the discrepancies in satellite data concerning farm fires, provided by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). This data is essential for monitoring air quality in regions such as Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, where stubble burning significantly impacts air pollution levels. Relevance: GS III: […]
Global Negotiations in Busan Aim
Context: In a significant step toward global environmental governance, representatives from over 170 countries are convening in Busan, South Korea, for the fifth and final round of negotiations aimed at establishing a legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution, including its detrimental effects on marine environments. This initiative follows a commitment made during the 2022 […]
About Air Quality Index
Context: Air quality index (AQI), according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), is a measure of the concentration of eight pollutants — particulate matter (PM)10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), ammonia (NH3), and lead (Pb) — in the air at a monitoring location. A sub-index is calculated […]
About the Senna tora Plant
Context: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is experimenting with the removal of a potential new species of invasive plant Senna tora that has begun emerging in parts of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR). Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: Senna Tora Plant About Mudumalai Tiger Reserve -Source: The Hindu
Summary of New Study on Carbon Trading Mechanisms
Context: The study published in Nature journal looked at projects that together generated carbon credits worth one billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Under the Paris Agreement, more robust carbon trade mechanisms are being created, with some progress expected to happen at the ongoing COP29 meeting in Baku. Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of […]
State of the Climate 2024 Report
Context: State of the Climate 2024 Report once again issues a Red Alert at the sheer pace of climate change in a single generation, turbo-charged by ever-increasing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology State of the Climate 2024 Report Issuing Organization and Release Context: Key Findings of the Report […]
Adaptation Gap Report 2024
Context: Recently, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the Adaptation Gap Report 2024: Come hell and high water. Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: Adaptation and Adaptation gap: Adaptation: The process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects. In human systems, adaptation seeks to moderate or avoid harm or exploit beneficial […]