IPCC: Part Three of Sixth Assessment Report

For Prelims: Sixth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, GreenHouse Gases.

For Mains: Sixth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Climate Change, Adaptation Measures, Impact of Climate Change.

Why in News?

Recently, the United Nations’ climate science body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published the third part of its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6).

• This second part of the report was published in March 2022 which was about climate change impacts, risks and vulnerabilities, and adaptation options.
• The first part of this report, on the physical science of climate change was published in 2021. It had warned that 1.5 degree Celsius warming was likely to be achieved before 2040 itself.

What are the Key Findings of the Report?

• GreenHouse Gas Emissions:
  • In 2019, global net anthropogenic Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were at 59 Gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO₂e), 54% higher than in 1990.
    • Net emissions refer to emissions accounted for after deducting emissions soaked up by the world’s forests and oceans.
    • Anthropogenic emissions refer to emissions that originate from human-driven activities like the burning of coal for energy or cutting of forests.
  • This emissions growth has been driven mainly by CO₂ emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and the industrial sector, as well as methane emissions.
  • But the average annual rate of growth slowed to 1.3% per year in the period 2010-19, compared to 2.1% per year in the period 2000-09.
  • At least 18 countries have reduced GHG emissions for longer than 10 years on a continuous basis due to decarbonisation of their energy system, energy efficiency measures and reduced energy demand.

• Emission by the Least Developed Countries:
  • Carbon inequality remains pervasive as ever with Least Developed Countries (LDCs) emitting only 3.3% of global emissions in 2019.
  • Their average per capita emissions in the period 1990-2019 were only 1.7 tonnes CO₂e, compared to the global average of 6.9 tCO₂e.
  • LDCs contributed less than 0.4% of total historical CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industry in the period 1850-2019.
  • Globally, 41% of the world’s population lived in countries emitting less than 3 tCO2e per capita in 2019.

• Pledges to the Paris Agreement:
  • Upon adding up the NDCs announced by countries till October 2021, the IPCC finds that it is likely that warming will exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius (°C) in this century, thereby failing the Paris Agreement’s mandate.
    • Current pledges made by countries who have signed the Paris Agreement are known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
  • The CO₂ emissions from existing and planned fossil fuel infrastructure — coal, oil, and gas — contribute greatly to this projected failure.
  • In its best-case scenario, known as the C1 pathway, the IPCC outlines what the world needs to do to limit temperatures to 1.5°C, with limited or no ‘overshoot’.
    • Overshoot refers to global temperatures crossing the 1.5°C threshold temporarily, but then being brought back down using technologies that suck CO2 out of the atmosphere.
  • To achieve the C1 pathway, global GHG emissions must fall by 43% by 2030.

• Low Emissions Technologies:
  • Widespread ‘system transformations’ are required across the energy, buildings, transport, land and other sectors, to achieve the 1.5°C target and this will involve adopting low-emission or zero carbon pathways of development in each sector. And solutions are available at affordable costs.
  • The costs of low emissions technologies have fallen continuously since 2010. On a unit costs basis, solar energy has dropped 85%, wind by 55 %, and lithium-ion batteries by 85%.
  • Their deployment, or usage, has increased multiple fold since 2010 — 10 times for solar and 100 times for electric vehicles.
  • Reducing fossil fuel use in the energy sector, demand management and energy efficiency in the industrial sector and adopting the principles of ‘sufficiency’ and efficiency in the construction of buildings are among the plethora of solutions.
• Demand-side Mitigation:
  • It also adds that demand-side mitigation, ie, behavioural changes such as adopting plant-based diets, or shifting to walking and cycling “can reduce global GHG emissions in end use sectors by 40-70% by 2050 compared to baseline scenarios” and improve wellbeing.
    • Most of the potential for demand-side mitigation currently lies in developed countries.
• Impact on GDP:
  • The IPCC states that low-cost climate mitigation options could halve global GHG emissions by 2030. In fact, the long-term benefits of limiting warming far outweigh the costs.
  • Investing in decarbonisation would have a minimal impact on global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• Short Fall of Finances:
  • Financial flows fall short of the levels needed to achieve the ambitious mitigation goals, however.
  • The gaps are the widest for the agriculture, forestry, and other land uses (AFOLU) sector and for developing countries.
    • But the global financial system is large enough and “sufficient global capital and liquidity” exist to close these gaps.
  • For developing countries, it recommends scaled up public grants, as well as “increased levels of public finance and publicly mobilised private finance flows from developed to developing countries in the context of the USD 100 billion-a-year goal; increase the use of public guarantees to reduce risks and leverage private flows at lower cost; local capital markets development and building greater trust in international cooperation processes”.

What is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change?

• It is the international body for assessing the science related to climate change.
• It was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
• IPCC assessments provide a scientific basis for governments at all levels to develop climate related policies, and they underlie negotiations at the UN Climate Conference – the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

What is the Assessment Report of IPCC?

• The Assessment Reports, the first of which had come out in 1990, are the most comprehensive evaluations of the state of the earth’s climate.
  • Every few years (about 7 years), the IPCC produces assessment reports.
• Hundreds of experts go through every available piece of relevant, published scientific information to prepare a common understanding of the changing climate.
• The four subsequent assessment reports, each thousands of pages long, came out in 1995, 2001, 2007 and 2015.
  • These have formed the basis of the global response to climate change.
• Over the years, each assessment report has built on the work of the previous ones, adding more evidence, information and data.
  • So that most of the conclusions about climate change and its impacts have far greater clarity, certainty and wealth of new evidence now, than earlier.
• It is these negotiations that have produced the Paris Agreement, and previously the Kyoto Protocol.
  • The Paris Agreement, negotiated on the basis of the Fifth Assessment Report.
• The Assessment Reports - by three working groups of scientists.
  • Working Group-I - Deals with the scientific basis for climate change.
  • Working Group-II - Looks at the likely impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation issues.
  • Working Group-III - Deals with actions that can be taken to combat climate change.

Source: IE

Air Quality Database 2022: WHO

For Prelims: World Health Organisation, WHO’s New Air Quality Guidelines, Particulate Matter.

For Mains: Effects of Air pollution, Environmental Pollution & Degradation.

Why in News?

Ahead of the World Health Day (7^th April), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released Air Quality Database 2022, which shows that Almost the entire global population (99 %) breathes air that exceeds WHO’s air quality limits.

• The WHO for the first time has taken ground measurements of annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). It also includes measurements of Particulate Matter with diameters equal or smaller than 10 μm (PM10) or 2.5 μm (PM2.5).
• The findings have prompted WHO to highlight the importance of curbing fossil fuel use and taking other tangible steps to reduce air pollution levels.
• Earlier, in the 2021 World Air Quality Report released by IQAir (a Swiss group), India was home to 11 of the 15 most polluted cities in Central and South Asia in 2021.

What are the Findings?

• Unhealthy Air: More than 6,000 cities in 117 countries are now monitoring air quality but their residents are still breathing unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, while people in low and middle-income countries suffer the highest exposure.
• Increased Collection of Data: As many as 2,000 more cities and human settlements are now recording ground monitoring data for particulate matter, PM10 and/or PM2.5, than in the last update (2018).
  • This marks an almost sixfold rise in reporting since the database was first made in 2011.
• Impact of Air Pollution: Meanwhile, evidence base for the damage air pollution does to the human body has been growing rapidly and points to significant harm caused by even low levels of many air pollutants.
  • Particulate matter, especially PM 2.5, is capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream, causing Cardiovascular, Cerebrovascular (stroke) and Respiratory Impacts.
  • NO₂ is associated with respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, leading to respiratory symptoms (such as coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing), hospital admissions and visits to emergency rooms.
• Compliance with WHO Air Quality Guidelines: In the 117 countries monitoring air quality, the air in 17% of cities in high-income countries falls below WHO’s air quality guidelines for PM 2.5 or PM 10.
  • In low and middle-income countries, air quality in less than 1% of the cities complies with WHO recommended thresholds.

What are the WHO’s New Air Quality Guidelines?

• The 2021 guidelines recommend new air quality levels to protect the health of populations, by reducing levels of key air pollutants, some of which also contribute to climate change.
• By striving to achieve these guideline levels, countries will be both protecting health as well as mitigating global climate change.
• WHO move sets the stage for eventual shifts in policy in the government towards evolving newer stricter standards.
• WHO’s new guidelines recommend air quality levels for 6 pollutants, where evidence has advanced the most on health effects from exposure.
  • 6 classical pollutants include particulate matter (PM 2.5 and 10), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO).

What are the Suggestions to Improve Air Quality and Health?

• Adopt or revise and implement national air quality standards according to the latest WHO Air Quality Guidelines.
• Monitor air quality and identify sources of air pollution.
• Support the transition to exclusive use of clean household energy for cooking, heating and lighting.
• Build safe and affordable public transport systems and pedestrian- and cycle-friendly networks
• Implement stricter vehicle emissions and efficiency standards, and enforce mandatory inspection and maintenance for vehicles.
• Invest in energy-efficient housing and power generation
• Improve industry and municipal waste management
• Reduce agricultural waste incineration, forest fires and certain agro-forestry activities (e.g. charcoal production)
• Include air pollution in curricula for health professionals and providing tools for the health sector to engage.

Source: IE

Nepal PM Visits India

For Prelims: Kali River, India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950, Dharchula Bridge.

For Mains: Significance and Challenges of India-Nepal Relations.

Why in News?

The Prime Minister of Nepal visited India and held a summit meeting with the Indian Prime Minister.

• Earlier, the Union Cabinet had cleared a plan to build a new bridge connecting India and Nepal over the Mahakali river and link Dharchula in Uttarakhand with Nepal’s Dharchula.

What are the Highlights of the VIsit?

• Connectivity:
  • Launched the 35-km cross-border railway line linking Jaynagar in Bihar to Kurtha in Nepal.
    • This is the first broad-gauge passenger rail link between the two sides and it will be extended to Bardibas in Nepal under a project supported by an Indian grant of Rs 548 crore.
• Solu Corridor:
  • The Indian side handed over the Solu Corridor, a 90-km, 132 kV power transmission line built for Rs 200 crore under an Indian line of credit.
  • The line will help bring electricity to several remote districts in northeastern Nepal by connecting them to the country’s national grid.
• RuPay card:
  • Launched India’s RuPay card in Nepal.
  • The domestic variant of the RuPay card will now work at 1,400 point-of-sale machines in Nepal, and the move is expected to facilitate bilateral tourist flows.
  • Nepal is the fourth country, after Bhutan, Singapore and the UAE, where RuPay is live.
• MoUs:
  • Nepal signed a framework agreement to join the India-led International Solar Alliance (becoming the 105^th member country).
  • Signed three more pacts – a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on enhancing technical cooperation in the railways sector, and two agreements between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation for the supply of petroleum products for five years and for sharing of technical expertise.
• Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation:
  • India called for taking full advantage of opportunities in the power sector, including through joint development of power generation projects in Nepal and development of cross-border transmission infrastructure.
    • India plays an important role in developing Nepal's power sector, through capacity building and direct support to infrastructure projects related to generation and transmission.
  • Nepal also appreciated India's recent cross-border electricity trade regulations that have enabled it to access India's market and trade power with India. Nepal exports its surplus power to India.
  • The two sides agreed to expedite work on the delayed Pancheshwar multipurpose dam project (on Mahakali river) that is considered to be a gamechanger for the development of the region.
• Border Issue:
  • Nepalese Prime Minister urged his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to take steps to resolve a boundary dispute.
    • The Indian side made it clear both countries need to address the boundary issue through dialogue and to avoid the politicisation of such issues.
  • India had earlier rejected Nepal's unilateral move in 2020 to amend its constitution to show the Kalapani region as part of Nepal for the first time.

What are the Key Points of India - Nepal Relations?

• Historical Ties:
  • Nepal is an important neighbour of India and occupies special significance in its foreign policy because of the geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries.
  • India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal.
  • The two countries not only share an open border and unhindered movement of people, but they also have close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as Roti-Beti ka Rishta.
  • The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.
  • Rivers originating in Nepal feed the perennial river systems of India in terms of ecology and hydropower potential.
• Trade and Economy:
  • India is Nepal’s largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investments, besides providing transit for almost the entire third country trade of Nepal.
• Connectivity:
  • Nepal being a landlocked country, it is surrounded by India from three sides and one side is open towards Tibet which has very limited vehicular access.
  • India-Nepal has undertaken various connectivity programs to enhance people-to-people linkages and promote economic growth and development.
    • MOUs have been signed between both the governments for laying an electric rail track linking Kathmandu with Raxaul in India.
    • India is looking to develop the inland waterways for the movement of cargo, within the framework of trade and transit arrangements, providing additional access to sea for Nepal calling it linking Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) with Sagar (Indian Ocean).
• Defence Cooperation:
  • Bilateral defence cooperation includes assistance to Nepalese Army in its modernization through provision of equipment and training.
  • The Gorkha Regiments of the Indian Army are raised partly by recruitment from hill districts of Nepal.
  • India from 2011, every year undertakes joint military exercise with Nepal known as Surya Kiran.
• Cultural:
  • India has signed three sister-city agreements for twinning Kathmandu-Varanasi, Lumbini-Bodhgaya and Janakpur-Ayodhya.
    • A sister city or twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities.
• Humanitarian Assistance:
  • Nepal lies in a sensitive ecological fragile zone which is prone to earthquakes, floods causing massive damage to both life and money, and it remains the biggest recipient of India’s humanitarian assistance.
• Multilateral Partnership:
  • India and Nepal share multiple multilateral forums such as BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), Non Aligned Movement, and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) etc.
• Issues & Challenges:
  • China’s Intervention:
    • As a landlocked nation, Nepal depended for many years on Indian imports, and India played an active role in Nepal's affairs.
    • However, in recent years, Nepal has drifted away from India's influence, and China has gradually filled the space with investments, aid and loans.
    • China considers Nepal a key partner in its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and wants to invest in Nepal's infrastructure as part of its grand plans to boost global trade.
    • Rising Nepal and China cooperation can undermine Nepal’s distinction of buffer state between India and China.
    • China on the other hand wants to avoid the formation of any Anti-China stance by the Tibetans living in Nepal.
  • Border Dispute:
    • The issue erupted in November 2019 when Nepal had released a new political map that claims Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh of Uttarakhand as part of Nepal’s territory. The area of Susta (West Champaran district, Bihar) can also be noted in the new map.

Way Forward

• India should negotiate diplomatically to resolve the boundary dispute with Nepal under the aegis of International law on Trans-boundary Water Disputes. In this case, boundary dispute resolution between India and Bangladesh should serve as a model.
• India should engage more proactively with Nepal in terms of people to people engagement, bureaucratic engagement as well as political interactions.
• Mere differences shall not turn into disputes and both the countries should resolve the issues peacefully.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. Consider the following statements: (2020)

1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
2. “Textile and textile articles” constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Q. Consider the following pairs: (2016)

Community sometimes       In the affairs of
mentioned in the news

1. Kurd             —               Bangladesh
2. Madhesi        —               Nepal
3. Rohingya      —                Myanmar

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only

Ans: (c)

• Kurd: They are one of the indigenous peoples of the Mesopotamian plains and the highlands in what are now South-eastern Turkey, North-eastern Syria, northern Iraq, North-western Iran and South-western Armenia. Hence, pair 1 is not correctly matched.
• Madhesi: It is an ethnic group living mainly in the southern plains of Nepal, close to the border with India. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.
• Rohingya: They are an ethnic group, largely comprising Muslims, who predominantly live in the Western Myanmar province of Rakhine. Hence, pair 3 is correctly matched.
• Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Source: TH

Near Field Communication Technology

For Prelims: NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Technologies.

For Mains: IT and Computers.

Why in News?

Google Pay has recently launched a new feature in India, ‘Tap to pay for UPI’, in collaboration with Pine Labs. The feature makes use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

• The functionality will allow users with NFC-enabled Android smartphones and UPI (Unified Payments Interface) accounts linked to Google Pay to carry out transactions just by tapping their phones on any Pine Labs Android point-of-sale (POS) terminal across the country.
• The process is much faster compared to scanning a QR code or entering the UPI-linked mobile number which has been the conventional way till now.
• In February 2022, Apple introduced Tap to Pay on the iPhone.

What is NFC and how does it work?

• NFC is a short-range wireless connectivity technology that allows NFC-enabled devices to communicate with each other and transfer information quickly and easily with a single touch - whether to pay bills, exchange business cards, download coupons, or share a document.
• NFC transmits data through electromagnetic radio fields, to enable communication between two devices. Both devices must contain NFC chips, as transactions take place within a very short distance.
  • NFC-enabled devices must be either physically touching or within a few centimetres from each other for data transfer to occur.
• In 2004, consumer electronics companies, Nokia, Philips and Sony together formed the NFC Forum, which outlined the architecture for NFC technology to create powerful new consumer-driven products.
• Nokia released the first NFC-enabled phone in 2007.

What are the other applications of NFC technology?

• It is used in contactless banking cards to perform money transactions or to generate contact-less tickets for public transport.
  • Contactless cards and readers use NFC in several applications from securing networks and buildings to monitoring inventory and sales, preventing auto theft, and running unmanned toll booths.
• It is present in speakers, household appliances, and other electronic devices that are controlled through smartphones.
• It also has an application in healthcare, to monitor patient stats through NFC-enabled wristbands. NFC is used in wireless charging too.

How safe is this technology?

• NFC technology is designed for an operation between devices within a few centimetres from each other. This makes it difficult for attackers to record the communication between the devices compared to other wireless technologies which have a working distance of several metres.
• The user of the NFC-enabled device determines by the touch gesture which entity the NFC communication should take place with, making it more difficult for the attacker to get connected.
• The security level of the NFC communication is by default higher compared to other wireless communication protocols.
• Since the receiving device reads data the instant one sends it, NFCs also reduce the chance of human error.

Where does it stand in comparison to other wireless technologies?

• The IrDa (Infrared) technology is a short range (a few metres) connection based on the exchange of data over infrared light where the two communication devices must be positioned within a line of sight. Today, this technology is mainly used for remote control devices.
• For larger data communication with computer devices this technology was replaced by Bluetooth or WiFi connections.
  • However, for these technologies’ receiver devices need their own power supply due to the larger working distance.
  • Therefore, the receiving device cannot be powered by the Radiofrequency (RF) field like in NFC.
  • Another consequence of the larger working distance is the need for the user to configure their device and to pair them together for communication. Connection cannot be initiated by a simple touch gesture like in NFC.

Note

Bluetooth: Developed in the late 1990s, it is a technology designed to enable short-range wireless communication between electronic devices, such as between a laptop and a smartphone or between a computer and a television.

• Bluetooth works by using radio frequencies, rather than the infrared spectrum used by traditional remote controls. As a result, Bluetooth eliminates the need not only for a wire connection but also for maintaining a clear line of sight to communicate between devices.
• Bluetooth works at 2.4GHz frequency.

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity): It is similar to Bluetooth in that it also uses radio waves for high-speed data transfer over short distances without the need for a wire connection.

• Wi-Fi works by breaking a signal into pieces and transmitting those fragments over multiple radio frequencies. This technique enables the signal to be transmitted at a lower power per frequency and also allows multiple devices to use the same Wi-Fi transmitter.
• Initially developed in the 1990s, Wi-Fi has undergone several standardization processes, approved by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), to allow for greater bandwidth in data transfer.
• Wi-Fi based networks work at 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz .

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. With reference to ‘LiFi’, recently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)

1. It uses light as the medium for high speed data transmission.
2. It is a wireless technology and is several times faster than ‘WiFi’.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

• Li-Fi stands for Light Fidelity and is a Visible Light Communications (VLC) system which runs wireless communications that travels at very high speeds. The term was coined by University of Edinburgh Professor Harald Haas during a TED Talk in 2011. Haas envisioned light bulbs that could act as wireless routers.
• Wi-Fi technology uses radio waves for transmission, whereas Li-Fi utilizes light waves. Wi-Fi works well for general wireless coverage within the building/ campus/compound, and Li-Fi is ideal for high density wireless data coverage in a confined area or room and is free from interference issues unlike the Wi-Fi. Speed of data transmission for Li-Fi is approximately 1 Gbps and for Wi-Fi – IEEE 802.11n is approximately 150 Mbps. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.
• Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q. What is the difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices? (2011)

(a) Bluetooth uses 2.4 GHz radio frequency band whereas Wi-Fi can use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band

(b) Bluetooth is used for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) only, whereas Wi-Fi is used for Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN) only

(c) When information is transmitted between two devices using Bluetooth technology, the devices have to be in the line of sight of each other, but when Wi-Fi technology is used the devices need not be in the line of sight of each other

(d) The statements (a) and (b) given above are correct in this context

Ans: (a)

Q. Consider the following: (2010)

1. Bluetooth device
2. Cordless phone
3. Microwave oven
4. Wi-Fi device

Which of the above can operate between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz range of radio frequency band?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (d)

• Bluetooth is a wireless technology for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances. The working frequency band is 2.400 to 2.485 GHz. Hence, 1 is correct.
• A cordless telephone works in the frequency band of 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. Hence, 2 is correct.
• Microwave oven uses frequencies of 2.45 GHz. Hence, 3 is correct.
• Wi-Fi is technology for radio wireless local area networking of devices. Wi-Fi most commonly uses the 2.4 GHz band. Hence, 4 is correct.
• Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Source: TH

Mission Integrated Bio-refineries

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Minister of State Science & Technology launched a major futuristic PPP (Public Private Participation) mode initiative for 'Clean Energy' with the full launch of “Mission Integrated Bio-refineries”.

• Material Acceleration Platforms (MAP) set up by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) were also launched which will leverage emerging capabilities in next-generation computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and robotics to accelerate the pace of materials discovery up to 10 times faster.

What is the Need of Mission Integrated Bio-refineries?

• Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport and chemicals sectors already account for nearly one-third of global emissions with transport responsible for already one-fourth of them, and are projected to increase by 2050, in particular from transport.
• Therefore, there is a need for low-carbon and renewable alternatives to fossil-based fuels, chemicals, and materials, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as, long-haul transportation, and industry.

What is the Goal of Mission Integrated Bio-refineries?

• Develop and demonstrate innovative solutions to accelerate the commercialization of integrated biorefineries, with a target of replacing 10% of fossil-based fuels, chemicals and materials with bio-based alternatives by 2030.

What is the Mission Integrated Bio-refineries?

• The Mission is Co-led by India and the Netherlands. Also involved are Brazil and Canada as core members, and the European Commission and the United Kingdom as supporting members.
• This is the sixth Mission launched by Mission Innovation, and joins initiatives focused on clean hydrogen, green power systems, net zero shipping, carbon dioxide removal and urban transitions.
• It will advance sustainable biorefining pathways and technologies to support the development and commercialization of bio-based fuels, chemicals and materials, by also considering process energy demands.
• This will support de-risking new and emerging technology, while improving the cost-competitiveness of bio-based alternatives, notably biofuels.
• The Mission unites a dynamic and results-oriented partnership of countries, international organisations, the corporate sector, academic institutions and civil society to accelerate innovation for renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials for a low- carbon future.
  
  • It will accelerate Clean Energy solutions through Public -Private Alliances.
• Its Members will:
  
  • Promote research, development, and innovation across the biorefining supply and value chain.
  • Advance pilot-scale demonstration projects for sustainable biorefining technologies.
  • Collaborate with industry and standards-setting organisations to support regulatory development for these new products.

What is Mission Innovation?

• Mission Innovation is a global initiative to catalyse action and investment in research, development and demonstration to make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible to all this decade.
  
  • Launched alongside the Paris Agreement in 2015.
• It is the main intergovernmental platform addressing clean energy innovation through action-oriented cooperation.
• Its members represent over 90% of global public investments in clean energy innovation and have increased their annual investments by USD 5.8 billion since 2015.
• The 23 members of Mission Innovation are: Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the UK, the USA, and the European Commission (on behalf of the European Union).

Source: PIB

Broadcast Seva Portal

Why in News?

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched the Broadcast Seva (BS) Portal.

• The portal is likely to help 900 satellite TV channels, 70 teleport operators, 1,700 MSOs, 350 Community Radio Stations (CRS) and 380 private FM channels, among others.

What is the BS Portal?

• About:
  
  • It is a 360 degree digital solution that will facilitate stakeholders in seeking permissions, applying for registration, tracking applications, calculating fees and executing payments.
  • This portal will provide its services under the wider umbrella efforts of Digital India to all stakeholders to private satellite TV channels, teleport operators, Multi-Service Operators (MSOs), community and private radio channels, etc.
• Objective:
  
  • To provide a single point facility to the stakeholders and applicants to apply for various registrations, permissions and licences issued by I&B Ministry for broadcast related activities.
• Significance:
  
  • It will reduce the turnaround time of applications and, at the same time, will help applicants track the progress.
  • Improving India’s business climate is one of the key focus areas of the Government of India and the Broadcast Seva Portal exemplifies the government’s commitment to ease of doing business and empowering the broadcasting sector.
  • The portal will enable establishment of an efficient and transparent system for the growth and management of the Broadcast sector.
  • It is in line with the vision of promoting Make in India and Digital India initiatives.

Source: IE

GST Collections

Why in News?

Gross collections of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rose to Rs 1.42 lakh crore in March 2022 (for sales in February), which is a 14.7% rise from March 2021 and a 45.6% spike from March 2020.

What are the reasons for the Rise of the GST?

• The sharp surge has come on the back of anti-evasion measures, “especially action against fake billers”, and a pick-up in economic activity.
• Rate rationalization measures undertaken by the GST Council to correct 'inverted duty structure'.
  
  • Inverted Tax Structure refers to a situation where the rate of tax, that is GST, on inputs is higher than the rate of tax on output supplies or finished goods.
• Economic recovery and increased domestic consumption.
  
  • The total number of e-way bills generated in February was 6.91 crore, higher than 6.88 crore seen a month ago, despite it being a shorter month, which indicates the “recovery of business activity at faster pace”.

What is Goods and Services Tax?

• GST was introduced through the 101^st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016.
• It is one of the biggest indirect tax reforms in the country.
  
  • It was introduced with the slogan of ‘One Nation One Tax’.
• The GST has subsumed indirect taxes like excise duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), service tax, luxury tax etc.
• It is essentially a consumption tax and is levied at the final consumption point.
• This has helped mitigate the double taxation, cascading effect of taxes, multiplicity of taxes, classification issues etc., and has led to a common national market.
• The GST that a merchant pays to procure goods or services (i.e. on inputs) can be set off later against the tax applicable on supply of final goods and services.
  
  • The set off tax is called input tax credit.
• The GST avoids the cascading effect or tax on tax which increases the tax burden on the end consumer.
• Tax Structure under GST:
  
  • Central GST to cover Excise duty, Service tax etc,
  • State GST to cover VAT, luxury tax etc.
  • Integrated GST (IGST) to cover inter-state trade.
    
    • IGST per se is not a tax but a system to coordinate state and union taxes.
  • It has a 4-tier tax structure for all goods and services under the slabs- 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%.

Source: IE