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Subject: Conservation & Mitigation

1. Conservation Progs.
2. Worldwide initiatives
3. Mitigation Strategies
4. Conventions and Protocols

  • World’s Longest Banana Infructescence Found in Andaman

    World’s Longest Banana Infructescence Found in Andaman

    Why in the News?

    A species of wild banana, Musa indandamanensis, endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has set a world record with an infructescence (fruit bunch axis) measuring 4.2 metres — the longest ever recorded among banana species globally.

    About the Musa indandamanensis:

    • Musa indandamanensis is a wild banana species that is endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
    • It was first discovered in 2012 near the Krishna Nala reserve forest in Little Andaman and officially described in 2014.
    • The species was later rediscovered in Campbell Bay, located in the Nicobar Islands.
    • The discovery was led by Dr. Lal Ji Singh, Head of the Botanical Survey of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre.
    • Due to its limited natural range and habitat vulnerability, it is listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN.

    Notable Features:

    • The species holds the world record for the longest banana infructescence, measuring 4.2 metres.
    • The plant typically reaches a height of about 11 metres, with stem girth varying by location: under 100 cm in Little Andaman and around 110 cm in Campbell Bay.
    • It bears golden yellow to orange fruits, which ripen into a golden-orange pulp containing many irregular-shaped seeds.
    • The plant thrives in moist tropical forests, typically near waterfalls and streams.
    • It is considered a valuable genetic resource for developing drought-resistant, disease-tolerant, and high-yielding banana varieties.
    • Specimens are showcased in botanical institutions such as the Indian Museum in Kolkata and the Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre.
    • For ex-situ conservation, saplings have been planted in botanical gardens in Howrah, Prayagraj, and Port Blair.
    [UPSC 2016] Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?

    Options: (a) Andaman Islands* (b) Anaimalai Forests (c) Maikala Hills (d) Tropical rain forests of northeast

     

  • It is time to protect India’s workers from the heat

    Why in the News?

    Millions of informal workers in Indian cities are still suffering the most because Heat Action Plans are poorly designed.

    What are the key gaps in current Heat Action Plans for informal workers?

    • Lack of Specific Focus on Informal Workers: Most Heat Action Plans do not explicitly identify or address the unique needs of informal workers. Eg: NDMA’s 2019 heatwave guidelines mention “outdoor workers” broadly, without specific measures for vendors, construction workers, or waste pickers.
    • Absence of Occupational Safety Protocols: There are no provisions for safe working hours, rest breaks, hydration, or emergency response for heat stress. Eg: State-level HAPs often do not mandate rest periods or shaded areas for those working under the sun, unlike Odisha which mandates halts in outdoor work during peak heat hours.
    • Short-term and Crisis-oriented Planning: Most HAPs are activated only during summer months and lack long-term strategies to tackle recurring heatwaves. Eg: City-level HAPs like those in Delhi focus on public awareness during heat alerts but don’t invest in permanent cooling infrastructure.
    • Inadequate Coordination Between Departments: Ministries and departments (Labour, Urban Affairs, Health) work in silos, leading to disjointed efforts. Eg: Urban development plans rarely consult labour departments, leaving out worker welfare components like cooling shelters at work sites.
    • No Budgetary Provision or Worker Participation: Most HAPs are underfunded and formulated without involving worker collectives or unions. Eg: Unlike Ahmedabad’s more inclusive model that adjusted work hours and created shaded rest areas, many cities fail to allocate funds or consult informal worker groups.

    Why are informal workers most vulnerable to heatwaves?

    • Prolonged Exposure to Outdoor Heat: Informal workers often work in open, unshaded environments without protective infrastructure. Eg: Street vendors and construction workers spend long hours on roads or open sites under direct sunlight, increasing the risk of heatstroke and dehydration.
    • Lack of Social and Health Protection: Most informal workers are not covered under formal health insurance or welfare schemes. Eg: Waste pickers or rickshaw pullers facing heat exhaustion rarely get access to medical care or income support during extreme weather conditions.
    • No Control Over Work Conditions: Informal work lacks regulated hours, rest breaks, or heat safety norms. Eg: Gig workers or daily wage labourers often continue working during peak heat hours to avoid income loss, further risking their health.

    Who should be included in drafting worker-focused HAPs?

    • Informal Worker Collectives and Unions: These groups bring first-hand knowledge of occupational challenges and practical needs. Eg: Street vendor associations can guide the placement of shaded stalls or cooling zones in high-traffic market areas.
    • Local Civil Society and NGOs: They have ground-level experience working with vulnerable communities and can ensure inclusive planning. Eg: NGOs working with waste pickers can help identify priority locations for hydration points and rest shelters.
    • Urban Local Bodies and Municipal Officials: City planners and officials must coordinate resources and integrate worker needs into official frameworks. Eg: Municipal corporations can designate public spaces like bus depots or community halls as cooling centers for workers.

    Where should cooling zones be set up for maximum worker benefit?

    • High-Density Work Areas: Install cooling zones where informal workers are concentrated and exposed to heat. Eg: Labour chowks, construction sites, and industrial zones where daily wage workers gather and work outdoors.
    • Public Transport Hubs and Markets: Busy areas with long waiting times or heavy footfall offer strategic relief points. Eg: Bus stations, metro exits, and wholesale markets where street vendors and rickshaw pullers operate.
    • Slum Clusters and Informal Settlements: Set up community cooling centres where workers live in poorly ventilated, heat-trapping environments. Eg: Urban slums lacking trees or open spaces, where indoor heat stress is high during nights and afternoons.

    How can cities integrate heat resilience into governance and planning? (Way forward)

    • Embed Heat-Safety Norms in Urban Planning Frameworks: Include heat adaptation measures in master plans, building bye-laws, and zoning regulations. Eg: Mandating cool roofs, passive ventilation, and shaded pathways in all new public infrastructure projects.
    • Retrofit Informal Workspaces for Thermal Comfort: Upgrade existing markets, labour hubs, and waste collection zones with heat-resilient designs. Eg: Installing reflective roofing, shade nets, and drinking water stations in street vendor zones.
    • Establish Interdepartmental Coordination and Accountability: Create dedicated roles (like a heat officer) and inter-ministerial task forces for climate and labour. Eg: A city-level heat officer coordinating between health, labour, and urban departments to ensure timely responses during heatwaves.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2013] Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world.

    Linkage: It is time to protect India’s workers from the heat” discusses the growing crisis of extreme heat in Indian cities and its severe impact on urban informal workers.

  • Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in Fishing

    Why in the News?

    A recent legal dispute between the US and Russia has brought the issue of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) into the spotlight.

    About Total Allowable Catch (TAC):

    • TAC refers to the maximum quantity of a specific fish species that can be legally harvested in a defined period.
    • It is established to prevent overfishing and ensure sustainable fish populations.
    • These limits are essential for maintaining ecological balance and supporting long-term fishing industries.

    Various Laws Governing TAC:

    • TACs are set by international fisheries management organizations like:
      • FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization).
      • RFMOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organizations) for shared or migratory fish stocks.
    • European Union (EU): TACs are managed under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which sets quotas for member states based on scientific advice. Landing obligations ensure that all catches are counted against quotas, preventing waste.
    • India: India enforces a seasonal fishing ban in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for 61 days to protect breeding fish. This ban serves as a TAC equivalent of zero for specific periods, supporting fish stock regeneration.
    • New Zealand: The Fisheries Act sets TACs for various stocks and specifies catch limits in terms of weight or numbers, updated by official notices.
    [UPSC 2013] The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where:

    Options: (a) Warm and cold atmospheric currents meet (b) Rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea (c) Warm and cold oceanic currents meet* (d) continental shelf is undulating.

     

  • Microplastics disrupting the Ocean’s Carbon Cycle

    Why in the News?

    A study published in Nature reveals that microplastics have deeply infiltrated the ocean, affecting the planet’s biogeochemical and carbon cycles.

    Microplastics

    Key Findings of the Study:

    • Microplastics (1–100 micrometres) dominate the ocean’s water column, especially below surface layers, unlike larger plastic fragments (100–5,000 micrometres) which remain near the surface.
    • Subsurface microplastics were found as deep as 100 metres within ocean gyres—rotating currents that trap and accumulate debris.
    • Data was compiled from 1,885 ocean stations (2014–2024), focusing on 50 cm below surface (subsurface layer).
    • Over 56 polymer types were detected; buoyant polymers, common in global plastic production, were most prevalent.
    • Sources identified:
      • Fishing gear, including nylon and polyester nets, was a significant contributor to deep-sea microplastics.
      • Plastics sampled often had production dates from the 20th century, highlighting their long degradation timelines.
      • Atmospheric deposition contributes 0.013–25 million tonnes annually, with polyester dominant in airborne microplastics.

    About Allochthonous Carbon:

    • Allochthonous carbon is carbon from external sources introduced into an ecosystem, not produced within it.
    • In oceans, plastics are a major source of allochthonous carbon, as they come from land-based human activities.
    • Microplastics contribute measurable carbon mass to marine systems, altering natural carbon ratios in ocean layers.
    • This distorts the marine carbon pump by affecting the flow and composition of particulate organic carbon (POC).
    • Impacts:
      • Plastic-derived carbon lacks radiocarbon, which may cause marine POC samples to appear around 420 years older.
      • It disrupts microbial activity, nutrient cycling like nitrification and denitrification, and organic matter decomposition.
      • Marine microbes ingest plastic-C, affecting food chains and altering biological processes at the base of ecosystems.
    [UPSC 2012] What would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason?

    Statements:

    1. The ocean as a carbon sink would be adversely affected.

    2. The food chains in the ocean would be adversely affected.

    3. The density of ocean water would drastically decrease.

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

  • Repairability Index (RI) for Mobile and Electronics Sector

    Why in the News?

    The Committee formed to design India’s Repairability Index (RI) framework has submitted its report to Department of Consumer Affairs.

    About Repairability Index (RI):

    • The RI is a standardized label that indicates how easily a product can be repaired by assessing multiple parameters.
    • It is designed to empower consumers to make informed decisions and promote sustainable consumption.
    • The RI is applicable initially to smartphones and tablets and uses a 5-point numeric scale for scoring.
    • The six key parameters used to calculate RI are:
      1. Disassembly Depth
      2. Repair Information
      3. Spare Parts Availability
      4. Software Updates
      5. Tools Required
      6. Fasteners Used
    • The scoring covers priority components such as battery, display, cameras, charging port, microphone, speaker, and hinge mechanism.
    • RI labels must be displayed at the point of sale, on e-commerce platforms, and via QR code on packaging.

    Recommendations of the RI Framework:

    • The RI framework must align with global best practices while maintaining ease of doing business for manufacturers.
    • Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) will self-declare RI scores based on standard criteria, with no extra compliance burden.
    • A clear scoring methodology has been developed, with weightages assigned to each parameter for key parts.
    • The committee identified smartphones and tablets as the initial focus under the RI framework.
    • Stakeholder consultations included manufacturers, consumer groups, academic bodies, and government departments.
    • The framework complements the existing Right to Repair Portal (launched in 2022), which provides repair-related information across four sectors.
    • The committee emphasized the need for a robust post-sale ecosystem for both urban and rural consumers.
    [UPSC 2021] R2 Code of Practices’ constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of:

    Options: (a) environmentally responsible practices in electronics recycling industry*

    (b) ecological management of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention

    (c) sustainable practices in the cultivation of agricultural crops in degraded land

    (d) ‘Environmental Impact Assessment’ in the exploitation of natural resources

     

  • Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme (GHCS)

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme (GHCS) under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

    About Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme (GHCS):

    • GHCS aims to certify that hydrogen produced in India meets the criteria to be labelled as “green hydrogen”, based on verified emissions data.
    • The scheme enhances transparency, credibility, and traceability in hydrogen production and supports India’s goal of becoming a global hub for green hydrogen exports.
    • The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is the nodal agency responsible for the implementation of this scheme.
    • Certification under GHCS also helps producers access carbon credits under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), subject to additional requirements.
    • The scheme covers hydrogen produced using electrolysis with renewable energy or biomass conversion.

    Key Features of GHCS:

    • Hydrogen will be certified as “green” if its non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions are ≤ 2 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of hydrogen, averaged over 12 months.
    • The certification process includes four stages:
      • Concept Certificate (project design stage)
      • Facility-Level Certificate (infrastructure readiness)
      • Provisional Certificate (early production data)
      • Final Certificate (verified emissions based on actual production)
    • Only the Final Certificate is mandatory for producers seeking government incentives or selling hydrogen in the domestic market.
    • Producers must appoint Accredited Carbon Verification (ACV) agencies for independent verification, recognized by the BEE.
    • The scheme is aligned with international standards like ISO 19870:2023, ensuring global credibility.
    • Certificates are issued in multiples of 100 kg of hydrogen, containing details on emission intensity and production sources.
    [UPSC 2023] With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements:

    1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation . 3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles. How may of the above statements are correct?

    Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three * (d) None

     

  • Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle returns to Ganga after 3 Decades

    Why in the News?

    The red-crowned roofed turtle has returned to the Ganga River after nearly 30 years of absence.

    Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle returns to Ganga after 3 Decades

    About Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle

    • The Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga) is one of the most endangered freshwater turtle species in the world.
    • It is native to South Asia, particularly India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
    • Historically found in deep, flowing rivers with sandbar nesting sites, it now survives only in the Chambal River, with fewer than 300 individuals remaining.
    • This species plays a crucial role in maintaining river ecosystem balance by controlling aquatic vegetation and contributing to nutrient cycling.
    • Under the Namami Gange Mission and Turtle Survival Alliance India (TSAFI) project, 20 turtles (10 males, 10 females) were released into the Ganga River at Haiderpur Wetland and Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary.
    • The IUCN Red List categorizes it as Critically Endangered, while India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 lists it in Schedule I, offering the highest legal protection.
    • It is also listed under Appendix I of CITES, regulating international trade of the species.
    [UPSC 2017] In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

    Options: (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger*. (b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and how it is impossible to prevent its extinction.  (c) It is endemic to a particular region of India. (d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.

     

  • [30th April 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: A powerful judicial remedy for waste management

    PYQ Relevance:

    [UPSC 2023] The most significant achievement of modern law in India in the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court. Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws.

    Linkage: The Supreme Court’s proactive role in integrating environmental concerns into constitutional law, aligns with the source’s assertion that environmental protection is a constitutional imperative aimed at safeguarding fundamental rights.

     

    Mentor’s Comment:  A new study published in Nature says that India is the world’s biggest plastic polluter, releasing 9.3 million tonnes of plastic each year—about 20% of the global total. The study defines plastic emissions as plastic waste (like litter and burned plastic) that escapes from areas where it’s at least somewhat controlled and ends up in the open environment, where there’s no control at all.

    Today’s editorial looks at plastic pollution in India and the actions taken by the Supreme Court to reduce it. This topic is useful for GS Paper 2 (Policy and governance) and GS Paper 3 (Environmental pollution).

    _

    Let’s learn!

    Why in the News?

    A new study published in Nature says that India produces more plastic pollution than any other country in the world.

    What does the Nature study reveal about India’s plastic pollution?

    • India is the World’s Largest Plastic Polluter: According to the study, India releases 9.3 million tonnes (Mt) of plastic waste annually, accounting for about 20% of global plastic emissions. Eg: This includes both plastic debris and open burning, contributing heavily to land, air, and water pollution.
    • Plastic Waste Emissions Include Mismanaged and Openly Burnt Waste: Plastic emissions are defined as plastic that moves from controlled (managed or mismanaged) systems to unmanaged, uncontained environments. Eg: Waste escaping from open dumpsites or burnt in open fields, common in peri-urban and rural India.
    • Official Data Grossly Underestimates Real Waste Figures: India’s reported per capita plastic waste generation is 0.12 kg/day, but the study estimates it at 0.54 kg/day, suggesting severe underreporting. Eg: Rural waste and informal recycling activities are often excluded from government reports.
    • Uncontrolled Dumpsites Far Outnumber Sanitary Landfills: The study found that unregulated dumpsites outnumber sanitary landfills by 10:1, highlighting a major infrastructure gap. Eg: Cities like Patna and Guwahati rely on open dumping due to lack of engineered landfills.
    • Data Deficiency Hampers Effective Waste Management: Lack of reliable data, especially from rural areas and informal sectors, weakens national waste management planning. Eg: In the Indian Himalayan Region, poor data on plastic waste flow leads to accumulation in fragile ecosystems.

    Why is India’s plastic waste data seen as inaccurate?

    • Exclusion of Rural Areas from Official Data: Government statistics largely reflect urban waste generation, ignoring plastic waste from vast rural regions. Eg: Villages disposing plastic in fields or burning it are not included in national data systems.
    • Unaccounted Informal Recycling Sector: The informal sector plays a big role in plastic recycling but is not officially documented in waste audits. Eg: Ragpickers collecting and selling recyclables in Delhi or Mumbai don’t show up in municipal records.
    • No Data on Open Burning of Waste: Open burning, a major source of plastic emissions, is not systematically tracked or included in national waste reports. Eg: In slums and small towns, plastic is often burnt in the open due to lack of collection facilities.
    • Overreporting of Waste Collection Coverage: India claims a 95% collection rate, but this is likely overstated due to poor documentation and ground reality. Eg: Areas with irregular garbage pickup services are still marked as “covered” in official data.
    • Lack of Transparent Data Methodology: There is no clarity on how data is collected, audited, or verified by municipal or state agencies. Eg: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reports don’t mention the sampling or survey methods used.

    How can India improve its waste management system?

    • Ensure Reliable and Inclusive Data Collection: Create a robust, transparent mechanism to collect data from both urban and rural areas, including informal sectors. Eg: Use mobile apps or digital platforms to track daily waste from panchayats and slums in states like Bihar or Odisha.
    • Mandate Waste Audits and Public Methodologies: All data-gathering agencies must publish their methodologies and undergo third-party audits to ensure accuracy. Eg: Municipal bodies in Maharashtra could be required to disclose how they measure household waste generation.
    • Link Local Bodies to Full Waste Processing Ecosystem: Every urban and rural local body should be mandatorily connected to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), recyclers, EPR kiosks, and landfills. Eg: Villages in Himachal Pradesh could be linked to nearby MRFs for segregating plastic and compostable waste.
    • Implement and Monitor Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs) must collect and manage plastic waste they generate, through designated kiosks. Eg: FMCG companies could set up EPR kiosks in towns across Tamil Nadu to collect multi-layered packaging.
    • Leverage Technology and Geo-tag Infrastructure: Use India’s tech capability to geo-tag waste infrastructure, monitor waste flows, and plan better logistics. Eg: Using GIS-based dashboards to track landfill use and recycling rates in cities like Bengaluru and Jaipur.

    What is the Vellore Tanneries Case?

    • The Vellore Tanneries Case refers to a significant legal battle concerning the environmental pollution caused by the tannery industry in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. It is a landmark case due to its focus on the polluter pays principle and environmental justice.

    Why did the Supreme Court act on the Vellore tanneries case? 

    • To Enforce Environmental Justice and Fundamental Rights: The Court recognized that pollution from tanneries violated citizens’ fundamental rights to clean air, water, and health, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. Eg: Villagers in Vellore affected by contaminated groundwater and health issues were denied their basic rights.
    • To Ensure Accountability and Compliance: Government policies and earlier Court orders had been routinely ignored, so the Court issued a continuing mandamus to ensure time-bound compliance. Eg: The Court directed a committee to monitor clean-up and remediation in Vellore and submit reports within 4 months.
    • To Uphold the “Polluter Pays Principle”: The Court ruled that polluters must bear the cost of damage to the environment and compensate affected communities. Eg: Tanneries discharging untreated effluents were made liable for both environmental restoration and community compensation.
    • To Promote Sustainable Development through Remediation: The Court emphasized that restoring the damaged environment is a part of sustainable development, not an optional activity. Eg: Soil and water remediation programs in the affected leather clusters were ordered to be implemented.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Data Collection and Transparency: Establish comprehensive waste data systems that include rural areas, informal sectors, and open burning, with clear methodologies and third-party audits to ensure accurate reporting.
    • Implement Robust Waste Management Infrastructure: Connect local bodies to the full waste processing ecosystem, enforce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic waste, and leverage technology to track and manage waste flows effectively.

  • How Locusts form massive Swarms?

    Why in the News?

    A recent study by the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior suggests that locusts do not behave like gas particles but instead make cognitive decisions based on their perception of nearby motion.

    Locust

    About Locust Swarms  

    • Locusts are large grasshoppers capable of forming massive swarms, consuming up to their body weight in food daily, and traveling 150 km/day with favourable winds.
    • They are highly destructive, stripping crops and threatening food security. A single swarm can consume food equivalent to the daily needs of 35,000 people.
    • In India, Locust Control and Research (LC&R) oversees locust management.
    • The Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), established in 1939, monitors and controls locust activity in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
    • The 2019-2022 desert locust outbreak was one of the worst in decades, devastating India, Pakistan, and East Africa, destroying over 200,000 hectares of crops.
    • Despite existing control measures, locust outbreaks remain difficult to manage due to their rapid breeding capabilities.

    Key Highlights of New Research:

    • Traditional models assumed locusts moved collectively by aligning with neighbours.
    • However Max Planck Institute reveals that locusts make cognitive decisions based on visual cues.
    • The study introduced a new mathematical model using neural ring attractor networks, showing that locusts decide on movement based on multiple visual cues, leading to coordinated swarms through decentralised decision-making.
    • This understanding provides a more accurate model for predicting locust swarm behaviour, crucial for early intervention.
    [UPSC 2023] Which of the following organisms perform waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?

    Options: (a) Butterflies (b) Dragonflies (c) Honeybees* (d) Wasps

     

  • Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) Targets

    Why in the News?

    The Environment Ministry has released the Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025, as part of the government’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from energy-intensive sectors.

    About Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI):

    • GHGs trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
    • Major GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and synthetic fluorinated gases (CFCs, HCFCs).
    • GEI measures the amount of GHGs emitted per unit of output (e.g., per tonne of product like cement or aluminium).
    • It uses tCO2e (tonnes of CO2 equivalent) to account for the impact of all GHGs.
    • Reducing GEI is vital to mitigate climate change, promoting the use of cleaner technologies in industries to lower environmental footprints.

    Key Provisions of Draft GEI Target Rules, 2025:

    • Target Setting for Industries: Specific emission intensity reduction targets are set for energy-intensive sectors like aluminium, cement, and pulp and paper, for the periods 2025-26 and 2026-27.
    • Baseline Emissions & Gradual Reduction: Baseline GHG emissions for 2023-24 are established, with targets for gradual reduction over time.
    • Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS): Industries meeting GEI targets will earn carbon credits that can be traded on India’s carbon market. Those failing to meet targets will need to buy credits or face penalties.
    • Sector-Specific Applicability: Targets apply to 13 aluminium plants, 186 cement plants, 53 pulp and paper plants, and 30 chlor-alkali plants.
    • Penalties & Incentives: Non-compliant industries must buy carbon credits or face penalties. The rules encourage clean technologies, like using biomass instead of coal in production.
    • Alignment with Paris Agreement: The rules support India’s climate commitments, aiming for a 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
    • Monitoring & Compliance: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will oversee the carbon credit market, ensuring compliance through regular progress reports from industries.
    [UPSC 2022] Climate Action Tracker’ which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:

    Options: (a) Database is created by coalition of research organisations* (b) Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change” (c) Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” (d) Agency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank