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Subject: Environment

  • UN Water Conference and Key Takeaways

    water

    Central idea

    • The UN 2023 Water Conference was held in New York from March 22-24.
    • It was the first such meeting on water in 46 years.
    • The conference aimed to identify game-changing ideas and make recommendations to policymakers on how to speed up and scale up change in the water sector.

    What is the UN Water Conference?

    • The UN Water Conference is an international conference that aims to better align activities by governments, companies, NGOs, and funders around a few grand challenges in the water sector.
    • It serves as a platform for countries to learn from the experiences of others, transfer technology, and invest.
    • The last UN Water Conference was held in 1977.
    • It resulted in the first global ‘Action Plan’ recognizing that all people have the right to access safe drinking water and sanitation.
    • This led to several decades of global funding and concerted effort to provide drinking water and sanitation for all.

    Themes of the conference

    The Conference has five themes that support the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework:

    1. Water for Health: Access to ‘WASH’ (Global Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene) including the Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation
    2. Water for Sustainable Development: Valuing water, the water-energy-food nexus and sustainable economic and urban development.
    3. Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment: Source to sea, biodiversity, climate, resilience and disaster risk reduction.
    4. Water for Cooperation: Transboundary and international water cooperation, cross sectoral cooperation and water across the 2030 Agenda.
    5. Water Action Decade: Accelerating the implementation of the objectives of the Decade for Action, including through the UN Secretary-General’s Action Plan.

    Purpose of the conference

    • International conferences on water aim to better align activities by governments, companies, NGOs, and funders around a few grand challenges.
    • They help countries learn from the experiences of others, transfer technology, and invest.
    • Water problems tend to be local and need local solutions, so there is a challenge of mobilizing globally to solve local water problems.

    Water challenges discussed

    water

    • While access to safe drinking water and sanitation is challenging, extending services to underserved populations is relatively uncontroversial.
    • However, improving access to water and sanitation no longer translates directly to sustained access.
    • The water problem is no longer about access to water and sanitation; the remaining SDG 6 targets address the need to sustain agriculture, industry, and natural ecosystems.

    Outcomes of the 2023 Conference

    • The conference’s proceedings resulted in a lot of talk, fragmented discussions, and no binding commitments.
    • There were 713 diverse voluntary commitments by philanthropic donors, governments, corporations, and NGOs, with 120 relevant to India.
    • Commitments included a $50-billion commitment from the Indian government to improve rural drinking water services under its Jal Jeevan Mission.

    Examples of Commitments

    • Technology: Specific innovations in wastewater treatment or solar treatment of water in remote areas, and a number of proposals for incubation platforms.
    • Data and Models: Cost-effective approaches to data-generation included sensors and satellite data. Other efforts offered data analysis tools.
    • Knowledge Sharing: One useful tool was the W12+ Blueprint, a UNESCO platform that hosts city profiles and case studies of programs, technologies, policies that addresses common water security challenges.
    • Capacity Building: Efforts offered to help marginalized communities and women understand how to exercise their rights.
    • Civil Society: Platforms for collective action by civil society groups lobbying for changes in regulations.
    • Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance: The conference concluded that effective water governance hinges on these broad areas, and weaving them into the Water Action Agenda is a step.

     

  • Places in news: Nathu La

    nathu la

    Several people have been killed and many others are feared trapped under snow after a massive avalanche near Sikkim’s Nathu La Mountain pass.

    Nathu La Pass

    Location Sikkim, on the border between India and China
    Altitude 4,310 meters (14,140 ft)
    Importance Historical Silk Route
    Trade Reopened in 2006 for border trade between India and China
    Restrictions Only for Indian and Chinese nationals with a valid visa
    Connectivity Connects the Indian state of Sikkim with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China
    Military importance Strategic importance in the Sino-Indian War of 1962
    Tourism Restricted due to the sensitive nature of the region
    Weather Harsh and unpredictable, with heavy snowfall in winter months
    Border dispute The pass was closed by China after the 1962 war and was reopened only after the Chinese president visited India in 2003.

     

    How has it been at the centre stage of India-China disputes?

    • Sino-Indian War: In 1962, Nathu La pass was a battleground between the Indian and Chinese armies during the Sino-Indian War. The conflict resulted in casualties on both sides, with China ultimately capturing the pass.
    • Skirmishes in 1967: In 1967, there were several minor skirmishes between the Indian and Chinese armies near Nathu La pass. The conflict was resolved through diplomatic negotiations.
    • Standoff in 2017: In 2017, there was a 73-day-long standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies near the Doklam plateau, which is close to Nathu La pass. The dispute was over the construction of a road by China in the disputed area. The standoff ended with both sides agreeing to disengage.

  • Carbon Pricing: The Way For Decarbonization

    Carbon

    Central Idea

    • Environmental destruction has been a consequence of boosting GDP growth in every country due to the absence of a price for natural resources like air and forests. To combat this, the biggest economies of the G-20 must agree on valuing nature, including by pricing carbon effluents. As president of the G-20 this year, India can take the lead in carbon pricing, which will open unexpected avenues of decarbonization.

    Pricing Carbon at present

    • Three ways of pricing carbon: carbon tax, emissions trading system (ETS), and import tariff on the carbon content
    • GHG emission: 46 countries price carbon, covering only 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
    • IMF’s proposed price: International Monetary Fund (IMF) proposed price floors of $75, $50, and $25 a ton of carbon for the United States, China, and India, respectively
    • Benefits: Economy-wide benefits of carbon pricing in terms of damages avoided generally outweighed the cost it imposed on individual industries in EU, British Columbia, Canada, and Sweden
    • Boost to renewables: Carbon pricing makes investment in renewable energy such as solar and wind more attractive.

    Facts for prelims

    Carbon Pricing Method Description
    Carbon Tax A domestic tax imposed on carbon emissions, directly discouraging the use of fossil fuels and raising revenue for investment in cleaner sources of energy or protection of vulnerable consumers. Example: Korea and Singapore.
    Emissions Trading System (ETS) A system that allows entities with excess emissions allowances to sell them to those that are emitting more than their allotted limit. Example: European Union and China.
    Import Tariff on Carbon Content A tax on imported goods based on the amount of carbon emissions produced during their manufacturing process, designed to discourage importing high-emissions products. Example: Proposed by the European Union.
    Carbon Offsets A voluntary mechanism in which companies or individuals pay for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These projects may include reforestation, renewable energy, or energy efficiency initiatives. The amount of emissions reduced by the project can then be used to offset the emissions of the buyer.

    Carbon pricing for India

    • Among the three ways of pricing, India could find a carbon tax appealing as it can directly discourage fossil fuels, while raising revenues which can be invested in cleaner sources of energy or used to protect vulnerable consumers
    • IMF proposed $25 a ton as a starting point for India
    • The main obstacle is the argument by industrial firms about losing their competitive advantage to exporters from countries with a lower carbon price
    • All high, middle, and low-income countries should set the same rate within each bracket

    Carbon

    Way ahead: Need for Global Carbon Pricing

    • The first movers will be the most competitive: High enough carbon tax across China, the US, India, Russia, and Japan alone (more than 60% of global effluents), with complementary actions, could have a notable effect on global effluents and warming. The first movers will be the most competitive
    • India’s leadership: India can play a lead role by tabling global carbon pricing in the existential fight against climate change as president of the G-20 summit this September
    • Communication is important: Any type of carbon pricing faces stiff political opposition therefore communicating the idea of wins at the societal level is vital.

    Back to Basics: GHG’s

    Greenhouse Gas

    		 Properties Major Sources

    Impact
    Carbon Dioxide (CO2) -Long-lived in atmosphere.

    -Traps heat from the sun

    		 – Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)

    -Deforestation

    		 – Accounts for 76% of global GHG emissions – Primary cause of climate change
    Methane (CH4) – Short-lived in atmosphere

    – Traps more heat than CO2

    		 – Agriculture (livestock digestion, manure management)

    – Energy production

    – Landfills

    		 – Accounts for 16% of global GHG emissions – Contributes to both climate change and air pollution
    Nitrous Oxide (N2O) – Long-lived in atmosphere

    – Traps more heat than CO2

    		 – Agriculture (fertilizer use, manure management)

    – Industrial processes

    – Combustion of fossil fuels

    		 – Accounts for 6% of global GHG emissions

    – Contributes to both climate change and air pollution
    Fluorinated Gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF6) – Can have high global warming potential – Industrial processes (refrigeration, air conditioning)

    – Semiconductors

    – Electrical transmission equipment

    		 – Accounts for less than 3% of global GHG emissions

    – Can have very high global warming potential
    Ozone (O3) – Not a GHG, but plays a role in climate change – Human-made chemicals that release ozone into the atmosphere – Contributes to climate change by trapping heat
    Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – Human-made chemicals that destroy ozone in the atmosphere – Used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and aerosol sprays – Contributes to climate change by destroying ozone, which leads to greater heat-trapping

    Carbon

    Conclusion

    • India can take the lead in carbon pricing as president of the G-20 this year. By pricing carbon effluents, India can promote investment in renewable energy, protect vulnerable consumers, and contribute to the global fight against climate change. However, there is a need for effective communication to ensure that the idea of carbon pricing is understood at the societal level, and any type of carbon pricing faces stiff political opposition.

  • Arctic scientists race to preserve ‘Ice Memory’

    snap

    Scientists from Italy, France, and Norway have set up camp in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago to extract samples of ancient ice for analysis before the frozen layers melt away due to climate change.

    ‘Ice Memory’ Project

    • Scientists will drill a series of tubes as far as 125 meters (137 yards) below the surface, which contains frozen geochemical traces dating back three centuries.
    • The scientists will work for three weeks in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius (-13 Fahrenheit) to extract ice.
    • The Ice Memory foundation is running the operation.
    • The ice cores will provide scientists with valuable data about past environmental conditions.

    Analysis and storage

    • One set of ice tubes will be used for immediate analysis, while a second set will be sent to Antarctica for storage in an “ice memory sanctuary” under the snow.
    • The samples will be preserved for future generations of scientists.

    Reason for drilling

    • The Arctic is warming between two and four times faster than the global average, and water from melting ice is altering the geochemical records preserved in ancient ice beneath.
    • Hence, scientists are in a race against time to preserve crucial ice records before it disappears forever from the surface of the planet.

  • Fernarium at Eravikulam National Park

    fern

    Eravikulam National Park, located in Munnar, India, is known for its natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr, and has recently introduced a new attraction – a Fernarium.

    What are Ferns?

    • Ferns are a type of vascular plant that reproduces via spores, rather than seeds.
    • They have distinctive leaves, called fronds, which are often intricately divided into smaller leaflets.
    • Ferns can grow in a wide variety of environments, from rainforests to deserts, and they play an important role in many ecosystems as a habitat for animals, as well as by providing food and shelter for a variety of other plants.

    Importance of Ferns

    • Ferns are ecological indicators of healthy forests, and the climatic conditions inside the park are suitable for growing ferns.
    • Ferns are part of the Epiphytic family and grow naturally in soilless conditions.
    • They obtain water and nutrients through leaching from trees, and a large number of ferns are found on trees inside the park.

    Fernarium @ Eravikulam

    • The Fernarium is a collection of ferns and it is the first of its kind in Munnar.
    • Currently, 52 varieties of ferns have been planted, and the plan is to cover all 104 varieties that are found in the park.
    • This initiative aims to provide visitors with awareness about the biodiversity of the park.

    Back2Basics: Eravikulam National Park

    Location Perched 7000 ft. above sea level, the Park was a former hunting preserve of British planters
    Designation Declared a Sanctuary in 1975, and a National Park in 1978
    Significance Protects the highly endangered mountain goat, Nilgiri Tahr, and is the land of the Neelakurinji flower that blooms once in twelve years
    Extent Covers an area of 97 sq. km of rolling grasslands and high-level sholas
    Climate Receives heavy showers during the southwest (June/July) and retreating (October/November) Monsoons; one of the wettest areas in the world
    Topography Undulating terrain with grass, hillocks, and sholas; highest peak south of the Himalayas, the Anamudi, is located here
    Vegetation Majorly covered with rolling grasslands, with several patches of shola forests; important flora includes Actinodaphne bourdilloni, Microtropis ramiflora, Strobilanthus Kunthianus (Neela Kurinji), etc.
    Wildlife Population 29 species of mammals, including the endemic Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Tiger, Leopard, Giant Squirrel, and wild dog; 140 species of birds, including 10 unique to the Western Ghats; more than 100 varieties of butterflies and 20 species of amphibians are also recorded here.

     

  • ICJ and Climate Justice

    Central idea: On March 29, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution that requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the obligations countries have towards climate change reduction.

    Facts for prelims: International Court of Justice (ICJ)

    • The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).
    • It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946.
    • The court is the successor to the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), which was brought into being through, and by, the League of Nations.
    • It held its inaugural sitting at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, in February 1922.
    • After World War II, the League of Nations and PCIJ were replaced by the United Nations and ICJ respectively.
    • The PCIJ was formally dissolved in April 1946, and its last president, Judge José Gustavo Guerrero of El Salvador, became the first president of the ICJ.
    • Four Indians have been members of the ICJ so far.
    • Justice Dalveer Bhandari, former judge of the Supreme Court, has been serving at the ICJ since 2012.

     

    Vanuatu seeks climate reparations

    • The resolution, which was passed by consensus, was pushed through by the Pacific Island of Vanuatu, which was devastated by Cyclone Pam in 2015.
    • This resolution is significant because it invokes article 96 of the U.N. Charter and seeks to clarify the legal obligations of states to protect the climate system.

    Resolution A/77/L.58: What does it seek?

    The draft resolution (A/77/L.58) asks the ICJ to deliberate on two questions:

    1. Obligations of states: Under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system for present and future generations
    2. Legal consequences: For states that have caused significant harm to the climate system, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and for people who are harmed?

    Frameworks invoked by Vanuatu

    The resolution refers to several international protocols, including the-

    1. Paris Agreement
    2. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and
    3. Universal Declaration of Human Rights

    What do sponsors of the resolution want?

    • The sponsors of the resolution expect an advisory opinion from the ICJ to bolster the efforts under the global climate pledge.
    • The opinion is also expected to clarify more contentious issues, such as-
    1. Climate reparations by the developed world,
    2. Legal culpability for countries that don’t achieve their NDC promises
    3. Climate support to the most vulnerable parts of the world

    Where does India stand over this?

    • India has been silent about the resolution, although it is generally supportive of climate justice and holding the developed world accountable for global warming.
    • India did not co-sponsor the draft resolution, unlike its neighbors Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

    If ICJ intervenes, what would change?

    • Only advisory opinion: The ICJ is being asked for an advisory opinion, which would not be legally binding as an ICJ judgment.
    • Puts moral obligation: The ICJ carries “legal weight and moral authority”.
    • Symbolic significance: ICJ’s clarification of international environmental laws would make the process more streamlined, particularly as the COP process looks at various issues like climate finance, climate justice, and the most recently agreed to “loss and damages” etc.

    Conclusion

    • The resolution passed by the UNGA requesting an advisory opinion from the ICJ is a step in the right direction towards clarifying the legal obligations of states to mitigate climate change and protect the environment for future generations.
    • To ensure the success of this effort, countries need to continue to engage in diplomatic efforts and work towards shared goals.
    • Countries should also actively participate in the ICJ process and respect the advisory opinion it delivers.

  • UN allows Deep Sea Mining operations from July

    mining

    Central idea: The International Seabed Authority has announced that it will start accepting applications from companies for deep sea mining from July.

    Why in news?

    • This decision was made in the absence of a mining code that has not been put in place yet.

    What is Deep Sea Mining?

    • Deep-sea mining is the process of extracting minerals from the deep ocean floor.
    • The minerals that are extracted can include valuable metals such as copper, gold, nickel, and manganese, as well as rare earth metals that are used in high-tech devices such as smartphones, computers, and electric vehicles.
    • The minerals are found in the form of polymetallic nodules that are located on the ocean floor at depths of around 4 to 6 kilometers.
    • Deep-sea mining involves the use of specially designed equipment that can withstand the extreme pressure and temperature conditions found at these depths.

    About International Seabed Authority

    • The International Seabed Authority is a Jamaica-based organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
    • The authority holds jurisdiction over the ocean floors outside of the Exclusive Economic Zones of its 167 member states.

    Reasons behind undersea mining

    • The mining is aimed at extracting cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese from the ocean’s floor.
    • The undersea mining will extract key battery materials from polymetallic nodules found at depths of 4 kilometers to 6 kilometers.
    • These nodules are potato-sized rocks containing cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese.

    Key concern: Mining code missing

    • Despite 10 years of discussion, there is no mining code in place.
    • The governing council of ISA is uncertain about the process it should adopt for reviewing applications for mining contracts.

    Issues with deep-sea mining

    • Deep-sea mining is a controversial issue that has raised concerns among non-governmental organizations, experts, and some countries.
    • One major concern is the potential damage to the seabed and the essential function of deep-sea ecosystems in regulating the climate.
    • Mining activities can also have wider impacts on fish populations, marine mammals, and other ocean life.

    Tap to read more about

    India’s Deep Ocean Mission

  • Bandipur completes 50 years as Project Tiger Reserve

    tiger

    Central idea: Bandipur completed 50 years as a Project Tiger Reserve on April 1, 2023.

    Bandipur Tiger Reserve

    • The reserve is located in the Indian state of Karnataka and is spread over an area of 912.04 sq. km.
    • It is recognized as one of the prime tiger habitats in the world and is an important component of the country’s first biosphere reserve – Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

    Tiger Population in Bandipur

    • When Project Tiger was launched in 1973, there were 12 tigers in Bandipur, according to Ramesh Kumar, director, of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
    • Today, the number of tigers utilizing the park is 173 while the number of tigers within the reserve has been pegged at 126 as per the Status of Tigers Co-predators and Prey in India, 2018.

    History of conservation efforts in Bandipur

    • Much before the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972, was passed, the erstwhile rulers of Mysuru had realized the importance of conserving flora and fauna.
    • The Mysore Game and Fish Preservation Act was passed in 1901, and several forest areas were preserved as Game Reserves, and Tiger Blocks were identified with shooting restrictions imposed.
    • Initially, an area spread over 35 sq miles was declared as a Game Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar State Forest of Mysore district in 1931 and was protected for 10 years.

    Bandipur’s inclusion in Project Tiger

    • When Project Tiger was launched in 1973, Bandipur was among the first nine reserves to be brought under the flagship program, and it included most areas that were already protected under the Venugopal Wildlife Park.
    • The park was upgraded to a national park and renamed Bandipur, and the adjacent reserve forests were included under it to extend its area to 874.20 sq km.

    Significance of the area

    • The landscape spanning Bandipur, Nagarahole, Mudumalai, and Wayanad complex is home not only to the highest number of tigers in the country – about 724 – but also to the largest Asian Elephant population.
    • The Bandipur Tiger Reserve is an important component of the country’s first biosphere reserve – Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

    Tap to read more about:

    [Sansad TV] Perspective – Project Tiger: Reclaiming Territories

     

  • Climate Justice and Accountability: Can Countries be Sued for Failing to Avert Climate Emergencies

    Central Idea

    • The UN General Assembly has asked the International Court of Justice to weigh in on whether countries can be sued under international law for failing to avert climate emergencies, reflecting the frustration of the international community with global climate agencies and the need for more effective climate action.

    Background

    • Resolution by Vanuatu: The resolution, sponsored by the small Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, was adopted unanimously, indicating global consensus on the climate crisis.
    • Delay climate action: Frustration with the procedures of global climate agencies, particularly the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), stems from their deliberations often ending in compromises that delay climate action.
    • ICJ’s decision carries moral weight: The Hague-based court’s opinion will not be binding but carries moral weight, potentially setting the stage for countries to incorporate climate justice in their legal frameworks.

    Role of ICJ and its jurisdiction

    1. Contentious: Contentious jurisdiction refers to the ICJ’s authority to resolve legal disputes between consenting states. Decisions made under contentious jurisdiction are binding
    2. Advisory:
    • Advisory jurisdiction allows the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the Security Council (SC), and other specialized bodies of the organization to request the ICJ’s opinion on a legal question.
    • The ICJ’s advisory opinions are non-binding. However, they hold significant normative weight and serve to clarify international law on relevant issues.
    • The ICJ’s advisory opinion on climate change can be useful in climate-related litigation at the national level.

    Previous attempts to address climate change in non-environmental forums

    • Global warming on agenda: Global warming has been part of the UN Security Council’s agenda since 2007, with the UNSC attempting to frame the issue from a security standpoint, rather than solely from developmental or environmental perspectives.
    • Securitization of climate change: Developing countries, including India and China, have rightly resisted the securitization of climate change, arguing that it could lead to the imposition of sanctions and other coercive measures.
    • Rights and justice: The use of rights and justice vocabulary has given the Vanuatu-sponsored proposal more traction and global support.

    Rights and justice vocabulary and recent developments

    • Climate justice: The Vanuatu-sponsored proposal emphasizes the importance of climate justice in addressing the issue.
    • Right to reparations: Countries have started asserting their right to reparations after climate emergencies, such as Pakistan after the devastating floods in 2020 and the recent discussions on loss and damage during the COP26 conference in Glasgow.
    • Rising climate litigation cases worldwide: The rise of climate litigation cases worldwide, where citizens and organizations sue governments and corporations for their failure to act on climate change, highlights the growing demand for climate justice.

    Challenges in holding countries accountable

    • Holding individual accountable: Holding individual countries or governments accountable for their climate inaction has been a major stumbling block at several climate meets.
    • Compensation issue: The Paris Agreement contains a clause specifying that the pact does not involve or provide a basis for any liability or compensation, inserted under pressure from US diplomats.
    • Adamant stance: American support for the UNGA resolution was reportedly reluctant, indicating that powerful countries might resist being held accountable for their climate inaction.

    Conclusion

    • The UNGA’s intervention should not detract from the task of reforming the UNFCCC. Institutions of the umbrella climate agency need to be more equity-sensitive and justice-oriented. Engaging with the ICJ could push it in that direction, but wealthier members of the UNFCCC must show more initiative. The growing demand for climate justice and the increasing number of climate litigation cases highlight the importance of addressing the issue in a just and equitable manner.

  • How to manage India’s Solar PV waste problem?

    solar pv

    Central idea: India is rapidly expanding its solar photovoltaic (PV) sector, but effective waste management strategies for this sector are still lacking. This article explores the challenges and gaps in solar PV waste management in India.

    solar

    Solar PV Waste in India

    • India has the world’s fourth-highest solar PV deployment, and the installed solar capacity was nearly 62 GW in November 2022.
    • A 2016 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that India could generate 50,000-3,25,000 tonnes of PV waste by 2030 and more than four million tonnes by 2050.
    • India’s solar PV installations are dominated by crystalline silicon (c-Si) technology, which mainly consists of a glass sheet, an aluminium frame, an encapsulant, a backsheet, copper wires, and silicon wafers.
    • A typical PV panel is made of c-Si modules (93%) and cadmium telluride thin-film modules (7%).

    Hazards posed by PV waste

    Some of the hazards of solar PV waste are:

    • Environmental pollution: The accumulation of solar PV waste in landfills can lead to environmental pollution, as the waste contains hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium, and other toxic chemicals. Incinerating the encapsulate also releases sulphur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and hydrogen cyanide into the atmosphere.
    • Health hazards: Improper handling and disposal of solar PV waste can lead to health hazards for workers and people living near the waste disposal sites. The toxic chemicals in the waste can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and other health issues.

    Economy behind PV waste

    • Financial losses: Improper management of solar PV waste can lead to financial losses for the companies involved in waste collection and treatment. The lack of suitable incentives and schemes in which businesses can invest leads to a small market for repurposing or reusing recycled PV waste in India.
    • Resource depletion: The disposal of solar PV waste leads to the loss of valuable resources such as silicon, silver, and other critical materials, which can lead to resource depletion.

    Recovery and Recycling of PV Waste

    • As PV panels near expiration, some portions of the frame are extracted and sold as scrap; junctions and cables are recycled according to e-waste guidelines; the glass laminate is partly recycled, and the rest is disposed of as general waste.
    • Silicon and silver can be extracted by burning the module in cement furnaces.
    • According to a 2021 report, approximately 50% of the total materials can be recovered.

    Challenges particular to India

    • India faces challenges in the collection, storage, recycling, and repurposing of PV waste.
    • Only about 20% of the waste is recovered in general, and the rest is treated informally, leading to pollution of the surroundings.
    • Gaps in PV Waste Management-
    1. Generalized as e-waste: The clubbing of PV waste with other e-waste could lead to confusion, and there is a need for specific provisions for PV waste treatment within the ambit of e-waste guidelines.
    2. Hazards are ignored: PV waste is classified as hazardous waste in India, and there is a need for pan-India sensitisation drives and awareness programmes on PV waste management.

    Why does India need to act now?

    • Considering the rate at which these panels are being installed around the country, India is expected to generate an enormous amount of waste over the next 20 years.
    • India is expected to become one of the top five leading photovoltaic waste producers worldwide by 2050.
    • Therefore, India needs to install clear policy directives, well-established recycling strategies, and greater collaboration, so that it doesn’t find itself caught unprepared against a new problem in the future.

    Key recommendations

    Policymakers should:

    • Introduce a ban on dumping of waste modules by different entities in the landfills.
    • Formulate a dedicated PV module waste management regulation.
    • Introduce incentives like green certificates to provide a level-playing field and encourage recycling and mineral recovery by the industry.

    Industries should:

    • Improve the PV module design to minimise the waste at the disposal stage. This can include sustainable design with reduced use of toxic minerals or adopting a ‘design to disassemble’ approach.
    • Invest in the second-life use of sub-standard modules to delay waste creation.
    • Collaborate with research institutes to develop recycling techniques and support pilot demonstrations.
    • Conceptualise new business models to manage and finance the waste disposal.

    Way forward

    • India needs to pay more attention to domestic R&D efforts as depending on a single module type will dis-uniformly deplete certain natural resources.
    • It is important to boost capacity for recycling and recover critical materials.
    • This can be achieved by-
    1. Formulating specific provisions for PV waste treatment,
    2. Pan-India sensitisation drives, and awareness programmes,
    3. Promoting domestic R&D efforts, and
    4. Providing appropriate infrastructure facilities and adequate funding.