This multilateral instrument on climate change was adopted
at the 1992 Earth summit in Brazil also known as UN
Conference on Environment and Development. All subsequent
negotiations on climate change for both adaptation and
mitigation were adopted on the framework created by UNFCCC.
Due to inadequacies in the convention the Kyoto Protocol was
framed that binds nations with targets and thus commits them
to climate change. It was adopted in 1997 but came into
effect in 2005.
KP thus commits industrialized nations to binding targets as
it recognizes them as important factors responsible for
climate change due to the 150 year old process of
industrialization. Its central principle was "Common but
differentiated responsibilities". Overall target was to
have5% emission reduction compared to 1990 over a five year
period from 2008-2012.
KP Framework:
Greenhouse gases like Carbon dioxide became a new commodity
and developed countries were given binding emission
reduction targets. Flexible market mechanisms were
introduced to aid developed countries in meeting their
targets. These allowed countries to buy credits from others
who had met their targets and had exceeded them. KP market
mechanisms were Clean Development Mechanism, Joint
Implementation and Emission Trading.
Joint Implementation
This allows a country under Annex - B i.e.
developed country to launch an emission reduction project in
another developed country and thus earn emission reduction
units equivalent to 1 ton of CO2. Thus both the countries
can jointly work to reduce emissions. The host country shall
benefit from technology transfer and foreign investments and
the country shall be able to meet its Kyoto commitment.
Clean Development Mechanism
The developed country with a binding target shall
implement an emission reduction project in a developing
country. The Certified emission reduction units earned
through these shall be counted in its target achievement.
Each CER shall be equivalent to 1 ton of CO2 emission.
Carbon Trading
Carbon trading occurred in two types i.e. emission trading
and offset trading. The emission trading or "Cap and trade"
mechanism allows a country to get credits for meeting its
emission targets and exceeding them. It is based on the
principle of Targets assigned to Developed countries under
KP where they can emit only a fixed amount of emission or
carbon equivalents. This carbon equivalent is earned if a
country reduces emission. e.g. if a country has target of
100 tons CO2 emission which means it can emit 100 CO2 units
so it can earn credits by emitting less CO2. The offset
trading allows carbon saving projects to earn credits by
using emission saving technology. Hence if a power plant
emits 8 tons of carbon and limit is 4 tons then it needs 4
units of CER to meet its target. This it can do by saving
emissions or investing in a emission free project like wind
power plant. The credits earned from that can be used to
meet its own commitment and if extra is earned then it can
sell it in market.
In the Bali summit held in 2007 it was proposed to
include even developing countries like India and China,
after 2012 when the KP ends, under compulsory targets as
their emissions to were increasing. Due to no agreements
on this as developed and developing countries were in
discord this wasn't enforced.
National Green house gas inventory program:
The guidance provided by this program is useful
for estimating the quantity of emissions and removal of
GHG's by each country.
This was submitted by the Environment Pollution Control Authority, mandated by Supreme Court. The guidelines for the action plan laid down by this authority after consultation with all states are:
The concentration of pollutants shall be monitored by SPCBs and IMD and communicated to EPCA. 16 agencies like the Urban Local Bodies, Government Departments etc have to work in coordination to ensure implementation.
The EPCA action plan shall ensure that measures are taken effectively and no knee jerk response is there. However the existing rules have to be enforced strictly to ensure that pollution remains under control.
EPCA was set up by the Ministry of Environment ,Forests, Climate Change under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 for the NCR [Delhi] region. It was reconstituted in 2016 due to SC orders.
World Meteorological Organization
WMO has 5 regional bodies which name the cyclones in their respective regions. The regional office for the Indian Ocean is at Indian Meteorological Department, Delhi. The countries in this region have to prepare a list of names. The rules for deciding these names can be set by the country on its own. Local names are preferred and controversial names are avoided. If a storm has been very disastrous then its name isn't reused.
Q.Consider the following statements:
1. The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996-97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers.
2. The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974-75 for the development of water-use efficiency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC CSAT 2015)
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Ans . B
The government of India launched Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Program (AIBP) in 1996-97. This program was launched to give loan assistance to the states to help them a few major irrigation projects which were in advanced stage of completion.
The Command Area Development Programme was launched as a Centrally-sponsored scheme in 1974-75 with the main objectives of improving utilization of irrigation potential and optimizing agricultural productivity and production from the irrigated areas by integrating all functions related with irrigated agriculture.
Q.Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances? (UPSC CSAT 2015)
Bretton Woods Conference
Montreal Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
Nagoya Protocol
Ans . B
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.
Bretton Woods conference relates to IMF and World Bank. Kyoto Protocol is about cutting emissions of greenhouse gases. Nagoya protocol is about benefit sharing from the gains by genetic resources.
Q. With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements:
‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process.
Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct? (UPSC CSAT 2014)
1 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
None
Ans . A
Sunlight energizes and causes electrons in the photovoltaic semiconductor to flow , creating an electrical current. Photovoltaic devices convert optional radiation into electricity.
Several solar thermal systems can collect and transform radiant energy received from the sun into high temperature thermal (heat) energy , which can be used directly or converted into electricity.
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