General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - August 2023

Aug 2023

Apr 26, 2024

Fourth Session on Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations

The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to develop an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution is being held in Ottawa, Canada from April 23 to 29. The objective of this penultimate round of negotiations is to refine the text of the draft agreement, aiming to finalise the treaty at the fifth session (INC-5) in November 2024.
In March 2022, the UN Environment Assembly adopted a historic resolution to develop a global treaty on plastic pollution
The treaty aims to address the full life cycle of plastic, including production, design and disposal
INC began its work in late 2022 with the ambition to complete negotiations by end of 2024
Previous sessions were held in Uruguay (INC-1), France (INC-2), and Kenya (INC-3).

Karnataka and Gujarat Lead India's Clean Energy Transition

A report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Ember evaluated the progress of India's clean electricity transition at the state level. While Karnataka and Gujarat maintained strong performances, states like Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh lag behind, necessitating increased efforts for renewable energy integration and decarbonisation.

Apr 25, 2024

Karnataka and Gujarat Lead India's Clean Energy Transition: Report

The report assesses India's clean energy transition, highlighting Karnataka and Gujarat's leading roles and the need for improvement in states like Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
A recent report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Ember evaluates the progress of India's clean electricity transition at the state level. While Karnataka and Gujarat maintain strong performances, states like Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh lag behind, necessitating increased efforts for renewable energy integration and decarbonization.
Karnataka and Gujarat continue to excel in integrating renewable energy sources and decarbonizing their power sectors.
Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh need to enhance renewable energy deployment and strengthen distribution companies.
Cyclical weather patterns and economic growth drive increasing peak electricity demand in India.
States must be prepared to transition to clean energy sources to meet rising demand.
While national progress towards clean energy transition is positive, disparities exist at the state level.
Some states demonstrate readiness for transition but lack progress in decarbonization.

Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference: Bhutan's Earth Day Initiative

On Earth Day 2024, Bhutan is spearheading the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference. With a goal of mobilising $1 billion over a decade, the conference aims to preserve tiger habitats critical for biodiversity and supporting millions of people.
Under the patronage of Bhutan's Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, the conference, co-organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Tiger Conservation Coalition, will spotlight sustainable finance, UN's Global Biodiversity Framework, and public-private partnerships vital for tiger conservation.
Formed ahead of the 2022 Year of the Tiger, the coalition, comprising leading organisations like IUCN, WWF, and UNDP, supports tiger range countries in ambitious conservation efforts, ensuring impact for both nature and communities.

Apr 22, 2024

Clouded Tiger Cat: A New Species Discovered in Brazil's Rainforests

In a remarkable discovery, scientists identified a new species of wild cat thriving in the dense rainforests of Brazil. Dubbed the 'clouded tiger cat' (Leopardus pardinoides), this feline marvel has captivated the hearts of animal enthusiasts and conservationists alike, sparking renewed efforts to safeguard the region's rich biodiversity.
Size: Approximately the same as a domestic housecat, the clouded tiger cat is a relatively small wildcat.
Its distinctive spotted coat allows it to seamlessly blend into its surroundings, a remarkable adaptation for survival.
The discovery of this new species serves as a poignant reminder that nature still holds countless wonders waiting to be unveiled, even in regions previously believed to be well-documented.

Europe is the Fastest-warming Continent, at Nearly Twice the Average Global Rate

Europe is the fastest-warming continent and its temperatures are rising at roughly twice the global average, two top climate monitoring organisations reported, warning of the consequences for human health, glacier melt and economic activity.
The UN's World Meteorological Organisation and the European Union's climate agency, Copernicus, said in a joint report that the continent has the opportunity to develop targeted strategies to speed up the transition to renewable resources like wind, solar and hydroelectric power in response to the effects of climate change.
The latest five-year averages show that temperatures in Europe are now running 2.3 degrees Celsius (4.1 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, compared to 1.3 degrees Celsius higher globally, the report says — just shy of the targets under the 2015 Paris climate accord to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Apr 21, 2024

India, France to Launch Climate fund for Start-ups in Indo-Pacific Countries

India and France will launch a fund aimed to support start-ups and climate-centric innovations in the Indo-Pacific.
The agreement for the fund, along with the funding amount, was finalised, paving the way for potential projects to receive funding in the Western Indian Ocean region and the wider Indo-Pacific area.

Apr 20, 2024

Antarctic Ice Shelf Jumps Twice Daily

Researchers uncovered a surprising phenomenon in Antarctica: the massive Ross Ice Shelf, roughly the size of France, lurches forward several centimetres once or twice a day. This movement is triggered by the Whillans Ice Stream, a fast-flowing river of ice that occasionally gets stuck and then surges ahead.
The discovery highlights a previously unknown aspect of ice shelf dynamics and raises questions about the long-term stability of the Ross Ice Shelf in the face of climate change.
While the daily jumps aren't directly linked to human-caused warming, they could contribute to the weakening of the Ross Ice Shelf. Ice shelves act as barriers, slowing the flow of glaciers and ice streams into the ocean. If the Ross Ice Shelf weakens and breaks apart, it could accelerate ice melt rates and sea level rise.

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