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Climate Financing

GS Paper 3: Climate Change; Climate Financing

Context-:
The UAE, hosting COP28, pledged $30 billion for a fund to channel private sector funds into climate initiatives and enhance financing for the Global South.

Objective-:
The fund was “specifically designed to bridge the climate finance gap” and stimulate further investment of $250 billion by 2030.

What is climate finance?
Climate finance refers to large-scale investments required for actions aiming to mitigate or adapt to the consequences of climate change.

Adaptation-:
Adaptation involves anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimize the damage it can cause.
One example of adaptation measures includes building infrastructure to protect coastal communities against sea-level rise.


Mitigation-:
Mitigation involves reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere so that the impacts of climate change are less severe.
Mitigation is done by increasing the share of renewable energy sources, expanding forest cover, etc.


Why Climate Finance -:

  • Developing countries insist that developed nations should offer financial aid to address climate change, attributing the issue to emissions from the now affluent nations over the past 150 years.
  • That’s why, the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) — the mother agreement under which COP summits have been taking place — required high-income countries to provide climate finance to the developing world.
  • Written commitments for financial support to developing countries did not materialize until 2009 when developed nations agreed to provide $100 billion annually by 2020.
  • In 2010, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established as a key delivery mechanism.
  • The 2015 Paris Agreement reinforced this target and extended it to 2025. However, the high-income countries are yet to fulfill their pledge.

How much climate finance is needed-:
  • Developing countries need $5.8 trillion by 2030, as per a 2021 UNFCCC analysis, to meet their climate goals outlined in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
  • This amounts to approximately $600 billion annually, significantly less than the commitment made by developed nations.
  • The figures may be underestimated due to a lack of data and tools in some countries, as noted by the London School of Economics.
  • The UNFCCC estimate does not factor in the substantial costs incurred by governments dealing with extreme weather events caused by climate change.
  • COP27 in 2022 introduced a funding mechanism for loss and damage, launched in COP28, but its scale and replenishment cycle remain unclear.
  • In 2022, economist Nicholas Stern estimated a need for $2 trillion yearly by 2030 to assist developing countries in reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts.


How much climate finance is being provided-:
  • The OECD reported that rich countries provided $83.3 billion in climate finance to low-income countries in 2020.
  • Oxfam disputed the figure, claiming the true value was only $21-24.5 billion, accusing developed countries of misleading accounting.
  • Higher-income countries have faced criticism for offering most of the funds as non-concessional loans, contributing to increased debt pressures, as per a UN report.
  • A CARE International study revealed that 52% of climate finance from 2011 to 2020 by 23 rich countries was diverted from development budgets, impacting health, education, women's rights, and other essential programs.
  • The study suggests that while calls for more climate finance are crucial, current practices risk diverting funds from critical development priorities.

Related Search-:
Loss and Damage Fund
Nationally Determined Contribution

Prelims Specific-:
What is climate Finance
Need and Significance
COP 28
Green Climate Fund


Crime in India 2022: NCRB Insights and Trends

GS Paper 2: Governance/Social Justice

Context-:
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its annual report on crime in India for the year 2022.
The states/ UTs reporting the highest chargesheet rate under IPC crimes are Kerala (96.0%), Puducherry (91.3%), and West Bengal (90.6%).

Key Highlights-:

  • Total Cognizable Crimes (2022):

Registered crimes in 2022: 58,24,946, consisting of 35,61,379 IPC crimes and 22,63,567 SLL crimes.

Decline of 4.5% compared to 2021, the second pandemic year.

  • Crime Rate Decline:

Crime rate per lakh population: Reduced from 445.9 (2021) to 422.2 (2022).

A more reliable indicator, considering population growth.

  • Crimes Against Women (2022):

Cases of crime against women: 4,45,256, a 4% increase from 2021.

Dominant categories: 'Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives' (31.4%), 'Kidnapping & Abduction of Women' (19.2%), and 'Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage her Modesty' (18.7%).

  • Cyber Crimes (2022)-:

Cybercrime reporting surged by 24.4 percentage points to 65,893 cases.

Primary categories: Fraud (64.8%), extortion (5.5%), sexual exploitation (5.2%).

  • Suicides (2022)-:

Suicides reported: 1,70,924, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021.

Leading causes: 'Family Problems (other than marriage-related problems)' (31.7%), 'Marriage Related Problems' (4.8%), and 'Illness' (18.4%).

The male-to-female ratio of suicide victims: is 71.8:28.2.


About NCRB-:
The NCRB was established in January 1986 as a body mandated to compile and keep records of data on crime.
It also acts as a “national warehouse” for the fingerprint records of Indian and foreign criminals, and assists in locating interstate criminals through fingerprint search.

NCRB Reports-:

  • The report is a compilation of data on reported crime from across the country and provides the big picture of broad trends in crime registration.
  • Reports by the NCRB, which functions under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, include statistics on offenses ranging from crimes against women to economic and financial crimes.
  • For the NCRB’s flagship annual Crime in India reports, information is obtained from the police forces of 36 states and Union Territories.
  • Similar data are furnished for 53 cities with populations exceeding 10 lakh each as per the 2011 Census, by respective state-level crime records bureaus.
  • The information is entered by state/UT police at the level of the local police station and is validated at the levels of the district and state, and finally, by the NCRB.

Challenges in Data Collection-:

  • Principal Offence Rule:

NCRB follows this rule, where the most severe crime in a single FIR is considered the counting unit.

Example: 'Murder with Rape' counted as 'Murder,' leading to potential undercounting of rape.

  • Data Compilation Challenges:

NCRB report relies on data submitted at the local level.

Inefficiencies or gaps in local data impact report accuracy.

  • Socio-Economic Factors Not Captured:

NCRB acknowledges that socio-economic factors influencing crimes are not captured.

The underlying reasons for crimes may not be reflected in the report.

  • Underreporting and Police Response:

Certain groups may not report cases due to fear of an uncooperative or hostile police response.

A shortage of police officers or unfilled vacancies at the local level may hinder data collection.


Related Search-:
Crime Against Woman
Crime Against SC and ST

Prelims Specific-:
About NCRB
About NCRB Crime Report
Key Highlights
Challenges

Transforming agri-food systems

GS Paper 3: Food processing and related industries

Context:

A groundbreaking report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), published earlier this month, has laid bare the staggering hidden costs of our global agrifood systems.

    • In middle-income countries like India, these costs constitute nearly 11% of the GDP.
    • It manifests as higher poverty, environmental harm, and health-related impacts, including undernourishment and unhealthy dietary patterns.

Intensive agriculture:
  • Intensive agriculture refers to a farming technique that maximizes the yield of crops or livestock from a given area of land.
  • It involves using high inputs of labour, capital, fertilizers, pesticides, and technology to increase production.
  • This method aims to extract the highest possible output from the available resources, often through practices like monoculture (cultivating a single crop), irrigation, mechanization, and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.


Impacts of intensive agriculture-:
  • Green Revolution Impact:
    • Focused on high-yielding paddy and wheat varieties, comprising over 70% of India's agricultural production.
    • Adoption of seeds from multinational corporations and chemical fertilizers led to reduced seed sovereignty, eroded traditional knowledge, and shifted from diverse crops to monoculture, affecting nutritional diversity and ecological balance.
    • Overexploitation of groundwater resources resulted from this shift.
  • Effects on Agriculture and Households:
    • Privatization and deregulation of agricultural inputs increased indebtedness among farming households.
    • Comparing 1992 to 2013, a 630% increase in the debt-to-asset ratio of Indian farmer households was recorded.
    • Unviability of agriculture is evident in the average monthly income of farming households, standing at ₹10,816.


Crops being favoured-:

  • Food Procurement Dynamics

Food Corporation of India (FCI) coordinates food crop procurement.

FCI heavily favours rice and wheat, procuring 341.32 lakh MT of wheat and 514.27 lakh MT of rice in 2019-2020.

  • Water-Intensive Cash Crops:-

Policies favouring crops like sugarcane and areca nut through investments in irrigation have thrived.

  • Global Food System Influence:-

Fluctuations in global soya prices between 2012 and 2016 negatively affected income for soy farmers and agro-companies in Malwa.

Historical global trade relations influenced food production in the Global South, as seen in the pre-independence era's tax systems for enforced exports of primary raw materials like cotton.


Way Forward (Crop diversification)-:

  • Shift to Global Food Chains:

The transition from local to global food chains is necessary to address systemic issues.

Local initiatives, like farm diversification, could be pivotal in initiating change.

  • Agroecology and Diversified Farming:

Agroecology-based diversified multi-cropping systems, like 'akkadi saalu' in Karnataka, integrate various crops, trees, and livestock, rejuvenating degraded land.


Challenges and Potential-:

  • Alternative farming might decrease farmer income despite environmental benefits.
  • However, the FAO highlights "hidden costs" in current systems, urging long-term evaluations that consider these factors.
  • Millets, with comparable yields to rice and wheat, are more nutritious, eco-friendly, and thrive in semi-arid conditions, offering a diverse food source.
  • While diversification might reduce productivity based on traditional metrics, it preserves natural capital and enhances nutritional security.
  • Redirecting subsidies from corporations to incentivize farmers for sustaining natural resources can be a crucial step in this direction.


Related Search:
FCI
UN Food and Agriculture Organisation

Prelims Specific:
Intensive agriculture
Impacts of intensive agriculture
Favoured Crops
About Crop diversification
Challenges and Potential of Crop diversification


Socio-economic changes in the lower Cauvery delta

GS Paper 3: Major crops cropping patterns

Context:
The lower Cauvery delta was known for its cultivation of rice and agricultural surplus has declined as a hub of rice cultivation.

Decline in Delta's Rice Cultivation-:
Survey data from 2018-2019 reveals a decline in the delta's prominence as a rice cultivation hub.
It is attributed to reduced water availability due to altered water-sharing arrangements between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
From a double-cropped to a single rice-crop region during the 'green revolution,' it reverted to a single-crop status with decreased rice yields in Palakurichi village.


Reasons for Crop Pattern Changes-:
Apart from erratic Cauvery water supply, unaddressed agricultural policies aggravated the shift in crop patterns.
Lack of suitable crops for altered water availability and outdated irrigation systems contributed to this change.
Recurring droughts (2000-2002, 2008, 2012, 2016) and Cyclone Gaja's impact in 2018 emphasized the need for adapted agricultural policies.

Absence of Economic Diversification-:
Despite the decline in green revolution gains, no significant alternative economic activities emerged in the surveyed villages, aside from rice production.
The region lacks new sources of economic activity, indicating a heavy reliance on rice cultivation without diversification.


Social Differences-:

  • Land Ownership and Inequality:
      • Despite some easing of oppression, landlords maintain significant hierarchy and land concentration.
      • Top landlord families, a small percentage of households, own a large portion of agricultural land without actively participating in agricultural operations.
      • Landlessness remains high, but there's a historic change as some Dalit households now own land, altering the traditional land ownership structure.
  • Content Structure:
      • The volume is divided into five sections, starting with village descriptions and socio-economic profiles.
      • Authors analyze classes, emphasizing a prevalent wage labor class engaged in various agricultural and non-agricultural jobs.
      • Other sections delve into irrigation, landholdings, livestock, assets, credit, indebtedness, earnings, living standards, and the impact of COVID-19, providing comprehensive insights from empirical 2019 household surveys.


River Cauvery (Kaveri)-:

  • It's named 'Ponni' in Tamil and holds a revered status as a river in southern India.
  • Originating from the Brahmagiri Hill in southwestern Karnataka.
  • It courses southeastward through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, culminating its journey by cascading through the Eastern Ghats before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Pondicherry.
    • Left Bank Tributaries:- include Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Shimsa, and Harangi. 
    •  Right Bank Tributaries:- encompass Lakshmantirtha, Suvarnavati, Noyil, Bhavani, Kabini, and Amaravathi.


About Cauvery Delta-:
The Cauvery delta region is an important agricultural region in Tamil Nadu.
It has been seen that in the last four decades, Tamil Nadu’s food dependence on the delta has fallen from 65% to 40%.
Hydrocarbon wells are one of the major reasons behind the same.
This deltaic region is renowned for its rich alluvial soil and a network of irrigation canals that support extensive agriculture, especially the cultivation of rice and other crops.
The delta has a unique cultural heritage, with its historical significance reflected in ancient temples, art, and literature.


Related Search:
Cauvery water dispute
Cauvery River

Prelims Specific:
Specific crop of Cauvery delta
Reason for Decline in Delta's Rice Cultivation
Social Differences in Cauvery delta cultivation
About River Cauvery (Kaveri), Cauvery Delta



COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health

GS Paper 2 & 3:  Environmental Pollution and degradation, Climate change, Government Plan and Policies

Context:

India has refused to sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health, due to the lack of practicality in curbing greenhouse gases used for cooling in the health sector, as the reason.

India has said that it would not be possible to fulfill the same within the short term.


India's Concern-:

  • India expressed concerns that greenhouse gas reduction for cooling in the health sector could hinder its ability to meet the growing demands for medical services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
  • The Indian Health Ministry did not participate in Health Day but India extended support to the ministerial hosted by the COP28 Presidency, the World Health Organisation, and the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention

Health Day-:
Health Day is the first-ever effort under COP28, to elevate the visibility of health in climate change policies.
On December 3rd COP 28, host a health ministerial meeting, and feature a declaration on climate and health.

About Declaration on Climate and Health-:
    • The 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) Declaration on Climate and Health was signed by 123 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and the European Union.
    • The declaration calls for climate action to achieve "benefits for health from deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, including from just transitions, lower air pollution, active mobility, and shifts to sustainable healthy diets".
    • It encourages investment, sharing best practices, and assessing the greenhouse gas emissions of health systems.
    • The declaration also says that countries should implement a One Health approach that integrates people, animals, and the environment.
    • It was announced that $1 billion in financing for climate and health is to be provided by the Rockefeller Foundation, Green Climate Fund, Asian Development Bank, and Global Fund, among other funding agencies.
Related Search-:
Climate Financing.
Health Impact of Climate Change.

Prelims Specific-:
Declaration on Climate and Health
India's Concern
Health Day
COP 28


Mount Marapi

Context:

Indonesia’s Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province erupted, spewing white-and-grey ash plumes for more than 3,000 meters (about 9,800 feet) into the air.

Details-:

      • Mount Marapi, also known as Mount Merapi (not to be confused with the more active Mount Merapi in Java), is a stratovolcano located in West Sumatra, Indonesia.
      • Mount Marapi is situated in the province of West Sumatra, on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia.
      • It is a stratovolcano, which means it is characterized by its steep slopes and a conical shape formed by layers of hardened lava, ash, and volcanic rocks.

Pacific Ring of Fire-:
      • The Pacific Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped zone in the Pacific Ocean basin characterized by high seismic and volcanic activity.
      • It includes the coasts of North and South America, the Aleutian Islands, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, New Zealand, and various island nations in the South Pacific.
      • The Ring of Fire is home to about 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes.
      • It contains a large number of active stratovolcanoes, which are characterized by their steep, conical shapes.

Tectonic Plates-:
      • The intense seismic and volcanic activity in the Ring of Fire is closely related to the movement of several major tectonic plates, including the Pacific Plate, North American Plate, South American Plate, Eurasian Plate, Philippine Sea Plate, and others.
      • The interactions between these plates result in subduction zones, volcanic arcs, and earthquake activity.


Clear Fake

Context-:
Hackers are now using a phony browser update chain identified as "ClearFake" to infect Mac users with AMOS.

Details-:
Researchers identified Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS), a sophisticated virus that primarily targets Apple users, as a new cyber threat at the beginning of 2023.
The AMOS malware can retrieve private data from a victim's device once it has been installed.
This data can include credit card numbers, cryptocurrency wallet passwords, iCloud Keychain passwords, and other files.

What is ClearFake-:
ClearFake is a kind of deepfake that is created by using machine learning to manipulate images or videos in a way that makes them appear real.
It can be done by using several techniques such as image splicing, facial recognition and voice synthesis.

How clear fake is a threat-:

  • It can be used to spread misinformation, create fake news stories and impersonate people.
  • Malwarebytes, a provider of cyber threat alert systems, claims that hackers are infecting Mac users with AMOS via the ClearFake technique.
  • ClearFake propagates fake Safari and Chrome browser updates via hacked websites.
  • Threat actors are reaching a wider audience by making use of this expanding network of hijacked websites.
  • They can obtain sensitive data and login credentials from users who download the virus, which they can use for future attacks or instant financial benefit.

Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative

Context-:
African leaders came together at the 28th COP28 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to launch the green industrialization of the continent.
The initiative aims to position Africa as a global supplier of green energy and resources.

Details-:

  • The ambitious program to upscale and accelerate green industries and businesses across Africa.
  • It was launched by presidents and representatives from Kenya, Angola, Burundi, Djibouti, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia, as well as COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.
  • The Green Industrialisation Initiative is set to accelerate the green growth of industries in Africa and attract finance and investment opportunities, building upon the Nairobi Declaration of the Africa Climate Summit held in September 2023.
  • The initiative builds upon the existing $4.5 billion Africa green investment from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber announced during the Africa Climate Summit.