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ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
CLIMATE CHANGE
5th Assessment Report (AR5) of IPCC
1. The 5th Assessment Report (AR5) consists of 3 Working Group (WG) Reports and a Synthesis Report.
The 1st Working Group Report was published in 2013 and the rest were completed in 2014.
a. WG I: The Physical Science Basis - 30 September 2013, Summary for Policymakers - published 27
September 2013.
b. WG II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability - 31 March 2014
c. WG III: Mitigation of Climate Change - 11 April 2014
d. AR5 Synthesis Report (SYR) - 2 November 2014
2. Major findings:
a. In the longer term, in all except the Low-emission scenario, global warming at the end of the 21st
century is likely to be at least 1.5cl.
b. In higher emission scenarios warming is likely to be 2cl.
c. The report warns that if emissions are not reduced significantly globally, average global temperatures
could rise by 2.6 to 4.8cl.
d. For India -
i. In the Indo-Gangetic plains which produce 90 million tonnes of wheat a year (about 14-15%
of global production), projections indicate a substantial fall in yields unless there is a shift to
different crop varieties and management practices.
ii. It adds that the incidence of many diseases, such as dengue and Japanese Encephalitis, increase
at higher temperatures. In the last few years the incidence of these vector borne diseases has
increased in India.
iii. The Asia region, as a whole, experienced the most weather and climate-related disasters in the
world between 2000 and 2008, and suffered the second-highest proportion (almost 30%) of
total global economic losses.
e. Synthesis Report, 2014
i. The report is more categorical in asserting that the observed changes are not just a natural
fluctuation but a consequence of anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases.
ii. At the current rate of emissions, even after factoring all the promises by countries to reduce
their emissions, the world is headed for nearly 4 degrees rise in global atmospheric temperature
by the end of the century.
iii. The (IPCC) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report states that, the levels of 3 key
greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide - are the highest in 800,000
years.
iv. The period between 1983 and 2012 were most likely to be the warmest 30-year period in the
last 1,400 years.

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v. It also states that increased oceanic uptake of carbon dioxide has resulted in a 26% rise in
acidity in oceans.
vi. The IPCC synthesis report presents a global carbon budget for containing the likely temperature
increase to 2cl above pre-industrial levels. To meet this goal, cumulative emissions would have
to be limited to 790 gigatonnes of carbon (GtC) - of which we have used up 515 GtC, leaving
us with 275 GtC. To stay within this budget, global emissions will have to come down by 40-
70% of the 2010 level by 2050 and to zero by the end of the century.
vii. It stresses that this cost for coping with climate change is both affordable-about 0.06% of GDP
every year-especially as global GDP is set to grow by at least 300% in this period and that the
cost of inaction is much higher than the cost of action.
viii. The synthesis report calls for a radical increase in global low-carbon electricity generation,
including renewable and nuclear, from about 30% today to "more than 80% by 2050.
Paris Agreement
1. The 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) successfully concluded in Paris. They adopted the Paris Agreement on post-2020
actions on climate change. This universal agreement will succeed the Kyoto Protocol.
2. Its salient features are -
a. The Paris Agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries by
recognizing their right to development and their efforts to harmonize it with the environment, while
protecting the interests of the most vulnerable.
b. The Agreement seeks to enhance the 'implementation of the Convention' while reflcting the principles
of equity and (CBDR-RC) Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities
in the light of different national circumstances.
c. Countries are required to communicate to the UNFCCC climate action plans known as Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDCs) every 5 years. Each Party's successive NDC will represent a
progression beyond the Party's then current NDC thereby steadily increasing global effort and ambition
in the long term.
d. The Agreement is not mitigation-centric and includes other important elements such as adaptation,
loss and damage, finance, technology development and transfer, capacity building and transparency
of action and support.
e. Climate action will also be taken forward in the period before 2020. Developed countries are urged
to scale up their level of financial support with a complete road map towards achieving the goal of
jointly providing US$ 100 billion by 2020. At the same time, a new collective quantified goal based
on US$ 100 billion floor will be set before 2025.
f. The Agreement mandates that developed countries provide financial resources to developing countries.
Other Parties may also contribute, but on a purely voluntary basis.
g. Developed countries are urged to take the lead in mobilization of climate finance, while noting the
significant role of public funds in the mobilization of finance which should represent a progression
beyond their previous effort.
h. The Agreement includes a robust transparency framework for both action and support.
i. Starting in 2023, a global stock-take covering all elements will take place every 5 years to assess the
collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the Paris Agreement and its long term goals.
j. The Paris Agreement establishes a compliance mechanism, overseen by a committee of experts that
operates in a non-punitive way, and is facilitative in nature.

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Green Finance
1. It refers to Financial Investments flowing towards sustainable development projects and initiatives that
encourage the development of a more sustainable economy.
2. Green finance includes different elements like greening the banking system, the bond market and institutional
investment.
3. Some issues which need to be taken note of.
a. Green fianc should not be limited only to investment in renewable energy, as, for a country like
India, coal based power accounts for around 60% of installed capacity. Emphasis should be on
greening coal technology.
b. Green bonds are perceived as new and attach higher risk and their tenure is also shorter. There is
a need to reduce risks to make them investment grade.
c. There is also a need for an internationally agreed upon definition of green financing as its absence
could lead to over-accounting.
d. Banks should not overestimate risks while providing green finance.
e. Green finance should also consider unsustainable patterns of consumption as a parameter in deciding
finance, particularly conspicuous consumption and unsustainable lifestyles in developed countries.
(INDCs) Intended Nationally Determined Contributions
1. INDCs are plans by governments communicated to the UNFCCC regarding the steps they will take to
address climate change domestically.
2. As per the (COP) Conference of the Parties 19 decision (Warsaw 2013), all Parties were requested to
prepare their INDCs. Accordingly, India submitted its INDC to the UNFCCC on 2 October 2015.
3. List of India's INDC
a. To put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and
values of conservation and moderation.
b. To adopt climate friendly and cleaner path than the one hitherto followed by others at a corresponding
level of economic development.
c. To reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% of the 2005 level by 2030.
d. To achieve about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel- based energy
resources by 2030 with the help of transfer of technology and low cost international finance including
from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
e. To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2eq.) through
additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
f. To better adapt to climate change by enhancing investments in development programmes in sectors
vulnerable to climate change, particularly agriculture, water resources, the Himalayan region, coastal
regions, health and disaster management.
g. To mobilize domestic and new and additional funds from developed countries for implementing
these mitigation and adaptation actions in view of the resources required and the resource gap.
h. To build capacities, create a domestic framework and an international architecture for quick diffusion
of cutting-edge climate technology in India and for joint collaborative R&D for such future
technologies.

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Clean Power Plan - by Obama

1. Clean power plan will set limits on power-plant carbon emissions for the 1st time
a. Plants will have to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 32% from 2005 levels by 2030
b. Until now, there were no federal limits to the amount of pollution that coal-fired power plants could
dump into the air.
2. The plants provide about 37% of the US power supply and account for 40% of US emissions.
3. Plan expected to lower energy bills, create jobs in renewable energy sector and ensure reliable energy
services.
4. Comment -
a. Obama aims to set an example ahead of the UN climate change summit December at Paris.
b. Businesses and investors welcomes the rules
c. Will trigger a switch from coal power to wind and solar power
d. It is seen as the strongest step taken by a US president to tackle climate change.
e. US is the world's 2nd biggest emitter after china.
(HFCs) Hydro-Fluoro-Carbons in Montreal Protocol
1. Context -
a. India has submitted its proposal for amending the Montreal Protocol to bring HFCs within its ambit.
It was seen as a major climb-down for India, which till recently had been opposing the push for
including HFCs in the Montreal Protocol.
2. What are HFCs?
a. HFCs, or hydro-fluoro-carbons, compounds of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon, are gases that are
commonly used as refrigerants and coolants in refrigerators and air-conditioners, in fire extinguishers,
furniture making, as solvents for cleaning, and other purposes. 19 of these HFCs are used in different
kinds of appliances.
3. What is the Montreal Protocol?
a. Montreal Protocol, which came into being in 1987, seeks to eliminate production and use of ozone-
depleting substances, mainly CFCs (Chloro Fluoro Carbons) and HCFCs (Hydro Chloro-Fluoro
Carbons). CFCs and later HCFCs were being used for everything that HFCs are used now for, but
it was found that these were depleting the ozone layer, which protects life on earth from the sun's
harmful ultraviolet radiation. As CFCs and HCFCs started being phased out, HFCs, which are
harmless to the ozone layer, started replacing them.
4. So what is the problem with HFCs now?
a. HFCs have a Greenhouse gas effect, just like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), and contribute
to global warming. In fact, the global warming potential of some HFCs are thousands of times more
than carbon dioxide, the most common Greenhouse gas. One particular HFC, called HFC-23
(chemically CHF3), which is used in very low temperature refrigeration and fire control, is known
to have about 12,000 times more global warming potential than CO2. So while the HFCs solved one
problem, they created another.
5. How does the world want to deal with this problem?
a. There is a general agreement that HFCs must be phased out, just like CFCs and HCFCs. Some
countries, like India, wanted it to happen through the international climate change regime, under

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Kyoto Protocol, as is the case for other greenhouse gases. However, developed countries wanted
HFCs to be put under the Montreal Protocol, considering the urgency of the problem. Montreal
Protocol is considered to be a highly successful mechanism, having already eliminated the most
dangerous of CFCs in just about 2 decades. But the Montreal Protocol would need to be amended
because currently its specific mandate is to phase out "ozone-depleting" substances which HFCs are
not.
6. Why didn't India want to put HFCs under Montreal Protocol?

a. On the face of it, India's objection was procedural. Montreal Protocol deals with ozone-depleting
substances, which HFCs are not. These are greenhouse gases and are already listed amongst those
that need to be progressively reduced under the Kyoto Protocol that seeks to control emissions of
greenhouse gases. India's argument was that there was no need to change this arrangement. Behind
this argument, however, were practical considerations. The Montreal Protocol is legally binding on
all its signatories. That means each of the 190-plus countries would have to mandatorily phase out
HFCs if the amendment is carried through. The Kyoto Protocol, on the other hand, puts "differentiated
responsibility" on developed and developing countries to cut down greenhouse gas emissions. If
HFCs continue to remain under the Kyoto Protocol, only the rich and industrialised countries, a
group of about 40 nations in the current climate change regime, would be legally bound to phase
them out. The others, including India and China, are not mandated to reduce their emissions, but if
they do cut down on HFCs, they can claim 'carbon credits' and sell them in the carbon market to
earn revenues.

7. So, what explains India's change of mind?

a. The turnaround has been been in the making for at least 2 years now. The declaration that emerged
out of the St Petersburg G-20 summit in September 2013, talked about "using the expertise and the
institutions of the Montreal Protocol to phase down the production and consumption of
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)". India was party to that declaration. A year later, almost the exact
language was used in the joint statement after the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and US
President Obama in Washington. When Obama came visiting in January, the joint statement said the
"President and Prime Minister reaffirmed their prior understanding from September 2014 concerning
the phase-down of HFCs and agreed to cooperate on making concrete progress in the Montreal
Protocol this year".

b. Instead of just agreeing to the amendment, India has tried to be proactive by putting forward its own
proposal. India has not spelt out the reasons for changing its stand, but some things are obvious.
Carbon markets are no longer lucrative and the global architecture on climate change is slated to be
significantly altered later this year. India has also demanded establishment of a finance mechanism
wherein the developing countries can claim compensation for the costs of converting chemical plants
to adopt new technologies.

8. What else is in India's proposal?

a. India has asked for a 15-year grace period for developing countries to phase out HFCs and shift to
newer technologies. That means whatever deadline is fixed for developed countries (the likely year
is 2035 to reach 15% of the current levels), developing countries should get another 15 years. Most
countries are agreeable to this demand.

9. Do alternatives to HFCs exist?

a. Yes, though there are no single set of compounds that can replace the HFCs. The European Union
is already said to have been using cleaner alternatives in almost 90% of its refrigerators and 25% of
its industrial air conditioners.

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BIO-FUELS
Centre set up for bio-fuel research
The Department of Microbiology of Bharathidasan University has set up a Permanent Microalgal Mass
Cultivation Centre for mass production of cyanobacterial and microalgal biomass that could be converted
into bio-fuel.
The centre has been set up at a cost of Rs.1.43 crore sanctioned by the Department of Biotechnology
(DBT) under an Indo-UK collaborative research project being undertaken by N.Thajuddin, Head,
Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University.
The Indo-UK project taken up in collaboration with Dr. Carole Llewellyn, Plymouth Marine Laboratory,
Plymouth, United Kingdom, is aimed at utilisation of wastewater for microalgal biomass production and
conversion of the biomass into bio-energy.
Flex fuel policy of Government to curb pollution worry automakers
India can soon expect a policy on flexible-fuel cars, cars that can run on bio-ethanol and petrol, or a blend
of both. The government is expected to make an announcement before January 26, according to Union
Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.
The move to flex-fuels will decrease pollution and encourage a diversion in the Sugar Industry's output
away from sugar and towards ethanol, Mr. Gadkari said at the annual meeting of the Indian Sugar Mills
Association (ISMA) last month in New Delhi.
Biofuel production would help farmers by supporting the diversification of agriculture into energy, power
and bio-plastics.
Implications for auto industry
A policy on flex-fuel vehicles is likely to affect the automotive industry in several ways. Flex-fuels
are widely used in several countries, famously Brazil and the United States, where they are available
at the pump; examples include E10, E15, E85, the number reflecting the proportion of ethanol.
The technology for the engines that can take these fuels is certainly not new but making the engines
available in India (Union Transport Minister had asked Volkswagen to come up with a flex-fuel
engine) will take the greater part of a year at least. It requires modifications along the supply chain
and calibrating the engine for Indian conditions.
Additionally, such a policy will give manufacturers who are already in flex-fuel markets an advantage
over indigenous producers. Volkswagen, Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai are among
those who have a presence in Brazil and manufacture flex fuel cars.
Impacts on other industries -
At present, the most obvious and reliable source of bio-ethanol in India is sugarcane. The world's
2nd largest sugar market, India produces some Rs. 800 billion of sugar and supports approximately
40 million people.
Ethanol is produced from cane molasses, a by-product of the sugar production process. The
government's current Ethanol Blending Policy mandates 5% blending of ethanol with petrol, though
in reality the average ethanol blending achieved has been just 2%. The government wishes to achieve
10% blending.
A new flex-fuel policy will mean a diversion in the production process to support the production of
ethanol rather than sugar. The government is keen to increase the ethanol component in this mix
partly because the sugar industry has an excess supply problem and consequently sugar prices are
depressed. Mills are mired in debt to cane farmers.
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An industry paper by McKinsey & Company suggests that 5 million MT (Metric Tonnes) of excess
sugar could be exported or diverted to Ethanol production.
If a flex-fuel policy comes into effect, the additional ethanol demand will likely exceed what can be
produced by diverting resources from sugar.
FOREST
Compensatory Afforestation Bill -
1. Compensatory afforestation is a concept in India since 1980s. According to it, if a development project
seeks land inside a protected area then Government. It will impose levies on project proponent. This
money will be used to plant trees to compensate for forest loss.
2. In May 2015, Environment Ministry introduced this bill in Lok Sabha.
3. Key provisions of the Bill:
a. Creation of Compensatory Afforestation Funds: The Bill seeks to establish a Permanent National
Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of India. It also allows states to establish
State Compensatory Afforestation Funds. The National Fund will be under the central government,
and managed by a National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority
(CAMPA). The central government will appoint a State CAMPA in each state. The State CAMPA
will be responsible for the management of the State Fund.
b. Sources of funds: At present, an ad hoc National CAMPA and ad hoc State CAMPAs, established
by government orders, receive money collected for compensatory afforestation. Once the National
Fund is created, money collected by state governments which has been placed with the existing
National CAMPA will be transferred to the National Fund. Other sources of funds for the National
Fund will be: (i) 10% of the funds collected for compensatory afforestation by states each year; and
(ii) Grants-in-aid/other sums received by, and loans/borrowings taken by the National CAMPA.
c. Utilisation of funds: The money in the National Fund will be used to meet expenditure for the
management of the National CAMPA, and on schemes approved by the National CAMPA.
d. Composition and functions of Authorities: The National CAMPA will consist of a governing body,
an Executive committee, and a Monitoring group, in addition to an administrative support mechanism.
The governing body will be responsible for formulating the broad policy framework for the functioning
of the National CAMPA. The executive committee will be responsible for the approval of annual
plans of State CAMPAs and the formulation and implementation of schemes approved by the
governing body. The monitoring group will be responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of works
implemented by states and fund utilisation by the CAMPAs. The State CAMPA will consist of a
Governing body, a Steering committee, and an Executive committee.
4. Criticism of the Bill -
a. It allows development projects inside a protected area which leads to its fragmentation. This is a
major threat to biodiversity (animals need long stretches to roam).
b. Forests are not only woods, rather a system of biodiversity which can't be recreated easily. According
to study by forest survey of India, artificial regeneration in Karnataka and mahrashtra has failed.
c. Also various states have argued that they don't have land for planting new forests, that's why Funds
raised have been used for the purchasing forest department vehicles or repairing buildings.
Compensatory afforestation is Done alongside railway tracks/highways where survival rates is poor.
5. Way forward -
a. Avoid compensatory afforestation by ensuring that forests are not depelted at first place.

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b. If still done then use this money for Consolidating/preserving the remaining large blocks of natural
old-growth forests. Work for natural restoration of degraed forests instead of artificial i.e. identify
degraded forests with existent root stock and restore by protection measures such as fencing; Do
artificial regeneration only when there is no existing root stock.
Red Sanders
1. In news
a. On 7th april, 2015, 20 people were shot dead in the seshalam forest at the foot of Tirumala hills
in Andhra Pradesh's chittoor district by the RSASTF (Red-Sanders Anti Smuggling Task-Force) of
Andhra Pradesh.
b. Andhra Pradesh. Government claims that the men were part of a gang of of around 100 woodcutters
employed by the timber mafia to smuggle the highly priced red-sanders.
2. About Red Sanders
a. Tree found in dry deciduous forests
b. It is a variety of sandalwood
c. Areas where found
i. Main area -Seshalam & palakamda forests in Andhra Pradeshs kadapa & chittor district
1. In the forest of kadapa and chittoor, 90% of red sanfers are found
ii. Some also found in other districts of Andhra Pradesh. + other contagious patches of Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka
d. It is protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
3. Smuggling
a. It is in huge demand in china, Japan and South-east Asian countries. If in India a tonne of red
sanders fetches Rs. 20 lakh then in these countries it fetches Rs. 60-80 lakh.
b. In these countries it is used
i. In medicine industries
ii. In dye-making
iii. In manufacturing furniture's, musical instruments, chess-sets
c. Present status of regulation
i. Its felling is illegal and export is highly restricted.
ii. In 2014, Andhra Pradesh government took over timber trade.
d. Steps by Andhra Pradesh Government.
i. In 2014, it formed RSATSF to counter smugglers.
ii. Chinese smugglers have been arrested
iii. In 2014, it also took over Timber trade
iv. The logs seized by RSASTF were then sold off. In December 2014, Government raised 990
crore via E-auction at an average rate of 27 lakh/tone which upset the mafia.
v. Operation Sesha: DRI ropes in 17 nations to check red sanders smuggling -April 22, 2015

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1. Launched by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to control smuggling of red sanders

wood.
2. It has involved 17 countries like Malaysia, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, China, Nepal, Myanmar,
Vietnam, Maldives, Pakistan and the Philippines, among others, to track down smugglers.
e. These is a nexus of mafia, political parties and forest officials.
f. Why local people enter into this trade?
i. The 20 wood-cutters killed belong to Vanniyar community, a most backward class and
Malyali Schedule Tribe.
ii. In their hometowns, there are no roads, no school after class V, poor irrigation thus rainfed
agriculture.

Haryana demarcates Mangar Bani forest area

Taking a step towards protecting the Aravalli mountain range, the Haryana government has identified the
Mangar Bani on scientific principles.
As per the exercise carried out by the forest department, the Mangar Bani area has been found to be about
677 acres and the 500-metre buffer will have about 1,200 acre, however abadi areas of the village will be
excluded.
The National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) had earmarked the Mangar Bani grove in Haryana
as "no-construction zone" and said that, it would be out of bounds for tourism activities.
India's forest cover up by 5,871 sq km
Of the 5,871 sq km increase in the forest cover of India, West Bengal accounts for nearly 64% of this
rise, reveals the latest report of Forest Survey of India.
A study conducted by the Forest Survey of India that was recently published points out that West Bengal's
forest cover has increased by 3,810 sq km, which is followed by Odisha where increase in forest cover has
been 1,444 km and Kerala where the increase has been about 622 sq km.
Sunderbans island shrinks by half
In the year 1975, Ghoramara Island in the Sunderbans archipelago in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas
district covered an area of 8.51 sq km. Today it is less than 4.43 sq km.
In 40 years, Island Ghoramara hit by the rising sea (Bay of Bengal) level.