1.

According to the United Nations (UN) Global E-waste Monitor (GEM) 2024, the global
electronic waste (ewaste) generation is rising 5 times faster than documented e-waste
recycling. Globally the e-waste generation is increasing by 2.6 million tonnes (Mt) annually
The 2024 GEM report is funded and prepared in partnership, with the United Nations
Institute for Training and Research – Sustainable Cycles Programme (UNITAR-SCYCLE), the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Fondation Carmignac.
1. Only 22.3% (less than a quarter) of the e-waste was documented, properly collected, and
recycled in 2022.
2. E-waste generation is set to reach 82 Mt by 2030, a 33% increase from 2022.
3. Bringing e-waste collection and recycling rates to 60% by 2030 could yield benefits
exceeding costs by over USD 38 billion.
4. E-waste contains hazardous substances like mercury, which can damage the human brain
and coordination system, posing health risks to humans and ecosystems.
2. UN World Water Development Report (UN WWDR) 2024, titled “Water for Prosperity and
Peace”.
The UN WWDR 2024, underscores escalating waterrelated conflicts worldwide and urges
enhanced international cooperation and transboundary agreements to ensure peace. • It
emphasises water’s dual role in fostering peace or conflict. Sustainable water management is
crucial for peace and prosperity worldwide.
Key Facts of the UN WWDR 2024:
i.2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water and 3.5 billion lack proper sanitation
access.
ii. UN’s 2030 goal for universal access remains distant, with escalating inequalities.
iii. Water deficits contributed to 10% of the increase in global migration.
Impact on Society and Gender Dynamics:
i.Water scarcity heightens food insecurity and health risks.
ii.Women and girls are disproportionately affected, facing increased burdens, that undermine
women’s education, economic participation, and safety.
Water Scarcity and Migration:
i.Water scarcity drives migration, aggravating water insecurity and social tensions.
ii.Displacement leads to strain on resources and increased gender-based violence.
Importance of Transboundary Agreements:
i.Lack of transboundary agreements heightens conflict risks. Approximately 40% of the
world’s population lives in transboundary river and lake basins.
ii.Only a fifth of countries have cross-border agreements to jointly manage shared resources
equally.
iii.Over 3 billion people globally depend on water that crosses national borders.
iv.But, of 153 countries sharing transboundary rivers, lakes, and aquifers, only 32 have 90%
or more of their transboundary waters covered by operational arrangements.
3. State of the World’s Migratory Species Report released at CMS COP14 in Uzbekistan On
February 12, 2024, the first-ever ‘State of the World’s Migratory Species‘ report was
launched at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14), also known as Bonn
Convention in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Greatest Threats to Migratory Species, as per Report:
Human activities are the primary cause of the decline in migratory species.
 The following two are the greatest threats to both CMS-listed and all migratory species: i.
Overexploitation– This includes unsustainable hunting, overfishing and the capture of non-
target animals such as in fisheries. • Overexploitation impacting 70% of the species on the
UN list. • Seven out of ten CMS-listed species are impacted by overexploitation.
ii. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation from activities such as agriculture and the
expansion of transport and energy infrastructure. • Habitat loss affected up to 75% of the
species. • Three out of four CMS-listed species suffer habitat loss, degradation, and
fragmentation.
Recommendations:
i.Strengthen enforcement against illegal harvesting of migratory species and unintended
capture of non-target species.
ii.Expand initiatives to identify, safeguard, link, and properly manage critical sites for
migratory species.
iii.Prioritize action for endangered species, especially CMS-listed fish species.
iv.Increase efforts to combat climate change, light, noise, chemical, and plastic pollution.
v.Consider widening CMS listings for additional at-risk migratory species.

4. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its ‘Food Waste Index Report 2024-
Think Eat Save Tracking Progress to Halve Global Food Waste‘ which tracks the progress of countries
to halve food waste by 2030.

As per it, world wasted an estimated 19% of the food produced globally in 2022, or about 1.05 billion
metric tons. This equals to 132 kilograms per person, amounting to nearly one-fifth of all available
food.

• The report is co-authored by UNEP and Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), an
international charity.

Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 is committed to halve per capita global food waste at the retail
and consumer levels and to reduce food loss across supply chains by 2030.

i.Globally, each person wastes about 79 kilograms of food annually, totaling at least 1 billion meals
wasted daily.

ii.Household waste contributes to 60% of food wastage, followed by 28% from food service and 12%
from retailers.

iii.783 million people facing chronic hunger globally and escalating food crises in many region

Governments and industry groups employ public-private partnerships to reduce food waste, focusing
on measurement and redistribution strategies.

• Only a few G20 countries like Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the
European Union (EU) have suitable food waste tracking systems, emphasizing the need for consistent
measurement and reporting to guide progress toward 2030 goals.