UPSC Key | Carbon credits, Safe harbour clause, COP29 and G20Subscriber Only

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialisation

Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

What’s the ongoing story: A week of negotiations in Baku so far has done little to move the needle towards a strong and ambitious finance agreement, the main expected outcome from COP29. With countries sticking to their widely-differing positions on climate finance, all eyes are now on the G20 leaders’ summit in Brazil for some political signalling that could help in ending the impasse.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is Conference of Parties (CoP)?

• What do you understand by the term ‘Climate finance’?

• Why is there a need for climate finance?

• What are some of the criticisms of COP?

• What steps should be taken to tackle the challenge of climate change?

• What is G20?

• What is the climate finance issue debate between developing and developed nations?

Key Takeaways:

• The G20 Summit in Rio De Janeiro will begin Monday and conclude on November 19, three days before COP29 is scheduled to end. Though G20 Summits do not take decisions on climate change, it does figure in the topmost agenda and the expectation is that leaders will demonstrate a commitment to raising greater financial resources, which will push to break the COP29 stalemate.

• Countries in Baku are trying to negotiate an agreement — New Cumulative Quantitative Goal or NCQG on climate finance — that will mobilise at least one trillion USD every year for climate action around the world. While there is a general acknowledgement that this much money is needed, everything else about the mobilisation of the amount is uncertain right now.

• Developing countries want a bulk of this money to be publicly-funded, grant-based or concessional, and directed entirely towards their needs. Developed countries have been silent on how much money they themselves are willing to commit, or on the proportion of the total need that should come from publicly-funded sources.

• These are just some of the many intractable differences that have persisted on the finance negotiations at COP29. Four versions of a draft negotiating text have so far appeared, but these have only listed the different demands of countries under various options. The negotiations so far were held among high-level officials representing the countries: respective Ministers are set to take charge from Monday.

• The G77 plus China, a group of about 130 developing countries, has demanded that developed countries must commit to raising at least 1.3 trillion dollars every year as part of their financial obligation under the Paris Agreement.

• Developed countries have so far not revealed their cards on the quantum of money that should be targeted in NCQG.

Do you know:

• In 1992, at the Rio Earth Summit, 154 countries signed a multilateral treaty called the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It aimed to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations “at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-induced) interference with the climate system.”

• The treaty came into force two years later, and since then, countries which are part of the UNFCCC, meet every year at different venues. Today, there are 198 ‘parties’ or signatories of the Convention.

Developing vs developed nations

• A key issue in finance negotiations is the expansion of contributor base. Right now, only developed countries identified in a list in 1994 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are obliged to raise finances. These countries argue that the scale of finance required is much higher than the 1990s and therefore others must also contribute.

• They suggest applying some criteria to make others responsible. One suggestion is to include countries with per capita gross national income over USD 52,000. That would bring countries like the UAE, Qatar and Singapore, not part of original list, into the fold. Developing countries reject this idea.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????COP29 is underway, here’s what is on table in annual climate conference

????Countries begin from scratch on finance talks

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(1) Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances? (UPSC CSE 2015)

(a) Bretton Woods Conference

(b) Montreal Protocol

(d) Nagoya Protocol

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (UPSC CSE 2021)

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

What’s the ongoing story: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for his five-day visit to Nigeria, Guyana, and Brazil, where he will attend the G20 Summit at Rio De Janeiro. Amid growing geopolitical differences in the wake of raging conflicts in West Asia and between Russia and Ukraine, PM Modi will participate in the summit and put forth India’s views on such issues.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is the G20 and what does it do?

• What is G20 Troika?

• How is the G20 structured?

• What is the significance of G20 in India’s Foreign Policy?

• How is the G20 presidency determined?

• What do you understand by the terms “Global South and Global North”?

• What are the challenges for India as a leader in the Global South?

Key Takeaways:

• PM Modi stated that after India’s successful presidency at the G20 Summit last year, Brazil is expected to continue efforts to advance the Global South’s priorities. He will be there in the South American nation from November 18 to 19.

• India is part of the G20 Troika along with Brazil and South Africa and has been actively contributing to the ongoing G20 Summit discussions. “During the summit, the Prime Minister will put forward India’s positions on various issues of global importance and build on the outcomes from the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration and Voice of the Global South Summits which were hosted by India in the past two years,” the MEA statement said.

Do You Know:

• The G20, or the Group of Twenty, comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States) and the European Union and African Union.

• Notably, the African Union, a grouping that represents 55 countries, was admitted as a new member of the G20 in June 2023.

• These members represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. As a forum for international economic cooperation, it plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.

• It was in late 1999 that the G20, with its current composition, was finally founded as an informal forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of its members to meet annually.

• It is important to note that the G20 is an informal grouping. This means that unlike the United Nations (UN), it does not have a permanent secretariat or staff. Rather, the G20 presidency rotates annually among the members and is responsible for bringing together the G20 agenda, organising its workings and hosting summits.

• The presidency is supported by the “troika” – previous, current and incoming presidencies.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????G20 Summit: Everything you need to know

????As voice of Global South, India pushes for change in global order

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(2) In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (UPSC CSE 2020)

(a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey

(b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand

(d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialisation

Mains Examination: General Studies-III: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialisation

What’s the ongoing story: Carbon trade, being relied upon to accelerate emission cuts around the world, has been largely ineffective till now, and only a very small number of projects have resulted in real emissions reductions, a new study published in Nature journal has found.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What are carbon markets?

• Read about the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

• What are greenhouse gases?

• What are the benefits of carbon markets?

• What are the challenges associated with the operation of carbon markets?

Key Takeaways:

• The study by a group of researchers from several European and American institutions looked at thousands of projects that together generated carbon credits worth one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, and found that only 16 per cent of these credits represented actual reductions in emissions.

• These credits were generated mostly by a mechanism created under the Kyoto Protocol, the 1997 climate agreement that was replaced by the Paris Agreement in 2015. Those mechanisms have died with the Kyoto Protocol. Under the Paris Agreement, new, more robust, mechanisms for carbon trade are being created, with some progress expected to happen at the ongoing COP29 meeting in Baku.

• Carbon markets allow for trade in carbon credits by incentivising emissions reductions. An industrial unit which outperforms its emission standards, meaning that it produces less emissions than it is mandated to, can earn carbon credits. Another unit, which is struggling to meet its emissions standards, can buy these credits.

• Credits can be generated by any activity that can show an additional reduction or avoidance of emissions beyond what is prescribed or would have happened in business-as-usual scenario. Additionality is the key. The project must be able to establish that the emissions reduction could not have happened in the absence of the revenue generated through the sale of carbon credits.

• The creation of a carbon market is the last remaining part of the 2015 Paris Agreement yet to be operationalised. This time, rules and procedures are being prepared meticulously to ensure that the integrity of credits is maintained. Two such rules were approved on the opening day of COP29 but much more work remains to be done, and are being negotiated.

• Two kinds of mechanisms for carbon trade are being created. One would facilitate bilateral trade at the country level. A country that reduces its emissions beyond its target can generate credits and sell it to another country through a bilaterally negotiated mechanism and price.

• The other mechanism would create an international carbon market in which anyone can participate. Several institutions need to be set up to regulate, verify and authenticate the trade in carbon credits.

Do You Know:

• Carbon credits generated under the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms were often criticised for not being robust enough. In many cases, the credits did not result in the amount of emissions reductions that they claimed to have been representing. The carbon market mechanism being created under the Paris Agreement seeks to address those weaknesses.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????COP29 Special-7 must know Environmental terms

????Why CO2 is the primary driver of climate change

Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:

(3) Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct? (UPSC CSE 2011)

(a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol

(b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota

(d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

Should the pursuit of carbon credits and clean development mechanisms set up under UNFCCC be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of a carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth. (UPSC CSE 2014)

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

What’s the ongoing story: Canada’s tourist visa success rate for Indian applicants has seen a dramatic decline in recent months, dropping sharply from 80 per cent to around 20 per cent or even lower particularly for aspirants from Punjab. This has raised concerns among prospective travelers, who are now facing heightened uncertainty and unexpected hurdles.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is the history of India-Canada bilateral relations?

• What is the status of the India-Canada relationship?

• What is the significance of Canada for India?

• What are the main causes of the recent diplomatic tensions between India and Canada?

• How will the increasing tension in India-Canada relations affect the Indian Diaspora?

• How will the changes in Canada’s visa policy impact Indians?

Key Takeaways:

• The trend, already noticeable over the past few months, has been compounded by Canada’s recent decision to discontinue the automatic 10-year multiple-entry tourist visa for eligible applicants. This policy shift is expected to further impact frequent travelers, creating additional barriers for those who previously relied on the convenience and predictability of long-term visas.

• Experts believe the end of Canada’s automatic 10-year multiple-entry tourist visa will undoubtedly impact approval rates. Previously, this visa option was a popular choice among Indian applicants, particularly for those with strong financial backgrounds, solid travel histories, and family ties in Canada. These visas were issued more readily under a relatively straightforward process.

• The sudden decline in approval rates has already placed Indian students and professionals in a challenging position. Earlier this year, the 10-year visa was often seen as an alternative for those unable to secure student visas or other long-term permits. With its discontinuation and the plummeting success rates for tourist visas, these individuals now face limited and less predictable entry options.

Factors behind the decline in tourist visa success rates in recent months:

1. Allegations of Border Misuse: There has been a rise in cases where visitors, particularly from India, reportedly use Canada as a transit point to cross into the United States.

2. Policy on Reducing Temporary Residents: Canada has been tightening its policies to limit the number of temporary residents. Concerns have emerged that many visitors with 10-year visas overstay or work illegally, prompting immigration authorities to apply stricter scrutiny to new applicants

3. Processing Delays and Backlogs: Delays in visa processing and a growing backlog due to a large number of visa applications have also played a role.

4. Strained Diplomatic Relations with India: Political tensions between India and Canada, especially after allegations involving India in a high-profile assassination case in Canada, have impacted various areas of bilateral relations.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????UPSC Issue at a Glance | India-Canada Diplomatic Row

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. (UPSC CSE 2020)

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: History of India

Mains Examination: General Studies-I: Modern Indian History

What’s the ongoing story: Asad Rehman writes– “At the Aligarh Numaish (exhibition), an event started by the British that evolved into a major socio-cultural affair over the years, on February 6, 1894, Sir Syed Ahmad and his group of friends took the stage to recite ghazals and act in a play. Proceeds from their performance were earmarked for the development of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College, founded by the Muslim scholar, to further the cause of the community’s education in the country.”

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is the history behind the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)?

• Read about the Sir Syed Ahmad.

• What are the rights provided to minorities under constitution of India?

• What are the criteria an institution must meet to be considered a minority educational institution?

Key Takeaways:

• “In 1920, two decades after Sir Syed’s death on March 27, 1898, MAO College would become Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Over a century later, on November 8 this year, the Supreme Court underlined that the determination of the “minority character” of an institution is not a rigid concept and, in a narrow 4-3 majority verdict, overruled its 1967 ruling that had held that AMU was not a minority institution.”

• “The university traces its origin to the founding of the Madrasatul Uloom in Aligarh by Sir Syed on May 24, 1875. On January 7, 1877, the Madrasatul Uloom became MAO College. Then, after the AMU Act was passed in 1920, nearly four decades later, MAO College got its current name.”

• “MAO College’s journey to becoming AMU was realised due to Sir Syed adopting a multitude of ways to collect funds for his vision. MAO College was patterned on the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, which Sir Syed had visited in Britain. His objective was to build a college in line with the British education system — but without compromising on Islamic values.”

• “As per a coffee table book published by AMU in 2020, its centenary year, Sir Syed collected funds though all possible means and methods — donations, lotteries, and sale of pictures and books, among others. “In the Aligarh Exhibition, an annual feature, he set up a book stall and sold books. He even put on a beggar’s jholi and begged for money,” says the book.

Do You Know:

• Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, a prominent Indian Muslim reformer, educator, and philosopher, was best known for his pivotal role in promoting modern education among Muslims. He founded the Aligarh Movement, which aimed to reform educational practices by incorporating Western scientific methods and English as a medium of instruction. This movement led to the establishment of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875, which later became Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

Protections for minority educational institutions (MEIs)

• Under Article 30(1), all minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

• Under Article 15(5), MEIs are exempt from providing reservations for SCs and STs.

• Minority status also allows educational institutions to exercise greater control over their day-to-day administration — from student admissions (they can reserve up to 50% seats for minority students) to the hiring of teaching and non-teaching staff.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

???? How the 1857 revolt lit the spark for setting up Aligarh Muslim University

????SC affirms minority rights, sets aside its verdict that rejected AMU’s status

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Government policies and interventions, Awarenessinthefields of IT, Computers

What’s the ongoing story: The government on Saturday reiterated its stance to revisit the safe harbour clause for social media intermediaries such as X, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, etc, amid an increase in instances of misinformation and fake news over these platforms.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What is the safe harbour clause?

• Which Indian law provides safe harbour protection to intermediaries?

• What are the key provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000?

• What measures have been taken by the government to regulate social media in India?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of social media?

• How does the concept of safe harbour protection balance the competing interests of free speech and the necessity to regulate harmful content?

• What are the global norms on safe harbour protection for social media intermediaries?

Key Takeaways:

• This assumes significance as currently under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the platforms have the immunity against legal prosecution for content posted by users. However, in case of removal of safe harbour clause or changes in its contours, such platforms will themselves become directly accountable for the user content and won’t be able to enjoy legal immunity.

• “Shouldn’t platforms operating in a context as complex as India adopt a different set of responsibilities? These pressing questions underline the need for a new framework that ensures accountability and safeguards the social fabric of the nation,” Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in his address at a National Press Day event.

• The government talked about reconsidering the safe harbour clause last year during consultations on the Digital India Act, which once implemented will replace the decades old IT Act, 2000. However, the government is yet to issue a draft of the Digital India Bill for public consultation.

• In his address, Vaishnaw highlighted three other areas — fair compensation for content creators, algorithm bias of digital platforms, and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on intellectual property — that are concerning and needs attention.

Do You Know:

• Section 79 of the IT Act says any intermediary shall not be held legally or otherwise liable for any third party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted on its platform. This protection, the Act says, shall be applicable if the said intermediary does not in any way, initiate the transmission of the message in question, select the receiver of the transmitted message and does not modify any information contained in the transmission.

• This means that as long as a platform acts just as the messenger carrying a message from point A to point B, without interfering in any manner, it will be safe from any legal prosecution brought upon due to the message being transmitted.

• The protection accorded under Section 79, however, is not granted if the intermediary, despite being informed or notified by the government or its agencies, does not immediately disable access to the material under question. The intermediary must not tamper with any evidence of these messages or content present on its platform, failing which it lose its protection under the Act.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

????Explained: Social media and safe harbour

Previous year UPSC Prelims/Mains Question Covering similar theme:

(4) In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? (UPSC CSE 2017)

1. Service providers

2. Data centres

3. Body corporate

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:

What are social networking sites and what security implications do these sites present? (UPSC CSE 2013)

Biden and Xi will huddle on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru—for their first talks in seven months—where Pacific Rim leaders are assessing the implications of Trump’s return to power as president on January 20.

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