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Subject: Environment

  • [pib] International Monsoons Project Office (IMPO)

    Union Minister of Science & Technology has launched the International Monsoons Project Office (IMPO).

    International Monsoons Project Office (IMPO)

    • IMPO will be hosted at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, an institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt of India, initially for five years.
    • Setting up the IMPO reiterates the importance of monsoons for the national economy.
    • It would encompass activities and connections related to international monsoon research that would be identified and fostered under the leadership of the World Climate Research Programme.
    • Both the World Climate Research Programme and World Weather Research Programme are international programmes coordinated by the United Nations World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

    Significance of IMPO

    • Setting up the IMPO in India would mean expanding an integrated scientific approach to solve the seasonal variability of monsoons, enhancing the prediction skill of monsoons and cyclones.
    • It would promote knowledge sharing and capacity building in areas of monsoon research crucial for agriculture, water resources and disaster management, hydropower and climate-sensitive socio-economic sectors.
    • It is a step towards making India a global hub for monsoon research and coordination in a seamless manner for addressing common and region-specific aspects of the monsoons around the world.

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    Back2Basics:

    Various terms related to Indian Monsoon

  • Plastic waste Management

    Context

    The UN Environment Assembly meeting in February-March 2022 may finalise a way forward for global cooperation on the emissions of plastic waste into the aquatic ecosystems.

    Plastic as a consumption externality

    • Plastics represent an example of a consumption externality, which involves many people, rather than a production externality, which involves one or multiple firms.
    • Why is it challenging to address? Consumption externality is more challenging to address, as it is difficult to differentiate the behaviour of consumers.

    2 Approaches and issues with them

    • Imposing the cost of the harm on all consumers may not yield efficient solutions.
    • As the number of consumers is high, the cost of controlling them is also high.
    • 1] Banning plastic: This approach promotes a sustainable environment, intergenerational equity, saves marine and wildlife ecosystems, and restores soil quality.
    • But it also causes inconvenience for consumers, increases substitution cost, and creates unemployment shocks as it affects the production of plastics, leading to less economic activity, less income generation and finally less employment.
    • 2] Tax on plastic: Other key aspects that may be considered for global cooperation are the options if plastics are banned, the effectiveness of imposing tax and the potential problems with both these approaches.
    • It is difficult to identify the exact tax to be imposed, which may depend on country-specific circumstances.

    Way forward

    1] Command and control approach

    • The environment regulation for plastics may include a ‘command and control’ approach, and fiscal reforms like eco-taxes or subsidies.
    • The efficiency of such a regulation depends on its architecture — how well it is planned, designed and executed. It should be credible, transparent and predictable.

    2] Fiscal reforms like eco-taxes or subsidies

    • Eco-taxes may be imposed in the various stages of production, consumption or disposal of plastics.
    • Pollution due to plastics may happen during the production stage.
    • That is the logic for imposing tax on polluting inputs, as it forces the producer to look for cleaner substitutes.
    • Pollution also occurs during the consumption stage, and thus an eco-tax is recommended to discourage consumption.

    3] Estimating the social cost at the local and global level

    • Social cost should be evaluated differently in the local/regional and global contexts.
    • While health and hygiene are predominant considerations in the former case, climate change is the predominant consideration in the latter.
    • Ideally, eco-tax rates on plastics ought to be equal to the marginal social cost arising from the negative externality associated with production, consumption or disposal of goods and services.

    Comprehensive policy measures

    • Comprehensive policy measures against plastics may generally involve three complementary activities:
    • 1] The removal of existing taxes and subsidies that have a negative environmental impact.
    • 2] Taking into account the different types or grades of plastics.
    • 3] Restructuring existing taxes in an environmentally friendly manner.
    • Other suggestions include: Promoting multiple use of plastics through better waste management,
    • Educating the public on the harmful use of plastics,
    • Providing subsidy for research and development activity for substitute development.
    • Appropriate disposal mechanisms and waste management and use of waste for constructive usage like roads.

    Conclusion

    The key aspects that may be considered for global cooperation are the options if plastics are banned, the effectiveness of imposing tax and the potential problems with both these approaches.

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  • Species in news: Dugong

    India’s first Dugong conservation reserve will be built in Tamil Nadu for the conservation of Dugong, a marine mammal.

    Dugong Conservation Reserve

    • The reserve will spread over an area of 500 km in Palk Bay on the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu.
    • Palk Bay is a semi-enclosed shallow water body with a water depth maximum of 13 meters.
    • Located between India and Sri Lanka along the Tamil Nadu coast, the dugong is a flagship species in the region.

    Dugong: The sea cow

    • Dugong or the sea cow is the State animal of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
    • This endangered marine species survive on seagrass and other aquatic vegetation found in the area.
    • It is the only herbivorous mammal that is strictly marine and is the only extant species in the family Dugongidae.
    • Dugongs are usually about three-meter long and weigh about 400 kg.
    • Dugongs have an expanded head and trunk-like upper lip.
    • Elephants are considered to be their closest relatives. However, unlike dolphins and other cetaceans, sea cows have two nostrils and no dorsal fin.

    Their habitat

    • Distributed in shallow tropical waters in the Indo-Pacific region, in India, they are found in the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
    • Dugongs are long-living animals, that have a low reproductive rate, long generation time, and high investment in each offspring.
    • The female dugongs do not bear their first calf until they are at least 10 and up to 17 years old.
    • A dugong population is unlikely to increase more than 5% per year. They take a long time to recover due to the slow breeding rate.

    Causes of extinction

    • Having being declared vulnerable, the marine animal calls for conserving efforts.
    • Studies have suggested the reasons for the extinction of the animal such as slow breeding rate, fishing, and the loss of habitat.
    • They are also known to suffer due to accidental entanglement and drowning in gill-nets.

    Conservation in India

    • The conservation reserve can promote growth and save vulnerable species from the verge of extinction.
    • Dugongs are protected in India under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Act 1972 which bans the killing and purchasing of dugong meat.
    • IUCN status: Vulnerable

    Try answering this PYQ:

    Q. With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
    2. It is found along the entire coast of India.
    3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1974.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 3 only

     

     

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  • Fire Ready Formula by UNEP

    The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has called on global governments to adopt a new ‘Fire Ready Formula,’ as it warned that incidences of wildfires would rise in the future.

    What is the Fire Ready Formula?

    • The new formula envisages that 66 per cent of spending be devoted to planning, prevention, preparedness and recovery.
    • The remaining 34 per cent can be spent on response.

    New “Fire Ready Formula” focuses on Planning and Prevention  

    Serial No Budget item Percentage share of the total on  wildfire management  recommended
    1 Planning 1 %
    2 Prevention 32 %
    3 Preparedness 13 %
    4 Response 34 %
    5 Recovery 20 %

    Why need such a formula?

    • The UNEP report projected that the number of wildfires is likely to increase by up to 14 per cent by 2030.
    • Integrated wildfire management was key to adapting to current and future changes in global wildfire risk, the UNEP.
    • There is a need to invest more in fire risk reduction, work with local communities and strengthen global commitment to fight climate change.
    • Achieving and sustaining adaptive land and fire management requires a combination of policies, a legal framework and incentives that encourage appropriate land and fire use.

    Back2Basics: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

    • UNEP is responsible for coordinating responses to environmental issues within the United Nations system.
    • It was established by Maurice Strong, its first director, after the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in June 1972.
    • Its mandate is to provide leadership, deliver science and develop solutions on a wide range of issues, including climate change, the management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and green economic development.
    • UNEP hosts the secretariats of several multilateral environmental agreements and research bodies, including:

    1.      Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),

    2.      Minamata Convention on Mercury,

    3.      Convention on Migratory Species and

    4.      Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

    • In 1988, the World Meteorological Organization and UNEP established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
    • UNEP is also one of several Implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

     

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  • What are CRZ norms?

    The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) inspected a bungalow owned by a Union Minister for alleged violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

    What is the news?

    • The Union Minister’s bungalow named has been illicitly constructed within 50 metres of the sea in violation of the CRZ rules.
    • The crackdown assumes significance in the escalating verbal spats between the two political rivals (which were allies for years).

    What are CRZ norms?

    • In India, the CRZ Rules govern human and industrial activity close to the coastline, in order to protect the fragile ecosystems near the sea.
    • They restrict certain kinds of activities — like large constructions, setting up of new industries, storage or disposal of hazardous material, mining, reclamation and bunding — within a certain distance from the coastline.
    • After the passing of the Environment Protection Act in 1986, CRZ Rules were first framed in 1991.
    • After these were found to be restrictive, the Centre notified new Rules in 2011, which also included exemptions for the construction of the Navi Mumbai airport and for projects of the Department of Atomic Energy.
    • While the CRZ Rules are made by the Union environment ministry, implementation is to be ensured by state governments through their Coastal Zone Management Authorities.

    Where do they apply?

    • In all Rules, the regulation zone has been defined as the area up to 500 m from the high-tide line.
    • The restrictions depend on criteria such as the population of the area, the ecological sensitivity, the distance from the shore, and whether the area had been designated as a natural park or wildlife zone.
    • The latest Rules have a no-development zone of 20 m for all islands close to the mainland coast, and for all backwater islands in the mainland.

    New Rules under CRZ regulations

    • The government notified new CRZ Rules with the stated objectives of promoting sustainable development and conserving coastal environments.
    • For the so-called CRZ-III (Rural) areas, two separate categories have been stipulated.
    • In the densely populated rural areas (CRZ-IIIA) with a population density of 2,161 per sq km as per the 2011 Census, the no-development zone is now 50 m from the high-tide level, as against the 200 m stipulated earlier.
    • In the CRZ-IIIB category (rural areas with population density below 2,161 per sq km) continue to have a no-development zone extending up to 200 m from the high-tide line.
    • The new Rules have a no-development zone of 20 m for all islands close to the mainland coast, and for all backwater islands in the mainland.

     

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  • EV Battery Swapping Policy

    NITI Aayog is holding a consultation on the upcoming electric vehicle (EV) battery swapping policy.

    What is BaaS?

    • Battery-as-a-service (BaaS) is seen as a viable charging alternative.
    • Manufacturers can sell EVs in two forms: Vehicles with fixed or removable batteries and vehicles with batteries on lease.
    • If you buy an electric scooter with battery leasing, you do not pay for the cost of the battery—that makes the initial acquisition almost 40% cheaper.
    • Users can swap drained batteries for a fully charged one at a swap station. The depleted batteries are then charged on or off-site.
    • The advantages of swapping include low downtimes for commercial fleets, reduced space requirements, and lower upfront costs.
    • It is also a viable solution for those who don’t have parking spots at home.

    What is battery interoperability?

    • That’s when a battery is compatible across vehicles and chargers, so you can seamlessly swap a battery at any swap station. This can help achieve scale.
    • However, manufacturer and service providers say there are safety concerns around the ‘one-size-fits-all’ model and caution too much standardization can kill innovation.

    Why hasn’t BaaS taken off yet?

    • There are economic and operational constraints.
    • Energy service providers offering swapping solutions have to charge 18% goods and services tax (GST) for swapping, compared to 5% GST on the purchase of an EV.
    • Additionally, the government’s FAME-II incentives are not offered to vehicles sold with BaaS or swap station operators.
    • While these are economic disadvantages compared to direct charging solutions, the lack of a dense and interoperable battery swap infrastructure has also hindered the roll-out.
    • Manufacturers, on the other hand, are keen to create proprietary battery and charging systems.

    Issues with BaaS

    • There is a need for standardization of safety specifications  as well as  the battery.
    • Swapping in the various permutations and combinations of batteries at a station  where  they  have not been tested for compatibility could lead to safety hazards.
    • Also, mandating only one type of battery to  be eligible for  concessions  would be  disadvantageous  to  many  players.

    Who offers BaaS in India?

    • Bengaluru-based startup Bounce is the first e-two-wheeler maker to sell its scooters with BaaS, and claims to have achieved a million battery swaps.
    • Others like Ola Electric and Ather have stuck to direct charging solutions, while Hero Electric offers both fixed and removable batteries.
    • Many makers are working with energy service providers to offer battery swapping.
    • The global precedent is a mixed bag: Ample, which offers swaps in the US, has found success with commercial fleets, while most personal users charge at home.

    Why is Battery Swapping needed?

    • High Cost of EVs: An EV, by industry standards, is 1.5-2x costlier than IC Engine counterpart and at least half the cost is from the battery pack.
    • Cost reduction: Many manufacturers are offering batteries separately from a vehicle, reducing the cost. In that case, a fleet owner can buy vehicles without battery and utilize battery swapping.
    • Range Anxiety: Another major reason stopping people from buying EVs is range anxiety, or in simple terms, the fear of battery getting empty without finding a charging station.
    • Inadequate charging infrastructure: Unlike petrol pumps, EV charging stations are rare to spot and that further increases the range anxiety exponentially, especially while going on a road trip.
    • Hazard management: In case of a Swapping Station, one can simply locate a station, go and replace the empty battery with a new one.

     

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  • Green Hydrogen Policy

     

    The Ministry of Power has notified the first part of the National Hydrogen Mission policy on green hydrogen and green ammonia, aimed to boost production of hydrogen and ammonia using renewable energy.

    What is green hydrogen?

    • Green hydrogen is hydrogen gas produced through electrolysis of water.
    • It is an energy intensive process for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen— using renewable power to achieve this.

    Key takeaways of the Green Hydrogen Policy

    • The new policy offers 25 years of free power transmission for any new renewable energy plants set up to supply power for green hydrogen production before July 2025.
    • This means that a green hydrogen producer will be able to set up a solar power plant in Rajasthan to supply renewable energy to a green hydrogen plant in Assam.
    • It would not be required to pay any inter-state transmission charges.

    What are the incentives?

    • The government is set to provide a single portal for all clearances required for setting up green hydrogen production.
    • It will facilitate producers to transfer any surplus renewable energy generated with discoms for upto 30 days and use it as required.
    • The requirement of time bound clearances for these projects would spur investment while grid connectivity on priority will ease operational processes.
    • The energy plants set up to produce green hydrogen/ammonia would be given connectivity to the grid on a priority basis.
    • State DISCOMS may also procure renewable energy to supply green hydrogen producers but will be required to do so at a concessional rate.
    • Such procurement would also count towards a state’s Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) under which it is required to procure a certain proportion of its requirements from renewable energy sources.

    Facilities to boost export

    • Under the policy port authorities will also provide land at applicable charges to green hydrogen and green ammonia producers to set up bunkers near ports for storage prior to export.
    • Germany and Japan could be key markets for green hydrogen produced in India.

    Why such move?

    • The move is likely going to make it more economical for key users of hydrogen and ammonia such as the oil refining, fertiliser and steel sectors to produce green hydrogen for their own use.
    • These sectors currently use grey hydrogen or grey ammonia produced using natural gas or naphtha.

     

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  • [pib] Extended Producers Responsibility on Plastic Packaging

    The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has notified the Guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility on plastic packaging under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

    What is EPR?

    • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) means the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product (plastic packaging) until the end of its life.
    • India had first introduced EPR in 2011 under the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, and E-Waste Management and Handling Rules, 2011.

    What are the new EPR rules for Plastic Waste?

    (A) Plastic packaging

    • The new EPR guidelines cover three categories of plastic packaging including:
    1. Rigid plastic
    2. Flexible plastic packaging of a single layer or multilayer (more than one layer with different types of plastic), plastic sheets and covers made of plastic sheet, carry bags (including carrying bags made of compostable plastics), plastic sachet or pouches
    3. Multi-layered plastic packaging has at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic.
    • It has also specified a system whereby makers and users of plastic packaging can collect certificates — called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificates — and trade in them.

    (B) Ineligible plastics for EPR

    • Only a fraction of plastic that cannot be recycled will be eligible to be sent for end-of-life disposals such as road construction, waste to energy, waste to oil, and cement kilns.
    • Only methods prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board will be permitted for their disposal.

    Targets for recycling

    • In 2024, a minimum of 50% of their rigid plastic (category 1) will have to be recycled as will 30% of their category 2 and 3 plastic.
    • Every year will see progressively higher targets and after 2026-27, 80% of their category 1 and 60% of the other two categories will need to be recycled.
    • If entities cannot fulfill their obligations, they will on a “case by case basis” be permitted to buy certificates making up for their shortfall.

    Effects on non-compliance

    • Non-compliance, however, will not invite a traditional fine.
    • Instead, an “environmental compensation” will be levied, though the rules do not specify how much this compensation will be.

    Challenges in mandatory EPR

    There are several challenges faced by both producers and bulk consumers that hinder proactive participation.

    • Consumer awareness: Waste segregation has been the greatest challenge in India owing to the lack of consumer awareness.
    • Lack of compliance: The plastic producers do not wish to engage in the process holistically and take the effort to build awareness.
    • Large-scale involvement: The EPR doesn’t take into account the formalization of informal waste pickers, aggregators, and dismantlers.
    • Lack of recycling infrastructure: These challenges range from lack of handling capacity to illegitimate facilities in the forms of multiple accounting of waste, selling to aggregators, and leakages.

    Way forward

    • Tracking mechanism: Develop tracking mechanisms and provide oversight of waste compliance, in order to ensure that the mechanism of waste disposal is streamlined.
    • Strict enforcement: While enforcement strictness is of paramount importance, it is also vital to build an incentive structure around this to ensure better complicity by the producers.
    • Innovation: The time is ripe for innovators to come up with an alternative for plastics and the strong will of the Government to rid the toxic waste in a sustainable and safe manner.

    Try answering this PYQ:

    Q.In India, ‘extended producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following?

    (a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998

    (b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999

    (c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011

    (d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”sv9ethomi6″ question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • Places in news: Erra Matti Dibbalu

    Citizens join hands to preserve the geological marvel of Erra Matti Dibbalu in Visakhapatnam.

    What is Erra Matti Dibbalu?

    • Located between Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam, the Erra Matti Dibbalu are rare red sand dunes that are a reminder of the million years of geological processes.
    • Its towering red sand dunes with patches of greenery is like a meandering maze.
    • The width of the dunes, which runs for five kilometres along the coast, varies from 200 metres to two kilometres.
    • It is listed among the 34 notified National Geological Heritage Monument Sites of India by the Geological Survey of India.

    (Don’t they resemble to Ravines of Chambal?)

    Its formation

    • Studies indicate that the area was tectonically active between 2.5 million years and 11,000 years ago.
    • The sediments are mainly derived from the Khondalite rocks from the hinterland of the Eastern Ghats.
    • Geologically these red sand dune sediments particularly hold significance.
    • They are the result of the combined effect of numerous factors including global climatic changes, sea-level variations, monsoonal variability and as a result serves as valuable paleo-environment indicators.

     

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  • ‘climate smart’ agriculture

    Context

    In the backdrop of the 2070 carbon neutrality target set by India at the CoP26 in Glasgow, the Union Budget for 2022-23 has listed “climate action” and “energy transition” as one of the four priorities for the Amrit Kaal.

    Climate related announcement in Budget 2022-23

    • An additional allocation of Rs 19,500 crore for solar PV modules has been made.
    • The finance minister also talked of co-firing of 5-7 per cent of biomass pellets in thermal power plants, “sovereign green bonds” and a “battery-swapping policy”.
    • These are positive steps towards making the energy and transport sectors less polluting.

    How agriculture impact environement

    • Agriculture contributes 73 per cent of the country’s methane emissions. 
    • Third largest emitter: India has kept away from the recent EU-US pledge to slash methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, despite the country being the world’s third largest emitter of methane.
    • As per the national GHG inventory, the agriculture sector emits 408 MMT of carbon-dioxide equivalent and rice cultivation is the third highest source (17.5 per cent) of GHG emissions in Indian agriculture after enteric fermentation (54.6 per cent) and fertiliser use (19 per cent).
    • Paddy fields are anthropogenic sources of atmospheric nitrous oxide and methane, which have been reckoned as 273 and 80-83 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in driving temperature increase in 20 years’ (Sixth Assessment Report IPCC 2021).
    • Moreover, paddy fields require about 4,000 cubic metres of water per tonne of rice for irrigation.
    •  There is scientific evidence that intermittent flooding reduces water and methane emissions but increases nitrous oxide emissions.
    • Thus, lowering of methane emissions through controlled irrigation does not necessarily mean net low emissions. 
    • Role of subsidies and procurement policies: The environmental damage caused by agriculture is largely a result of the various kinds of subsidies — on urea, canal irrigation and power for irrigation — as well as the minimum support prices (MSP) and procurement policies concentrated on a few states and largely on two crops, rice, and wheat.

    Excess rice and wheat stock

    • As of January 1, the stocks of wheat and rice in the country’s central pool were four times higher than the buffer stocking requirement.
    • Rice stocks with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) are seven times the buffer norms for rice.
    • The financial value of these excessive grain stocks is Rs 2.14 lakh crore, of which Rs 1.66 lakh crore is because of excess rice stocks — as per the economic cost of rice and wheat given by the FCI.
    • All this does not just reflect inefficient use of scarce capital, the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) embedded in these stocks is also large.

    Way forward

    • Carbon tax: According to the IMF, the world needs a carbon tax of $ 75 per tonne by 2030 to reduce emissions to a level consistent with a 2 degree Celsius warming target.
    • India does not have an explicit carbon-price yet, but many countries have begun to implement carbon pricing.
    • Revisiting policies: The Economic Survey 2021-22 points out that the country is over-exploiting its ground water resource (see map), particularly in the northwest and some parts of south India.
    • This calls for revisiting policies to subsidise power and fertilisers, MSP and procurement and reorient them towards minimising GHG emissions.
    • Farmer groups and the private sector can be mobilised to develop carbon markets in agriculture, both at the national and international levels, which can reward farmers in cash for switching from carbon-intensive crops to lower GHG emissions.

    Consider the question “Elaborate on the impact of agriculture on the environment. Suggest the changes needed in Indian agriculture policies to reduce the impact.”

    Conclusion

    Such a move towards “net-zero” agriculture will give India a “climate smart” agriculture in Amrit Kaal. And, if we can protect productivity levels with a low-carbon footprint, it will help India to access global markets too.

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