EU’s new climate proposal
Context: The European Union (EU) in 2020 submitted a revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement: Of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. It also set a long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of environment, Environmental Pollution & […]
New Initiatives in Building Energy Efficiency 2021
Context: “Aiming for Sustainable Habitat: New Initiatives in Building Energy Efficiency 2021” was recently launched by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ to enhance energy efficiency in the building sector. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of Environment, Pollution Control), GS-III: Industry and Infrastructure Dimensions of the […]
Extreme weather events and climate change
Context: People around the world have been doubly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and extreme weather events which experts say have been fuelled by climate change. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Climate Change and its Impact, Conservation of Environment, Effects of Environmental Pollution) Dimensions of the Article: CEEW Study on Extreme Weather Events Extreme Weather […]
China has a carbon market now
Context: China’s national carbon market, the world’s largest emissions trading system, will begin its online trading in July 2021. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of Environment, Agreements and Treaties on Conservation of Environment and Ecology) Dimensions of the Article: What is Carbon Trading and Carbon Market About Carbon credits About Kyoto Protocol Advantages of […]
A proposed elephant reserve in Chhattisgarh
Context: The Chhattisgarh government has proposed to reduce the area of Lemru Elephant Reserve from 1,995 sq km to 450 sq km. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Important Protected Areas, Conservation of Biodiversity) Dimensions of the Article: What is Lemru Elephant Reserve? Significance of Reserve What is Project Elephant? What is Lemru Elephant Reserve? […]
In a first, Himalayan yaks to be insured
Context: Recently, the National Research Centre on Yak (NRCY) at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district has tied up with the National Insurance Company Ltd. for insuring the high-altitude yak. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: About the Himalayan Yak The Need for Insuring Yaks About the Himalayan Yak The […]
WHO on Deaths by exposure to hazardous chemicals
Context: According to latest estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) Deaths due to exposure to hazardous chemicals worldwide rose in 2019. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Pollution and Environmental degradation), GS-II: International Relations (Internal Treaties and Agreements) Dimensions of the Article: Introduction to Hazardous Chemicals Highlights of the WHO report on Hazardous Chemicals Lead […]
How India can face the tidal wave of marine plastic?
Context: According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Annual Report on Implementing the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, the plastic waste generated in 2018-19 was around 9,200 tonnes per day. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Pollution Control and Waste Management, Environmental Degradation) Dimensions of the Article: How do plastics reach water bodies? Impact of […]
Arctic’s ‘Last Ice Area’
Context: A part of the Arctic’s ice called “Last Ice Area”, located north of Greenland, has melted before expected. Scientists had believed this area was strong enough to withstand global warming. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Impact of Climate Change) Dimensions of the Article: What is the Last Ice Area? Risk faced by the […]
Impact of extreme sea-level rise: Greenpeace
Context: A recent report by Greenpeace East Asia flagged that as many as 15 million people in seven Asian cities could be affected by extreme sea-level rise and coastal flooding by 2030. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Climate Change and its issues, Environmental Pollution and Degradation) Dimensions of the Article: Trends in rising Sea Levels […]