“EV AS A SERVICE” PROGRAMME

• The  The Union Minister of Power launched the ''EV as a Service'' program to meet the growing demand for EVs in the government sector.

 What is CESL ?

• It is a newly formed subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL); a joint venture of public sector companies under the Ministry of Power.
• It aims to promote battery-powered electric mobility, provides renewable energy solutions, and establishes business models to increase the adoption of electric vehicles across India.
• It has deployed nearly 2,000 electric vehicles in India and has supported the deployment of about 17,000 electric buses. 
• It is involved in the development of electric vehicle infrastructure and the promotion of electric mobility solutions across the country.

Adaptation Gap Report 2024

•  The “Adaptation Gap Report 2024: Come Hell and High Water” was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme.
• It is an annual e-book by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Its reason is to assess international development on climate change models, i.e. the efforts made by countries to modify and put together for present day and future climate impacts. 
• Adaptation gap refers to the distinction between the real adaptation efforts being carried out and the edition needed to mitigate the risks posed by climate change.

Key Highlights

• Adaptation Finance Gap: Although global public version finance for developing countries accelerated to $28 billion in 2022, the overall gap remains massive.
• Even doubling version finance from 2019 levels, as centered by 2025 under the Glasgow Climate Pact, would only lessen the finance gap by about 5%.
• Adaptation Planning and Implementation: 87% of countries now have as a minimum one national variation planning tool. Of those, 51 percent have a 2nd, and 20 percent have a third.
• Aligning National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is critical for strategic implementation.
• UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (FGCR): Progress closer to UAE FGCR goals, agreed at COP 28, is mixed, with thematic regions like poverty reduction and cultural background protection wanting greater consciousness.
• Many NAPs reference UAE FGCR goals however lack complete records and making plans for all sectors.
• Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer: Enhancing potential and technology switch in developing countries is critical but currently lacks effectiveness because of uncoordinated, short-term efforts.

Challenges in bridging the Finance Gap

• Complexity of Financing Instruments: The version finance landscape including resilience bonds, debt-for-adaptation swaps, and overall performance-based climate grants.
• Implementing those units effectively demands strong institutional capacity, that is missing in developing countries.
• Policy Barriers: An absence of robust allowing policies, such as climate risk disclosure frameworks and model taxonomies, hinders private sector engagement.
• High Dependence on Public Finance: The report highlights the restricted involvement of the private region, which can contribute greater, mainly in sectors wherein there are sales-producing opportunities.

Policy Recommendations

• Adaptation efforts must prioritize equity and equity to keep away from exacerbating current inequalities, particularly regarding gender and disadvantaged groups.
• The principle of “commonplace however differentiated duties” needs to be bolstered in climate finance discussions.
• Implement holistic strategies that cover edition finance, capacity-building, and generation switch as part of an incorporated improvement method.

African Penguin faces extinction: IUCN puts it on critically endangered list

• The African Penguin, an iconic species known for its distinctive black-and-white plumage, has been reclassified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• This alarming development places the beloved bird just one step away from extinction in the wild, making it the first of the world''s 18 penguin species to reach this critical status.
• Conservation organisations SANCCOB and BirdLife South Africa, supported by Blue Marine, are calling for immediate action from the South African government and the international community to save the species.
• The primary threat to the African Penguin''s survival is food scarcity, exacerbated by climate change and competition from commercial fishing near breeding colonies.
• While existing no-take zones prohibit commercial fishing in some areas, research has shown these measures are inadequate for penguin conservation3. Scientists, including Dr. Alistair McInnes from BirdLife South Africa and Dr. Richard Sherley from the University of Exeter, recommend expanding these zones to provide greater benefits to penguins without significantly impacting the fishing industry.
• The reclassification to Critically Endangered points to the urgent need for collaborative, cross-sector action to prevent the extinction of this charismatic species.
• Time is running out for the African Penguin, and immediate, decisive measures are crucial to ensure its survival in the wild.

DRDO conducts maiden flight-test of Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)

• The DRDO conducts maiden flight-test of Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden flight-test of Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on November 12.
• The missile performance was monitored by several range sensors like Radar, Electro Optical Tracking System and telemetry deployed by ITR at different locations to ensure complete coverage of the flight path.
• LRLACM is a Defence Acquisition Council-approved mission mode project.
• It is configured to launch from ground using a mobile articulated launcher and also from frontline ships using a universal vertical launch module system.
• LRLACM has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru along with contribution from other DRDO laboratories and Indian industries.
• Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad and Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru are the two development-cum-production-partners for LRLACM and they are engaged in the missile development and integration.
• The defence ministry said all sub-systems of the missile system performed as per expectation and met the primary mission objectives.
• The missile followed the desired path using way point navigation and demonstrated its capability to perform various manoeuvres while flying at various altitudes and speeds.
• The missile is also equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure better and reliable performance.
• The missile performance was monitored by several range sensors like radar, electro optical tracking system and telemetry deployed at different locations to ensure complete coverage of the flight path.

Global CO₂ emissions to hit record high in 2024, report says

• The Global Carbon Budget report was published during the COP29 climate summit.
• Global CO2 emissions are set to total 41.6 billion metric tons in 2024
• It is up from 40.6 billion tons in 2023.
• Global carbon dioxide emissions, including those from burning fossil fuels, are set to hit a record high this year, pulling the world further off course from averting more destructive climate extremes.
•  The bulk of these emissions are from burning coal, oil and gas. Those emissions would total 37.4 billion tons in 2024, up by 0.8% in 2023, the report said
• Countries agreed under the 2015 Paris Agreement to try to stop global temperatures rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) to avoid climate change''s worst impacts.
• This would require steep emissions cuts every year from now until 2030 and beyond.
• Instead, fossil fuel emissions have climbed over the last decade. Land use emissions had declined in this period - until this year, when a severe drought in the Amazon caused forest fires, driving up annual land use emissions by 13.5% to 4.2 billion tons.
• Some scientists have said such slow progress means the 1.5C aim can no longer realistically be met
• COP29 host Azerbaijan''s President Ilham Aliyev accused Western countries of hypocrisy for lecturing others while still being major consumers and producers of fossil fuels.
• Emissions in the U.S., the world''s top oil and gas producer and consumer, are expected to decrease by 0.6% this year, while European Union emissions are set to fall by 3.8%.
• Meanwhile, India''s emissions will rise by 4.6% this year, driven by soaring power demand fuelled by economic growth.
• Emissions in China, today the world''s biggest emitter and second-largest oil consumer, are set to marginally increase by 0.2%. The authors said China''s emissions from oil use have likely peaked, as electric vehicles gain market share.
• Emissions from international aviation and shipping are also expected to jump by 7.8% this year, as air travel continues to recover from a drop in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How a war 4,000km afar is fuelling a farm fire in Haryana

• A war 4,000 kilometres away has got farmers in several districts of Haryana protesting. It is because of the Israel-Hamas war and its ripple effects on the Red Sea routes that has resulted in a big shortage of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), a crucial fertiliser, before sowing of Rabi crops
•  The year-long war between Israel and Hamas has severely disrupted the global supply chain of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser, leading to a significant shortage in India.
• India, which primarily depends on imports for this essential fertiliser, is now facing an acute shortfall.
• As the wheat sowing season in Haryana has progressed, farmers across the state are grappling with the shortage of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). Due to this, more and more growers are opting for complexes - mainly combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, and sulphur (NPKS) in various grades.
• DAP is a fertiliser crucial for sowing of Rabi crops like wheat and mustard.
• DAP contains 46 per cent phosphorus (P), a nutrient crops need at the early growth stage of root establishment and development.
• It also fulfils the initial need for nitrogen and sulphur in the crops.
• DAP provides critical nutrients for crops such as wheat and mustard, that are usually sowed during the months of October and November.

Advantages:

• It provides a source of phosphorus in phosphate form, accompanied by a higher nitrogen content than MAP.
• Nitrogen is in ammonium form, which is readily-available for plant uptake.
• Higher solubility than MAP

Drawbacks:

• It produces a higher localized pH in the soil than MAP, which can hinder seed germination and nutrient uptake under certain soil conditions.
• There is greater potential for nitrogen loss than MAP when surface-applied
• Alternatives to DAP include complex fertilisers containing nitrogen (N), P, potassium (K) and sulphur (S) in varying proportions, such as 12:32:16:0, 10:26:26:0, 20:20:0:13 and single super phosphate or SSP (0:16:0:11).
• These have much less P content compared to DAP.
• India primarily depends on imports for this essential fertiliser.
• The DAP imports are affected due to the Red Sea crisis going on since January, due to which fertiliser ships had to cover an additional distance of 6,500 kilometres through the Cape of Good Hope [circumnavigation Africa].

India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC)

• The The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) was announced in September 2023 during the G20 summit in New Delhi, marking a significant step towards enhancing global trade connectivity.
• The corridor aims to reduce transit times and costs by 40% and 30%, respectively, compared to the traditional Suez Canal route. While the corridor promises to be a game-changer for international maritime trade, progress on the project has been delayed due to geopolitical tensions in the West Asian region, particularly the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Geopolitical Challenges and Delayed Progress

• Impact of West Asian Conflict: The normalization of Arab-Israel relations, a critical component for the successful implementation of IMEC, has been disrupted due to the Israel-Palestine conflict. This geopolitical crisis has caused delays, particularly in the northern part of the corridor, which involves key stakeholders like Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
• Slower Northern Implementation: Given the diplomatic complexities and political sensitivities, work on the northern leg of the IMEC is expected to proceed at a slower pace until the security situation in the region stabilizes. This will delay the full realization of the corridor’s potential.
• Strategic Importance of the Project: Despite these setbacks, the IMEC remains a highly significant project, especially for global trade routes, as it promises to reduce shipping time and costs, positioning the corridor as a key alternative to the Suez Canal.

Progress on the Eastern Leg and India-UAE Cooperation

• Growing India-UAE Trade: On the eastern leg of the IMEC, there has been significant progress, particularly in bilateral trade between India and the UAE, which has grown by 93% from 2020 to 2023, driven by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• Non-Oil Trade Expansion: The shift towards non-oil trade between India and the UAE has strengthened the corridor’s role in fostering diversified trade. This trade expansion is crucial for India’s broader goals to increase its exports via the IMEC.
• Virtual Trade Corridor: The launch of the Virtual Trade Corridor between India and the UAE aims to streamline cross-border trade processes, reducing administrative and logistical costs. This initiative is a step toward creating a model for facilitating trade across all IMEC participant countries.

Future Prospects and India’s Role in IMEC

• India’s Port and Logistics Development: India has the opportunity to use the delays in the northern leg of the IMEC to enhance its port infrastructure and domestic logistics. Streamlining logistics and improving the digital footprint in the sector will make Indian exports more competitive.
• Integration into Global Supply Chains: The full benefits of the IMEC will be realized only if India can strengthen its manufacturing sector and enhance its integration into global value chains. This is essential for India to become a viable global supply chain alternative.

Mines ministry, IEA ink pact for cooperation in critical mineral sector

• The Ministry of Mines entered into a pact with the International Energy Agency (IEA) for cooperation in the area of critical minerals.
• The IEA is an international organisation within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
• The Cabinet had earlier this month approved the proposal of signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between IEA and the Ministry of Mines.
• Critical minerals, which are essential for a range of clean energy technologies,  have risen up the policy agenda in recent years due to increasing demand, volatile price movements, supply chain bottlenecks and geopolitical concerns.

What is the role of International Energy Agency? 

• The International Energy Agency (IEA) was established in 1974 within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to implement an international energy programme. 
• The IEA was born due to the 1973-1974 oil crisis, when industrialised countries found they were not adequately equipped to deal with the oil embargo imposed by major producers that pushed prices to historically high levels. 
• This first oil shock led to the creation of the IEA in November 1974 with a broad mandate on energy security and energy policy cooperation. This included setting up a collective action mechanism to respond effectively to potential disruptions in oil supply.
• As a result, countries seeking to become members of the IEA must also be members of the OECD and hold 90 days of oil imports as commercial stocks. 
• But over the years, the IEA’s mission has expanded substantially and today the agency is working with major economies around the world to enhance energy security and to help accelerate their clean energy transitions.
• The IEA’s collective emergency response system mechanism ensures a stabilising influence on markets and the global economy.
• Today, IEA, with its headquarters in Paris, is at the center of the global energy debate, focusing on a wide variety of issues, ranging from electricity security to investments, climate change and air pollution, energy access and efficiency, and much more.
• The basic aim of the IEA is to foster cooperation among its member countries and to increase energy security through energy conservation, development of alternative energy sources and energy research, development and demonstration. 
• The IEA is made up of 31 member countries. In addition, the IEA family also includes 13  association countries. Five countries are seeking accession to full membership, Chile, Colombia and Israel.
• India joined the IEA as an association country in 2017.

Highlights of the MoU:

• The present association would provide India with access to reliable data, analysis, and policy recommendations in the critical mineral sector.
• This collaboration would enable India to streamline its policies, regulations, and investment strategies in the critical mineral sector, aligning them with global standards and best practices.
• The agreement would also promote capacity building and knowledge exchange between India and the IEA member states. The collaboration on data collection, modelling, and analysis would enhance India’s technical capabilities and institutional capacity in the critical mineral sector.
• Joint research projects, workshops, and training programmes carried out under this agreement would help fostering collaboration and innovation in technology development, extraction techniques, and recycling methods for critical minerals.

SNAKEBITE ENVENOMING DECLARED A NOTIFIABLE DISEASE

• The Tamil Nadu government has taken an important step to manage this issue by officially making snakebite envenomation a notifiable disease.

What Does "Notifiable Disease" Mean?

• When a disease is made "notifiable," it means that health facilities must report all cases of the disease to the government.
• This helps authorities collect data and respond to outbreaks more effectively.
• The World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations, 1969 require disease reporting to the WHO in order to help with its global surveillance and advisory role.
• The Centre has notified several diseases such as cholera, diphtheria, encephalitis, leprosy, meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough), plague, tuberculosis, AIDS, hepatitis, measles, yellow fever, malaria dengue, etc. The onus of notifying any disease and the implementation lies with the state government.
• Any failure to report a notifiable disease is a criminal offence and the state government can take necessary actions against defaulters.

What is Snakebite Envenoming?

• Snakebite envenoming happens when a venomous snake injects poison (venom) into a person through its bite.
• Venom can cause serious health problems, including damage to nerves, blood problems, kidney failure, and tissue damage.

Important Facts

• Every year, around 5.4 million people are bitten by snakes worldwide, with about 1.8 to 2.7 million of these cases resulting in venom entering the body.
• Between 81,410 and 137,880 people die each year because of snakebites, and many more suffer from permanent disabilities, including loss of limbs.
• In Asia up to 2 million people are envenomed by snakes each year, while in Africa there are an estimated 435 000 to 580 000 snake bites annually that need treatment. 

Who is Most Affected?

• Snakebites are more common in warmer areas like Africa, Asia, and Latin America, especially in rural areas where people live or work near snakes.
• Farmers, children, and people living in areas with poor access to hospitals are most affected. Children may suffer more severely because of their smaller body size.
• Effects of Snakebite Envenoming
• Paralysis: Venom can stop the muscles from working, which can lead to difficulty breathing.
• Venom can prevent blood from clotting, which can lead to dangerous bleeding.
• Some venoms affect the kidneys and can cause kidney failure.
• Venom can destroy tissue around the bite, leading to the need for amputation (surgical removal of a limb) in severe cases.

Treatment

• The best treatment is antivenom, which is a medicine made to neutralize snake venom.
• Antivenoms are included in the World Health Organization (WHO) List of Essential Medicines and should be available in areas where snakebites are common.

Challenges with Antivenoms

• Making antivenoms is complicated because each type of venom is different, and it’s challenging to produce antivenoms that work for all types of snakes in different regions.
• High costs and limited availability make it hard for people in remote areas to get antivenoms.
• Some fake or poor-quality antivenoms have been sold, which has made people doubt the effectiveness of antivenom treatment.

WHO’s Goal for Snakebite Envenoming

• By 2030, WHO aims to reduce the deaths and disabilities caused by snakebites by 50%. This can be achieved by:
• Educating communities on prevention and first aid for snakebites.
• Providing safe, affordable antivenoms.
• Training healthcare workers to treat snakebites effectively.
• Improving partnerships and resources to address snakebite problems.
• India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also launched a National Action Plan earlier this year, aiming to reduce snakebite deaths by 50% by 2030.

What is Pinaka MBRL?.

• India has been rapidly scaling up its defence manufacturing capabilities, emerging as a growing player in the global defence market. One of the most notable successes in this area has been the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL), a sophisticated weapon system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The Pinaka MBRL is a powerful artillery weapon system designed to deliver a large volume of fire in a short time, targeting critical enemy positions with high accuracy.
• Developed by the DRDO, this rocket system is produced by a consortium of Indian companies, including Solar Industries, Larsen & Toubro, Tata, and Ordnance Factory Board.
• The system is capable of hitting targets up to 75 kilometers and beyond, with various variants catering to different battlefield requirements.
• The Pinaka system''s impressive range, firepower, and precision have earned it the nickname "India’s HIMARS" (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), drawing comparisons to the advanced artillery systems used by the U.S. Army.

Key Features of the Pinaka System

• Battle-Proven Accuracy: The Pinaka system offers precision, delivering heavy firepower with high positioning accuracy. It maintains one milliradian accuracy in both azimuth and elevation, allowing for pinpoint strikes on time-sensitive targets.
• Speed and Efficiency: The system’s "shoot and scoot" capability enables it to quickly move after launching rockets, thus minimizing the risk of counter-battery fire. In just 44 seconds, it can fire 12 rockets, making it an effective tool for saturating enemy positions in a short time.
• Advanced Features: The Pinaka rocket launcher is equipped with auto-levelling and stabilization mechanisms, ensuring it remains steady during firing. Its inertial navigation system allows for rapid and accurate targeting, programming all 12 rockets within 20 seconds.
• Indigenous Components: One of the key strengths of the Pinaka system is its reliance on indigenous subsystems, developed within India. This not only enhances the system''s operational reliability but also supports the country’s strategic goals of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The Pinaka System vs. HIMARS

• The Pinaka system is often compared to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a similar weapon used by the U.S. Army.
• While both systems are designed for long-range artillery fire, the Pinaka’s key differentiators lie in its cost-effectiveness and indigenous design, which make it an attractive option for countries seeking to modernize their artillery capabilities without incurring exorbitant costs.

Comparative Features:

• Range: Both systems offer long-range capabilities, but the Pinaka can strike targets up to 75 kilometers, while HIMARS can target areas even farther, depending on the specific ammunition used.
• Flexibility: HIMARS is known for its modular design, capable of launching multiple types of rockets and missiles, including ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System). The Pinaka, while highly versatile in its own right, focuses on multiple variants of rocket-based artillery for different battlefield needs.
• Indigenous Development: While HIMARS is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the Pinaka is 100% indigenous, developed by DRDO and produced by several Indian private sector companies, demonstrating India''s growing capabilities in high-tech defence production.

What is the role of SATRC & Asia-Pacific Telecommunity?

 • The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) organised the 25th meeting of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-25) in New Delhi from November 11 to 13. The meeting was hosted by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). 

• SATRC is an initiative under the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) that promotes regional cooperation and harmonised regulatory practices across South Asia’s telecommunications sector.

• The SATRC meeting is held annually to discuss and coordinate regulatory and other related issues in the area of telecommunication and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that are common for the regulators of SATRC Members. 

• The SATRC-25 discussed the key policy and regulatory issues in the SATRC Member countries. 

What is SATRC?

• South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) functions under the umbrella of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) as one of the sub-regional activities. 

• At present, the Council is composed of the heads of the regulatory bodies of nine South Asian countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 

• Affiliate members from these countries are also taking active participation in SATRC activities. 

• The SATRC meets annually to discuss the key policy and regulatory issues of concern to the SATRC members.

• The SATRC was formed in 1997 by an initiative of APT and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. 

• The SATRC is responsible for discussion and coordination of all the issues relating to regulations in telecommunication and ICT which are of common interest to the telecommunication regulators in South Asian countries. 

• These issues include radio frequency coordination, standards, regulatory trends and issues, strategies for telecommunication development and telecommunication related international affairs. 

• The Council also identifies and promotes areas of potential cooperation in telecommunication among South Asian countries, and facilitates the exchange of information in these areas.

• SATRC activities are conducted by involvement of the highest level representations by the regulatory bodies of the South Asian countries.

Asia-Pacific Telecommunity

• Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) is an inter-governmental organisation established in February 1979 with the aim of promoting ICT development in the Asia-Pacific region.

• It was founded by the joint initiative of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

• APT has 38 member administrations (Member), four administrations who are under the category of Associate Members, and 135 private companies and academia (Affiliate Members) whose works are relevant to ICT field.

• As the only inter-governmental organisation focusing on ICT field in the Asia-Pacific region, APT provides important platforms for ICT policy and regulatory coordination, and for consolidating regional voices for international fora such as Conferences of International Telecommunication Union (ITU). 

• APT also organises a variety of capacity building programmes related to ICT topics, and implements several pilot projects to promote ICT development in the region.

• In addition, APT provides sub-regional platforms to facilitate achieving sub-regional common interests. For example, South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC), under the umbrella of APT, organises working groups for policy and regulation, and spectrum to facilitate harmonisation among parties concerned.

 Objectives of APT:

i) Promote the expansion of telecommunication services and information infrastructure and the maximisation of the benefits of information and telecommunications technology for the welfare of the people in the region.

ii) Develop regional cooperation in areas of common interest, including radio communications and standards development.

iii) Undertake studies relating to developments in telecommunication and information infrastructure technology and policy and regulation in coordination with other international organisations, where pertinent.

iv) Encourage technology transfer, human resource development and the exchange of information for the balanced development of telecommunication services and information infrastructure within the region.

v) Facilitate coordination within the region with regard to major issues pertaining to telecommunication services and information infrastructure with a view to strengthening the region’s international position.

• The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the APT and it is composed of all the Members and Associate Members of the Telecommunity. It meets in ordinary session every three years and in extraordinary session when circumstances require.