14 Dec 2023

#GS3: 01. Hydropower

There was a 14% fall in hydro generation in the first half of FY24 compared with the corresponding period of FY23 due
to variable monsoon rain. Further, around 2 GW of hydro capacity is currently inoperative after floods in Sikkim.
-Union powerminister R.K. Singh

India currently has an installed capacity of 52 GW and another 18 GW is either under implementation or has been bid
out. The government aims to take it to 78 GW by 2030.

Hydro projects can play a strategic role in border states as they help India protect its lower riparian rights with respect to China which is building large dams on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra. State-run NHPC has submitted a pre-feasibility report for the 11 GW Upper Siang Multi-purpose Storage project involving an expenditure of ₹1.13 trillion. This, along with other hydro projects on the Brahmaputra, known as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh, is part of India’s attempt to counter Chinese water diversion.
-Commentary in News
Key Terms/Issues : Upper Siang Multi-purpose Storage project

#GS2: 02. Multilateralism & Common Good

This is a moment where multilateralism has actually come together and people have taken individual interests and attempted to define the common good.
– JOHN KERRY CLIMATE ENVOY, US

#GS3: – 03. COP-28

The Global Stock take seeks to meet Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree C goal in eight ways, calling on parties to contribute to each in a “nationally determined manner”. One, tripling renewable energy capacity globally and doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. Two, accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power. Three, accelerating efforts globally towards net zero-emission energy systems, utilizing zero- and low-carbon fuels well before or by around mid-century. Four, transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science. Five, accelerating zero- and low-emission technologies, including renewables, nuclear, abatement and removal technologies such as carbon capture and utilization and storage, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, and low-carbon hydro-gen production. Six, accelerating and substantially reducing non-carbon-
dioxide emissions globally, including in particular methane. emissions by 2030. Seven, accelerating the reduction of emissions from road transport on a range of pathways, including through development of infrastructure and rapid deployment of zero and low-emission vehicles. And eight, phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that do not address energy poverty.
-Commentary in News

This COP has largely disappointed on all fronts. It hasn’t sufficiently raised climate ambition, held historical polluters
accountable, or established effective mechanisms to finance climate resilience and a just low- carbon transition for the Global South. While the operationalization of the Loss and Damage fund on the first day marked a noteworthy success, subsequent developments revealed a discordant trajectory. The Global Stock take’s final text lacked the candid acknowledgement of problems and the teeth required to fight them. The exclusive focus on rapidly phasing down unabated coal, as opposed to all fossil fuels, heightens the risk of exacerbating the North-South global divide.
– Arunabha Ghosh, the CEO of Council on Energy, Environment and Water

To those who opposed a clear reference to a phase out of fossil fuels in the CoP-28 text, I want to say that a fossil fuel phase out is inevitable whether they like it or not. Let’s hope it doesn’t come too late.
-ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

Key Terms/Issues : Global Stock Take

#GS3: – 04. Deepfake Regulation

There is no sepa rate regulation for Deep fakes—existing regulations already cover it under Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of IT Rules,
2021. We are now seeking 100% enforcement by the platforms, and for the platforms to be more proactive—including alignment of terms of use, and educating users of12 no-go areas—which they should have done by now, but have not.
As a result, we are issuing an advisory to them.

The US approach has so far been Around regulation to lift the markets. The EU has focused on regulations For citizen
rights. India is showing a middle path—not sacrificing innovation to protect citizens, orviceversa.
-Rajeev Chandra sekhar, Union MoS for information technology.

#GS2: – 05. Gati Shakti Plan for neighbours

We are already showcasing The Gati Shakti Master Planto Other countries. In the neighbour hood, we had delegation-
level visits to Nepal and also show cased the master plan to Bangladesh at the invitation of the government there. We
have also showcased the tool to30countries in Central Asia and South-east Asia
-Sumita Dawra, special secretary, department for promotion of industry and internal trade

#GS3:- 6. ECLSS

ISRO has decided to indigenously develop the environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) for the upcoming human space flight mission Gaganyaan, after it failed to get it from other countries. The Gaganyaan project envisages demonstration of Indian Space Research organisation’s human space flight capability by launching a human crew to an orbit of 400 km and bringing them safely back to earth by landing in Indian sea waters. It is expected to be launchedin2025. We have no experience in developing an Environmental control life support system.We were only designing rockets and satellites. We thought that this knowledge would come from other nations, but unfortunately after so much discussion, nobody is willing to give itto us.