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Fight over including carbon border tax in agenda delays climate talks on day one

Developing countries, including China and India, sparred with rich nations over including "unilateral trade measures", such as the European Union's carbon border tax, in the agenda of the UN climate talks, delaying the formal start of the conference on Monday. Agenda disputes are common at UN climate conferences but this one is especially significant as countries have limited time to agree on a new climate finance goal to help developing countries adapt to and fight climate change, the central issue this year. The conference opened with Azerbaijan, the host of this year's UN climate conference, calling on all countries to urgently resolve outstanding issues to agree on a new climate finance goal, which UN climate chief Simon Stiell said is in the self-interest of every nation. The proceedings were then suspended so delegates could negotiate on the agenda. The opening plenary got significantly delayed as developed and developing countries debated whether to make "unilateral trade measures", such as the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), an agenda item at COP29. China, on behalf of the BASIC group of countries, submitted a proposal to the UN climate body last month requesting that this year's COP address the issue of unilateral trade measures. The CBAM is the EU's proposed tax on energy intensive products, such as iron, steel, cement, fertilisers and aluminium, imported from countries like India and China. The tax is based on carbon emissions generated during the production of these goods. The EU has earlier argued that this mechanism creates a level playing field for domestically manufactured goods, which must adhere to stricter environmental standards and helps curb emissions from imports. However, other nations, particularly developing countries, have pointed out that such a tax could harm their economies and make trade with the EU expensive. They have contended that under the UN climate rules, no nation should impose emission reduction strategies on others. "The BASIC group's proposal reflects the deep concerns of many developing countries, particularly China. It's important to note that this proposal is not only directed against the CBAM, it reflects broader anxieties about the overall direction of industrial policies in the EU and developed countries like the US. "These countries are increasingly restricting their domestic markets to more cost-competitive green products, such as electric vehicles and solar panels manufactured in China. This approach will inevitably delay global climate action, there's no question about it," Li Shuo, Director, China Climate Hub, Asia Society Policy Institute, told PTI. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last month termed CBAM "unilateral and arbitrary" and said that such measures could potentially harm India's industries and disrupt the balance in international trade. According to Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), CBAM will impose an additional 25% tax on carbon-intensive goods exported from India to the EU. This tax burden would represent 0.05% of India's GDP. Another contentious agenda item is the focus on climate finance versus discussion on all global stocktake outcomes.

Electric Two-wheelers: The Key To India's Net Zero Goals

As India accelerates its efforts towards achieving net zero emissions, transportation plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s environmental future. Two-wheelers, in particular, represent a crucial segment of India's transportation system, with their widespread use across both rural and urban areas. By transitioning to electric two-wheelers (E2Ws), India can significantly reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and bolster energy security. The Dominance of Two-wheelers in India Two-wheelers are a vital mode of transportation for millions of Indians. Approximately 30-40 per cent of households in the country own a two-wheeler, and in many cases, these are the primary vehicles for daily commuting. Their flexibility, affordability, and ease of maneuvering through congested city streets make them an indispensable part of urban and rural mobility. But there are environmental costs associated with this reliance. According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), two-wheelers contribute nearly 32 per cent of the air pollutants in Indian cities. Conventional motorcycles and scooters emit harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides, which not only harm the environment but also pose serious health risks to the population. E2Ws: A Path to Cleaner Transportation It is imperative to electrify two-wheelers to reduce the carbon footprint of India’s transport sector. Electric two-wheelers offer a cleaner, greener alternative by eliminating tailpipe emissions entirely. With electric vehicles (EVs), energy requirements shift from oil to electricity, a transition that can be increasingly supported by renewable energy sources such as solar power. The Role of Renewable Energy To ensure that E2Ws fulfill their potential as a low-carbon solution, it is crucial to integrate renewable energy into their charging infrastructure. The widespread use of solar-powered battery chargers and rooftop microgrids, especially in rural and town areas, can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of electric vehicles. With ample rooftop space available in rural regions, solar-powered systems are a practical solution to ensure that electric 2Ws are truly emissions-free. With the evolution of Li-ion battery technology, EV 2Ws can also act as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) by plugging them back into grid during the working/vehicle-idle hours, which offers efficient power distribution by balancing the demand and easing the strain on the system. Building the Ecosystem for E2Ws The successful adoption of electric two-wheelers relies not only on the vehicles themselves but also on the ecosystem that supports them. An efficient network of charging and battery swapping stations, advancements in battery technology with Smart connectivity, and policy incentives are essential to making E2Ws a practical choice for everyday commuters. The government, in partnership with private players, is already working to create the necessary infrastructure. However, more needs to be done to improve the availability of charging/swapping stations, skilled technicians and deeper network of after-sales services to ensure vehicle uptime of 100 per cent, especially in smaller cities and rural areas. The Way Ahead The rise of electric two-wheelers in India represents more than just a technological shift; it symbolises a broader change in lifestyle and thinking. Adopting a future where social well-being, economic efficiency, and environmental responsibility are given top priority is the goal of the shift to sustainable and smarter transportation. The combined efforts of the government, industry stakeholders, and consumers are paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous India. Electric two-wheelers are poised to become a central part of India’s strategy to reach its net zero emissions targets. They offer a solution to some of the country’s most pressing challenges—air pollution, oil dependency, and urban congestion—while contributing to the global fight against climate change. With the right policies and infrastructure in place, the adoption of E2Ws will not only transform the transportation sector but also propel India towards a sustainable future.

Baku Climate Talks: G77 Rejects New Climate Finance Goal Framework

G77 and China reject the framework for a new climate finance goal at the UN climate talks in Baku, demanding USD 1.3 trillion for developing countries. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between developed and developing nations on climate finance. and China, the largest bloc representing around 130 countries at the UN climate talks, on Tuesday rejected the framework for a draft negotiating text on a new climate finance goal -- the central issue at this year's climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The group has also called for an ambitious climate finance target of USD 1.3 trillion, dedicated exclusively to developing countries and covering adaptation, mitigation and loss and damage. G77 and China rejected the substantive framework for a draft negotiating text prepared by the co-chairs of the Ad-Hoc Work Programme on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), arguing that it does not accurately reflect the concerns raised by developing countries. The group demanded that the newly-appointed co-chairs of the NCQG contact group prepare a new text for consideration at the next session. Other groups of developing countries, including the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs), Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Independent Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC), backed G77 and China in this rejection. According to the Loss and Damage Collaboration, an international coalition of climate researchers and activists, G77 and China demanded that the new climate finance package meet their needs and priorities, with a minimum quantum of USD 1.3 trillion, which should support mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage initiatives. The group stressed that the NCQG should not become a global investment goal and it should be a dedicated financial support from developed countries. On the other hand, developed countries want everyone (governments, private companies, investors) to invest in tackling climate change, not to set a strict funding amount that only developed countries need to provide. Developing countries also insist that the new climate finance goal should prioritise public, grant-based and concessional finance, as these types of funding are less burdensome for nations already facing financial challenges. According to the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment, developing countries are also calling for developed nations to provide arrears for the USD 100 billion climate finance goal agreed to in 2009. At COP15 in 2009, developed countries pledged to mobilise USD 100 billion per year to help developing nations adapt to and combat climate change by 2020. However, this target was only met in 2022, with loans accounting for around 70 per cent of the total climate finance provided. Developing countries are also asking that the NCQG impose no conditions on access to climate finance. Among the developed countries, the European Union (EU) has said the amount of public finance depends on several factors, such as funding sources, contributor base and the timeframe of the finance goal. The United States has said the NCQG should be a multi-layered global investment goal applicable to all countries. It has also argued that developing countries already providing substantial climate finance bilaterally should also contribute. According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), high-income industrialised nations (referred to as Annex-II countries) are responsible for providing finance and technology to help developing countries address and adapt to climate change. These countries include the US, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and EU member states, such as Germany and France. Some developed countries, led by the EU and the US, argue that the global economic landscape has shifted significantly since 1992. They suggest that countries that have become wealthier since then, like China and some Gulf states, should also contribute to the new climate finance goal. Developing countries view this as an attempt to shift responsibility from those who have historically benefitted from industrialisation and contributed the most to greenhouse-gas emissions. They argue that expecting them to contribute, especially when many are still grappling with poverty and inadequate infrastructure amid worsening climate impacts, undermines the principle of equity.

Gathering of greens to focus on endangered house sparrow

Thiruvananthapuram: Nature conservationists are set to assemble at Sparrow Park in Palayam's Connemara Market in the city on Tuesday to emphasize the critical need for urban planning that respects and accommodates wildlife, marking National Bird Day. The event, organized by the Writers and Nature Lovers Forum, will begin at 4pm and bring together nature photographers, writers, forest department officials, filmmakers, and journalists to promote a message of urban nature conservation with a focus on the endangered house sparrow. The event will include a ‘photo-click' gathering where nature photographers will capture images of house sparrows, aiming to raise awareness about the coexistence of species within urban spaces. Known for their close relationship with human habitats, house sparrows are rapidly declining due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, and urban development. The event will also mark the release of a biography on renowned Indian ornithologist Salim Ali, authored by C Rahim and published both in English and Malayalam. Ali, known as the ‘Birdman of India', will have his biography unveiled during the event, adding an educational element to the gathering, and honouring a figure who championed nature throughout his life. The event's timing aligns with growing concerns over climate-related disasters in Kerala. A report from the centre for science and environment highlights that, from Jan to Sept this year, Kerala saw over 550 deaths attributed to climate-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and cyclones. With increasing development pressure on urban areas, the Writers and Nature Lovers Forum emphasizes the need for environmentally conscious planning to protect both human and wildlife communities.

Is COP29 “breakthrough” on UN carbon market all it seems?

Azerbaijan’s COP29 presidency claimed an early win at the start of the climate summit when countries waved through long-awaited – and controversial – rules laying the foundations for a new UN carbon market, without any debate. But the approval of the documents setting out key guidelines – or “standards” – for the development of carbon credit projects and carbon removal activities provoked strong opposing reactions. For some, including proponents of carbon credits and the COP29 presidency itself, the adoption late on the first day of the talks in Baku was a major “breakthrough” that ended a years-long deadlock and paved the way to raise hundreds of billions of dollars for climate action. “This will be a game-changing tool to direct resources to the developing world,” COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev said. UN climate chief Simon Stiell told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday that “this is not some bit of arcane UN bureaucracy”, but something that could help countries implement their climate plans “faster and cheaper”. The Azerbaijan COP presidency put a number to that assertion, claiming that “co-operation across borders” under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement using carbon credits could reduce the cost of carrying out national climate plans by $250 billion every year. That figure comes from a theoretical modelling exercise conducted in 2019 by the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), a pro-carbon market group that counts among its members many of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies, including Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, Shell and BP. Climate Home spoke to one carbon market expert who raised doubts over the $250-billion figure due to the number of assumptions made in the study that could be out-of-date by now. “Rushed” approval Many close watchers of carbon market talks strongly objected to the “unprecedented” decision to greenlight the rules in the opening plenary of COP29, bypassing the scrutiny of negotiators and observer groups. They voiced concerns not only about the risk of the resulting carbon credit projects producing dubious emission reductions and dragging down climate ambition, but also about the precedent this move sets. “This decision should have not been rushed through without giving the space to adequately discuss the issues,” said Trishant Dev, programme officer for carbon markets at the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “Especially as, in previous years, several countries objected to the inadequate nature of these standards.”

Carbon Border Tax Debate Delays COP29 Climate Talks Opening

The opening of the UN climate conference, COP29, was delayed as a dispute arose between developing and developed nations over the European Union’s carbon border tax, known as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Developing countries, including China and India, argued against adding "unilateral trade measures" like CBAM to the conference’s agenda, viewing it as potentially harmful to their economies. The delay underscores the tension between nations with differing climate agendas, with limited time available to agree on key issues like climate finance for developing nations. COP29 opened with a call from Azerbaijan, this year's host, for swift resolution on agenda matters to focus on setting a new climate finance goal, considered essential for supporting developing nations in adapting to climate change. Simon Stiell, UN climate chief, emphasized that climate finance is in every nation’s self-interest. However, discussions were promptly halted so delegates could resolve the debate over including CBAM in the agenda, delaying the plenary. The CBAM imposes a tax on imports into the EU of high-emission products, such as steel, cement, and aluminum, manufactured in countries with less stringent carbon regulations, like India and China. The EU justifies this mechanism as a means to create fair competition for EU-produced goods, which adhere to stricter environmental standards. It also aims to curb emissions embedded in imports from countries without similar regulations. However, many developing nations argue that CBAM is economically burdensome, claiming it violates UN climate agreements, which state that no country should impose emissions reduction methods on others. China, representing the BASIC group (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China), submitted a formal request for COP29 to address concerns over CBAM. Li Shuo from the Asia Society Policy Institute stated that the proposal reflects anxieties about the EU's and U.S.’s trade policies, as they increasingly restrict markets to lower-cost green products like electric vehicles and solar panels from China, potentially hindering global climate action. India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, previously criticized CBAM as “unilateral and arbitrary,” cautioning that such measures could disrupt international trade and harm India’s industries. According to Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment, CBAM could impose a 25% tax on carbon-intensive Indian goods exported to the EU, a tax burden estimated to impact 0.05% of India’s GDP. Another divisive issue at COP29 is the prioritization of climate finance. Developing countries, including those in the LMDC (Like-Minded Developing Countries) group and the African Group, insist the conference should focus primarily on climate finance. However, developed countries, including the US, UK, and EU, seek to expand the dialogue to address all “Global Stocktake” outcomes, including emissions mitigation and reducing fossil fuel use. Meena Raman from the Third World Network argues that developed nations are shifting focus from climate finance to other areas, diminishing the chances of meaningful support for developing countries in addressing climate change impacts.

G77 China rejects framework for draft text on new climate finance goal

and China, the largest bloc representing around 130 countries at the UN climate talks, has rejected the framework for a draft negotiating text on a new climate finance goal -- the central issue at this year's climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The substantive framework for a draft negotiating text, prepared by the co-chairs of the Ad Hoc Work Programme on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) and published in October, is the first item for countries to deliberate on. However, on Tuesday, G77 and China rejected the framework, arguing it does not accurately reflect the suggestions that developing countries have made for the new climate finance goal. Other groups of developing countries, including the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs), Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and the Independent Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC), backed G77 and China in this rejection. According to the Loss and Damage Collaboration, an international coalition of climate researchers and activists, G77 and China have requested that the co-chairs prepare a new draft text before the next negotiating session. G77 and China demanded that the new climate finance package meet their needs and priorities, with a minimum quantum of USD 1.3 trillion. The group said that this amount should support mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage initiatives, and should be exclusively allocated to developing countries. Developing countries also insist that the new climate finance goal, or NCQG, should prioritize public, grant-based, and concessional finance, as these types of funding are less burdensome for nations already facing financial challenges. Public finance provides a stable support source, while grants and concessional loans (with very low or zero interest) are easier for developing countries to manage. According to the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment, developing countries are also calling for developed countries to provide arrears for the USD 100 billion climate finance goal agreed to in 2009. At COP15 in 2009, developed countries pledged to mobilize USD 100 billion per year to help developing nations adapt to and combat climate change by 2020. However, this target was only met in 2022, with loans accounting for around 70 percent of the total climate finance provided. Developing countries are also asking that the NCQG impose no conditions on access to climate finance. They say resources provided under the new goal must be predictable, new and additional, adequate, grant-based, and concessional, and must not create fiscal constraints or debt burdens. Among developed countries, the European Union has said that the amount of public finance depends on several factors, such as funding sources, contributor base, and the timeframe of the finance goal. The United States said that the NCQG should be a multilayered global investment goal applicable to all countries. It also argued that developing countries already providing substantial climate finance bilaterally should also contribute.

COP29 में CBAM पर तीखा मतभेद: विकासशील और विकसित देशों के बीच व्यापारिक नीतियों पर टकराव

बकू, अज़रबैजान में चल रहे COP29 के जलवायु सम्मेलन के पहले दिन का आरंभिक सत्र विवादों के चलते देरी से शुरू हुआ, क्योंकि भारत और चीन जैसे विकासशील देशों ने सम्मेलन के एजेंडा में यूरोपीय संघ के कार्बन बॉर्डर एडजस्टमेंट मैकेनिज्म (CBAM) को शामिल करने की मांग की, जिसका अमीर देशों ने कड़ा विरोध किया। यह मुद्दा शुरू से ही बहस का केंद्र बना रहा और इससे सम्मेलन के एजेंडे पर गहरा असर पड़ा। CBAM पर विवाद: विकासशील देशों की चिंताएँ CBAM यूरोपीय संघ का एक प्रस्तावित कर है, जो ऊर्जा-गहन उत्पादों जैसे लोहे, स्टील, सीमेंट, उर्वरक और एल्युमीनियम पर लगाया जाएगा, जो विकासशील देशों से आयात किए जाते हैं। यह शुल्क इन उत्पादों के निर्माण के दौरान उत्सर्जित कार्बन पर आधारित होगा। यूरोपीय संघ का तर्क है कि इस कर से यूरोप के घरेलू उत्पादकों और विदेशी उत्पादकों के बीच उत्सर्जन आधारित लागत समान हो जाएगी और पर्यावरण पर सकारात्मक प्रभाव पड़ेगा। हालांकि, विकासशील देशों का मानना है कि इस प्रकार की नीतियां उनके लिए भारी आर्थिक बोझ बन सकती हैं, और यूरोप के साथ व्यापारिक गतिविधियों को अत्यधिक महंगा कर सकती हैं। वित्त मंत्री निर्मला सीतारमण ने CBAM को "एकतरफा और मनमाना" करार दिया था और चेताया कि इससे भारत के उद्योगों पर नकारात्मक प्रभाव पड़ेगा और वैश्विक व्यापार संतुलन बिगड़ सकता है। दिल्ली स्थित सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) के अनुसार, CBAM के तहत भारत से यूरोप को निर्यात किए गए कार्बन-गहन उत्पादों पर 25% अतिरिक्त कर लगेगा, जो भारत के सकल घरेलू उत्पाद का 0.05% तक प्रभाव डाल सकता है। COP29 के पहले दिन की मुख्य बातें और वित्तीय एजेंडा पर तनाव COP29 का पहला सत्र खासा विलंब से आरंभ हुआ, क्योंकि एजेंडा में CBAM को शामिल करने पर विकसित और विकासशील देशों में तीखी बहस जारी रही। COP29 के मेजबान अज़रबैजान ने सभी देशों से आग्रह किया कि वे लंबित मुद्दों का शीघ्र समाधान निकालें ताकि एक नई जलवायु वित्त व्यवस्था पर सहमति बन सके। UNFCCC के प्रमुख साइमन स्टीएल ने इस बात पर जोर दिया कि जलवायु वित्त किसी भी देश के स्वार्थ में है और इसे दान के रूप में नहीं देखा जाना चाहिए।

Tamil Nadu: 9 महीने में 3000 की मौत.. चौंकाने वाला जलवायु परिवर्तन

फ्रेंड्स ऑफ अर्थ के अनुसार, ग्लोबल वार्मिंग के कारण तमिलनाडु में तूफान, बाढ़ और सूखे सहित मौसमी घटनाओं की संख्या में वृद्धि हुई है और भारत में चालू वर्ष के पहले 9 महीनों में आपदाओं के कारण 3 हजार से अधिक लोगों की मौत हो गई है। हाल ही में, बेमौसम बारिश, अत्यधिक गर्मी, लू, भारी बारिश, तूफान, सूखा और बिजली गिरने जैसी जलवायु परिवर्तन की समस्याएं बढ़ रही हैं। इससे लोगों को काफी परेशानी हो रही है. पूरे तमिलनाडु में लोग हर साल विभिन्न प्राकृतिक आपदाओं का सामना कर रहे हैं। जल, ध्वनि और वायु प्रदूषण का स्तर भी बढ़ रहा है, ग्लोबल वार्मिंग विभिन्न कारकों के कारण है जिनमें कारखानों की संख्या में वृद्धि, वनों की कटाई, प्लास्टिक सामग्री का उपयोग, पेड़ों की कटाई, प्रकृति के खिलाफ गतिविधियाँ करना और अत्यधिक उपयोग शामिल हैं। वाहनों का. इससे जलवायु में बदलाव हो रहा है और नुकसान हो रहा है. जलवायु परिवर्तन के कारण अत्यधिक गर्मी की लहरें, समुद्र के स्तर में वृद्धि और जैव विविधता की हानि सहित विभिन्न प्रभाव पड़ने की संभावना है। इस मामले में, अध्ययन से पता चला कि तमिलनाडु में जलवायु परिवर्तन का प्रभाव दोगुना हो गया है। इस संबंध में फ्रेंड्स ऑफ द अर्थ ने एक्स साइट पेज पर कहा है: सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट द्वारा प्रकाशित रिपोर्ट क्लाइमेट इंडिया 2024: एन असेसमेंट ऑफ एक्सट्रीम वेदर इवेंट्स के अनुसार, तूफान, बाढ़ जैसी चरम मौसम की घटनाओं की संख्या ग्लोबल वार्मिंग से प्रेरित जलवायु परिवर्तन के परिणामस्वरूप तमिलनाडु में सूखा, गर्मी की लहरें और बिजली की घटनाएं बढ़ी हैं, तमिलनाडु में 2023 में 29 दिनों की चरम मौसम की घटनाएं दर्ज की गईं, चालू वर्ष के पहले 9 महीनों में 67 दिन की चरम मौसम की घटनाएं दर्ज की गईं। अकेला। घटनाओं की सूचना दी जाती है. जहां तक ​​भारत का सवाल है, इस साल के पहले 9 महीनों में 93 प्रतिशत दिनों में किसी न किसी तरह की गंभीर मौसम घटना दर्ज की गई है। अकेले इस अवधि के दौरान, आपदाओं के कारण 3,238 लोगों की जान चली गई है। 9,457 मवेशियों की मौत हो गई. 32 लाख हेक्टेयर कृषि फसल नष्ट हो गई है. रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक 2,35,862 घर क्षतिग्रस्त हो गए हैं.

COP29 में CBAM पर तीखा मतभेद विकासशील और विकसित देशों के बीच व्यापारिक नीतियों पर टकराव

CBAM यूरोपीय संघ का एक प्रस्तावित कर है, जो ऊर्जा-गहन उत्पादों जैसे लोहे, स्टील, सीमेंट, उर्वरक और एल्युमीनियम पर लगाया जाएगा, जो विकासशील देशों से आयात किए जाते हैं। यह शुल्क इन उत्पादों के निर्माण के दौरान उत्सर्जित कार्बन पर आधारित होगा। यूरोपीय संघ का तर्क है कि इस कर से यूरोप के घरेलू उत्पादकों और विदेशी उत्पादकों के बीच उत्सर्जन आधारित लागत समान हो जाएगी और पर्यावरण पर सकारात्मक प्रभाव पड़ेगा। हालांकि, विकासशील देशों का मानना है कि इस प्रकार की नीतियां उनके लिए भारी आर्थिक बोझ बन सकती हैं, और यूरोप के साथ व्यापारिक गतिविधियों को अत्यधिक महंगा कर सकती हैं। वित्त मंत्री निर्मला सीतारमण ने CBAM को “एकतरफा और मनमाना” करार दिया था और चेताया कि इससे भारत के उद्योगों पर नकारात्मक प्रभाव पड़ेगा और वैश्विक व्यापार संतुलन बिगड़ सकता है। दिल्ली स्थित सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) के अनुसार, CBAM के तहत भारत से यूरोप को निर्यात किए गए कार्बन-गहन उत्पादों पर 25% अतिरिक्त कर लगेगा, जो भारत के सकल घरेलू उत्पाद का 0.05% तक प्रभाव डाल सकता है। COP29 के पहले दिन की मुख्य बातें और वित्तीय एजेंडा पर तनाव COP29 का पहला सत्र खासा विलंब से आरंभ हुआ, क्योंकि एजेंडा में CBAM को शामिल करने पर विकसित और विकासशील देशों में तीखी बहस जारी रही। COP29 के मेजबान अज़रबैजान ने सभी देशों से आग्रह किया कि वे लंबित मुद्दों का शीघ्र समाधान निकालें ताकि एक नई जलवायु वित्त व्यवस्था पर सहमति बन सके। UNFCCC के प्रमुख साइमन स्टीएल ने इस बात पर जोर दिया कि जलवायु वित्त किसी भी देश के स्वार्थ में है और इसे दान के रूप में नहीं देखा जाना चाहिए। BASIC देशों (ब्राजील, दक्षिण अफ्रीका, भारत, चीन) ने UNFCCC के समक्ष CBAM को लेकर एक प्रस्ताव पेश किया, जिसमें इस प्रकार की एकतरफा व्यापारिक नीतियों को छोड़ने का आग्रह किया गया। चीन के जलवायु नीति निदेशक ली शुओ ने BASIC देशों की चिंताओं को स्पष्ट करते हुए कहा कि CBAM जैसी नीतियाँ विकासशील देशों के हितों के लिए हानिकारक हो सकती हैं और यह जलवायु परिवर्तन के खिलाफ वैश्विक प्रयासों में रुकावट डाल सकती हैं। विशेषज्ञों की राय और CBAM का संभावित प्रभाव चीन क्लाइमेट हब के निदेशक ली शुओ ने कहा कि BASIC देशों का यह प्रस्ताव बताता है कि इन नीतियों का विकासशील देशों के औद्योगिक हितों पर क्या असर हो सकता है। उन्होंने कहा कि यूरोप और अमेरिका अपनी घरेलू बाजारों को सस्ती हरित तकनीक से भरने की नीति पर चल रहे हैं, जिसका उद्देश्य इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों और सोलर पैनल जैसे उत्पादों को बढ़ावा देना है। तीसरी दुनिया नेटवर्क की मीना रमन ने COP29 में वित्तीय सहायता के मुद्दे पर जोर देते हुए कहा कि विकसित देश जलवायु वित्त पर ध्यान केंद्रित करने के बजाय अन्य मुद्दों को बढ़ावा देने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं। उनका मानना था कि जलवायु वित्त सम्मेलन का केंद्रीय मुद्दा होना चाहिए, ताकि विकासशील देशों को जलवायु परिवर्तन से निपटने में मदद मिल सके। निष्कर्ष: CBAM का भविष्य और COP29 में आगे की चुनौतियाँ CBAM पर जारी इस विवाद ने COP29 को एक गंभीर मंच बना दिया है, जहां केवल जलवायु परिवर्तन पर ही नहीं, बल्कि वैश्विक व्यापार और आर्थिक स्थिरता पर भी ध्यान दिया जाना आवश्यक है। विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि CBAM जैसी नीतियों में वैश्विक समन्वय का अभाव विकासशील देशों की प्रगति में बाधा बन सकता है और जलवायु वित्त व्यवस्था में असमानता बढ़ा सकता है। COP29 में इस मुद्दे पर बने समझौते का असर केवल पर्यावरण पर नहीं, बल्कि वैश्विक व्यापारिक नीतियों पर भी पड़ेगा। यह देखना महत्वपूर्ण होगा कि क्या COP29 विकासशील और विकसित देशों के बीच सहयोग का एक नया अध्याय लिख सकता है, जिससे वैश्विक जलवायु लक्ष्यों को साधने में मदद मिल सके। Climateकहानी

UN climate talks to focus on money to help poor nations cut carbon pollution

A complex international two-week-long game of climate change poker is convening. The stakes? Just the fate of an ever-warming world. Curbing and coping with climate change’s worsening heat, floods, droughts and storms will cost trillions of dollars and poor nations just don’t have it, numerous reports and experts calculate. As United Nations climate negotiations started Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, the chief issue is who must ante up to help poor nations and especially how much. The numbers are enormous. The floor in negotiations is the $100 billion a year that poor nations — based on a categorization made in the 1990s — now get as part of a 2009 agreement that was barely met. Several experts and poorer nations say the need is $1 trillion a year or more. “It’s a game with high stakes,” said Climate Analytics CEO Bill Hare, a physicist. “Right now the fate of the planet depends very much on what we’re able to pull off in the next five or 10 years.” But this year’s talks, known as COP29, won’t be as high-profile as last year’s, with 48 fewer heads of state scheduled to speak. The leaders of the top two carbon polluting countries — China and the United States — will be absent. But if money negotiations fail in Baku, it will handicap 2025’s make-or-break climate negotiations, experts say. Not only is dealing with money always a touchy subject, but two of the rich countries that are expected to donate money to poor nations — the United States and Germany — are in the midst of dramatic government changes. Even though the United States delegation will be from Biden Administration, the reelection of Donald Trump, who downplays climate change and dislikes foreign aid, makes U.S. pledges unlikely to be fulfilled. The overarching issue is climate finance. Without it, experts say the world can’t get a handle on fighting warming, nor can most of the nations achieve their current carbon pollution-cutting goals or the new ones they will submit next year. “If we don’t solve the finance problem, then definitely we will not solve the climate problem,” said former Colombian deputy climate minister Pablo Vieira, who heads the support unit at NDC Partnership, which helps nations with emissions-cutting goals. Nations can’t cut carbon pollution if they can’t afford to eliminate coal, oil and gas, Vieira and several other experts said. Poor nations are frustrated that they are being told to do more to fight climate change when they cannot afford it, he said. And the 47 poorest nations only created 4% of the heat-trapping gases in the air, according to the U.N. About 77% of the heat-trapping gas in the atmosphere now comes from the G20 rich nations, many of whom are now cutting back on their pollution, something that is not happening in most poor nations or China. “The countries that are rich today have become rich by polluting the Earth,” said Ani Dasgupta, president of World Resources Institute. The money being discussed is for three things: Helping poor nations switch from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy; helping them adapt to the impacts of a warming world such as sea level rise and worsening storms; and compensating vulnerable poor nations for climate change damage. “Should the global community fail to reach a (finance) goal, this is really just signing the death warrant of many developing countries,” said Chukwumerije Okereke, director of the Center for Climate Change and Development in Nigeria. Michael Wilkins, a business professor who heads Imperial College’s Centre for Climate Finance and Investment in the U.K., said since 2022 total climate finance has been nearly $1.5 trillion. But only 3% of that is actually geared toward the least developed countries, he said. “The Global South has been repeatedly let down by unmet pledges and commitments,” said Sunita Narain, director general of New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. “Finance is really the key component that compels all types of climate action,” said Bahamian climate scientist Adelle Thomas, adaptation director at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Without that finance, there’s simply not much that developing countries in particular can do.”

Andhra Pradesh में 60 दिनों तक चरम मौसम का सामना करना पड़ा

विशाखापत्तनम: सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट Centre for Science and Environment (सीएसई) की रिपोर्ट ‘क्लाइमेट इंडिया 2024: एक्सट्रीम वेदर इवेंट्स का आकलन’ के अनुसार, आंध्र प्रदेश में 1 जनवरी से 30 सितंबर, 2024 तक 274 दिनों की अवधि में से 60 दिनों में मौसम की स्थिति बहुत खराब रही। प्रतिकूल परिस्थितियों के कारण राज्य में 60 लोगों की मौत हो गई, जबकि कृषि, आवासीय और पशुधन का भी काफी नुकसान हुआ। इस अवधि के दौरान, राज्य में फसलों और घरों को काफी नुकसान हुआ। 2,62,840 हेक्टेयर में फैली फसलों को नुकसान पहुंचा, जबकि 85,806 घरों को आंशिक या पूर्ण नुकसान पहुंचा, जिससे आंध्र प्रदेश देश में सबसे अधिक प्रभावित घरों वाला राज्य बन गया। इसके अलावा, इन चरम मौसम की घटनाओं के परिणामस्वरूप 501 जानवरों की मौत की सूचना मिली। पूरे भारत में, 274 दिनों में से 255 दिन चरम मौसम देखा गया, जिससे 3.2 मिलियन हेक्टेयर फसलें प्रभावित हुईं, 2,35,862 घरों को नुकसान पहुंचा और 3,238 लोगों की मौत हुई। इस दौरान राष्ट्रव्यापी पशु हानि 9,457 से अधिक रही। रिपोर्ट में आंध्र प्रदेश में विशिष्ट चरम घटनाओं पर भी प्रकाश डाला गया। 12 दिनों में बिजली और तूफान आए, जिससे 17 लोगों की जान चली गई। राज्य में 33 दिनों तक भारी बारिश, बाढ़ और भूस्खलन ने प्रभावित किया, जिसके परिणामस्वरूप 43 मौतें हुईं। इसके अतिरिक्त, राज्य में मार्च से जून के महीनों में तीन गर्म रातें देखी गईं - जिन्हें ऐसी रातें कहा जाता है जब न्यूनतम तापमान सामान्य से 4 - 6.4 डिग्री सेल्सियस अधिक रहा। रिपोर्ट में 'बहुत भारी' और 'बेहद भारी' बारिश के बीच अंतर किया गया है, जिसमें कहा गया है कि ऐसी घटनाओं को केवल तभी चरम के रूप में वर्गीकृत किया जाता है जब वे नुकसान पहुंचाती हैं। राज्य में 19 दिनों में दर्ज की गई हीटवेव भी चिंता का विषय रही। रिपोर्ट में हीटवेव को अधिकतम तापमान में सामान्य से 4.5 - 6.4 डिग्री सेल्सियस की वृद्धि के रूप में परिभाषित किया गया है, जबकि गंभीर हीटवेव 6.4 डिग्री सेल्सियस से अधिक की वृद्धि को दर्शाता है। उन्होंने चेतावनी दी कि जलवायु परिवर्तन Climate change के खिलाफ सार्थक उपायों के बिना, चरम मौसम के प्रभाव तेज होने की संभावना है। अपने विश्लेषण में, रिपोर्ट ने पाया कि भारत ने 2024 के पहले नौ महीनों में 90% से अधिक समय तक चरम मौसम की घटनाओं का अनुभव किया। लेखकों ने इस बात पर प्रकाश डाला कि चरम मौसम की घटनाओं की आवृत्ति, जो पहले हर सदी में एक बार होने की उम्मीद थी, अब हर पाँच साल या उससे कम समय में हो रही है। रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है, "यह आवृत्ति सबसे कमजोर आबादी को प्रभावित करती है, जिनके पास नुकसान और क्षति के इस अथक चक्र के अनुकूल होने के लिए संसाधनों की कमी है," रिपोर्ट में जलवायु लचीलापन उपायों को बढ़ाने की तत्काल आवश्यकता पर बल दिया गया है। रिपोर्ट खतरे की घंटी बजाती है सीएसई रिपोर्ट ने इन प्रवृत्तियों के निहितार्थों पर एक सख्त चेतावनी जारी की। लेखकों ने कहा, "यह रिपोर्ट अच्छी खबर नहीं है, लेकिन यह एक आवश्यक चेतावनी है, प्रकृति के प्रतिशोध को पहचानने और इसे कम करने के लिए आवश्यक तत्काल कार्रवाई करने का आह्वान है।" उन्होंने चेतावनी दी कि जलवायु परिवर्तन के खिलाफ सार्थक उपायों के बिना, चरम मौसम के प्रभाव और भी तीव्र हो सकते हैं। उन्होंने इस बात पर प्रकाश डाला कि चरम मौसम की घटनाओं की आवृत्ति और गंभीरता अब हर पाँच साल या उससे भी कम समय में हो रही है

Andhra Pradesh experiences 60 days of extreme weather

VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh experienced extreme weather conditions on 60 days out of the 274-day period from January 1 to September 30, 2024, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) titled ‘Climate India 2024: An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events’. The adverse conditions led to 60 human casualties in the State, while agricultural, residential, and livestock losses were also substantial. During this period, the State recorded significant damage to crops and homes. Crops covering 2,62,840 hectares were reported as damaged, while 85,806 houses sustained partial or total damage, marking Andhra Pradesh as the State with the highest number of affected homes in the country. Additionally, 501 animals were reported dead as a result of these extreme weather events. Throughout India, extreme weather was observed on 255 out of 274 days, affecting 3.2 million hectares of crops, causing damage to 2,35,862 houses, and resulting in 3,238 human deaths. Nationwide animal losses stood at over 9,457 during this time. In Andhra Pradesh, specific extreme events were also highlighted in the report. Lightning and storms occurred on 12 days, leading to the loss of 17 lives. Heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides affected the State for 33 days, resulting in 43 fatalities. Additionally, the State experienced three warm nights - defined as nights when minimum temperatures remained 4 - 6.4ºC above normal-in the months of March through June. The report distinguished between ‘very heavy’ and ‘extremely heavy’ rainfall, noting that such events were classified as extreme only when they caused damage. Heatwaves, recorded on 19 days in the State, were also a concern. The report defined a heatwave as an increase in maximum temperature by 4.5 - 6.4ºC above normal, while a severe heatwave represented a rise of more than 6.4ºC. They cautioned that, without meaningful measures against climate change, the impacts of extreme weather will likely intensify. In its analysis, the report observed that India experienced extreme weather events for over 90% of the first nine months of 2024. The authors highlighted that the frequency of extreme weather events, previously expected once every century, are now occurring every five years or less. “This frequency overwhelms the most vulnerable populations, who lack the resources to adapt to this relentless cycle of loss and damage,” the report added, stressing the urgent need for enhanced climate resilience measures. Report rings danger bells The CSE report issued a strong warning on the implications of these trends. “This report is not good news, but it is a necessary warning, a call to recognise nature’s backlash and the urgent action required to mitigate it,” the authors noted. They cautioned that, without meaningful measures against climate change, the impacts of extreme weather will likely intensify. They highlighted that the frequency and severity of extreme weather events are now occurring every five years or less

UN climate talks to focus on money to help poor nations cut carbon pollution

BAKU, Azerbaijan — A complex international two-week-long game of climate change poker is convening. The stakes? Just the fate of an ever-warming world. Curbing and coping with climate change's worsening heat, floods, droughts and storms will cost trillions of dollars and poor nations just don't have it, numerous reports and experts calculate. As United Nations climate negotiations started Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, the chief issue is who must ante up to help poor nations and especially how much. The numbers are enormous. The floor in negotiations is the $100 billion a year that poor nations — based on a categorization made in the 1990s — now get as part of a 2009 agreement that was barely met. Several experts and poorer nations say the need is $1 trillion a year or more. ''It's a game with high stakes,'' said Climate Analytics CEO Bill Hare, a physicist. ''Right now the fate of the planet depends very much on what we're able to pull off in the next five or 10 years.'' But this year's talks, known as COP29, won't be as high-profile as last year's, with 48 fewer heads of state scheduled to speak. The leaders of the top two carbon polluting countries — China and the United States — will be absent. But if money negotiations fail in Baku, it will handicap 2025's make-or-break climate negotiations, experts say. Not only is dealing with money always a touchy subject, but two of the rich countries that are expected to donate money to poor nations — the United States and Germany — are in the midst of dramatic government changes. Even though the United States delegation will be from Biden Administration, the reelection of Donald Trump, who downplays climate change and dislikes foreign aid, makes U.S. pledges unlikely to be fulfilled. The overarching issue is climate finance. Without it, experts say the world can't get a handle on fighting warming, nor can most of the nations achieve their current carbon pollution-cutting goals or the new ones they will submit next year. ''If we don't solve the finance problem, then definitely we will not solve the climate problem,'' said former Colombian deputy climate minister Pablo Vieira, who heads the support unit at NDC Partnership, which helps nations with emissions-cutting goals. Nations can't cut carbon pollution if they can't afford to eliminate coal, oil and gas, Vieira and several other experts said. Poor nations are frustrated that they are being told to do more to fight climate change when they cannot afford it, he said. And the 47 poorest nations only created 4% of the heat-trapping gases in the air, according to the U.N. About 77% of the heat-trapping gas in the atmosphere now comes from the G20 rich nations, many of whom are now cutting back on their pollution, something that is not happening in most poor nations or China. ''The countries that are rich today have become rich by polluting the Earth,'' said Ani Dasgupta, president of World Resources Institute. The money being discussed is for three things: Helping poor nations switch from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy; helping them adapt to the impacts of a warming world such as sea level rise and worsening storms; and compensating vulnerable poor nations for climate change damage. ''Should the global community fail to reach a (finance) goal, this is really just signing the death warrant of many developing countries," said Chukwumerije Okereke, director of the Center for Climate Change and Development in Nigeria. Michael Wilkins, a business professor who heads Imperial College's Centre for Climate Finance and Investment in the U.K., said since 2022 total climate finance has been nearly $1.5 trillion. But only 3% of that is actually geared toward the least developed countries, he said.

Harsh weather sends up deaths by 144% in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Over 1,81,419 acres of crop area were affected, 66 people died, and 4,350 animal (big and small) deaths were reported, all due to extreme weather events which spanned over 50 days from January 1 to September 30, revealed ‘India Climate Report 2024’, launched by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and its publication, Down to Earth. CSE report said there had been a staggering 144% increase in human deaths caused by extreme weather conditions this year compared to 2022. While 27 deaths took place due to extreme weather conditions in 2022, in 2024 the number increased to 66. The extent of crop-affected areas also doubled in 2024. The extent of crop-affected areas in 2022 was 42,000 acres, against 1.81 lakh acres in 2024. Astonishingly, the current year witnessed more deaths than in 2022, although the number of days of heavy rains, and floods were significantly fewer. The number of heavy rain and flood days was 21 in 2024 and 31 in 2022. The number of days of occurrence of heatwave also increased to 12, and 13 in 2024. These figures indicate a change in the patterns of change of extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves, coldwave, and cloudbursts. The said report mentioned that the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change defines extreme weather events as occurrences that are “rare at a particular place and time of year”. The CSE has sourced data on extreme events from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and the Disaster Management Division (DMD).