What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is COP?
• Agreement on Global Carbon Markets at COP29
• Challenges Ahead at the COP29
• India’s Role in Shaping COP29’s Legacy
• Conclusion

Why in News?

• At the COP29 climate conference in Baku, countries reached a landmark decision to advance a long-delayed agreement to establish a global carbon market under the Paris Agreement.
• While the agreement on carbon markets is seen as a breakthrough, the critical issue of climate finance remains unresolved, with developing nations emphasising the need for an updated, substantial funding goal.

What is COP?

• Defining COP:
  • The Conference of Parties (COP) serves as the main governing body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • The UNFCCC is a 1992 treaty uniting 198 members (197 nations plus the European Union) against the threats of climate change.
  • Each year, the COP gathers to review national emission data, monitor progress, and shape global climate policy.
• Key milestones of COP:
  • Kyoto Protocol (1997): Established at COP3, it mandated emissions reductions for industrialised countries, setting a collective target of a 4.2% reduction by 2012 from 1990 levels.
  • Copenhagen Accord (2009): COP15 introduced the 2°C warming limit and the concept of developed countries funding climate actions in vulnerable nations, though it fell short of delivering a new binding treaty.
  • Paris Agreement (2015): At COP21, the landmark Paris Agreement set a goal to limit global warming to below 2°C, ideally at 1.5°C, and introduced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for each country.
  • Glasgow Pact (2021): COP26 led to the "Glasgow Pact," which included commitments to reduce coal usage and phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, marking coal in a UN climate agreement for the first time.
  • Loss and Damage Fund (2023): COP28 launched a fund to support countries affected by climate disasters, addressing long-standing calls for financial assistance to those bearing the brunt of climate change.
• Criticisms of COP:
  • Failure to deliver climate finance:
    • Developed countries, despite their 2009 pledge to provide $100 billion annually to developing nations, have yet to meet this promise.
    • A 2021 UN report projected that developing nations would require $6 trillion per year through 2030 to fulfil their climate goals, highlighting a vast shortfall in funding.
  • Insufficient emission reductions:
    • While COP summits have led to emission pledges, these efforts remain inadequate.
    • The International Energy Agency's COP28 report indicated that, even with existing pledges, the world risks surpassing the critical 1.5°C warming threshold.

Agreement on Global Carbon Markets at COP29:

• Carbon market overview:
  • The global carbon market, outlined under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, allows countries to trade carbon credits - certified reductions in carbon emissions.
  • This market aims to provide financial incentives for emission reductions, with prices set by emission caps established by participating nations.
• Article 6 of the Paris Agreement:
  • It facilitates international collaboration to lower carbon emissions.
  • It offers two pathways for countries and companies to trade carbon offsets, supporting the achievement of emission reduction targets set in their climate action plans, or nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
  • The first option, known as Article 6.2, allows two countries to establish a bilateral carbon trading agreement under their own terms.
  • The second, Article 6.4, seeks to develop a centralised, UN-managed system to enable both countries and companies to offset and trade carbon emissions.
• Progress at COP29:
  • In a landmark decision at the first day of the global climate talks here, COP29 have officially adopted the new operational standards for a mechanism of the Paris Agreement under Article 6, setting the stage for a global carbon market.
  • This adoption of Article 6.4, achieved during the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA), sets the stage for operationalising Article 6, which has faced years of deadlock.
• Significance of this milestone:
  • Carbon markets remain the last segment of the 2015 Paris Agreement awaiting full implementation.
  • Though many more procedural steps are needed to bring this system into action, the agreement will help countries achieve climate targets more efficiently and affordably once fully operational.

Challenges Ahead at the COP29:

• Lack of consensus on climate finance:
  • A primary agenda for COP29 is finalising the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), a commitment by developed countries to provide funds for climate action in developing nations, replacing the unmet $100 billion target from 2020.
  • However, no progress has been made on this front, with the G77-plus China group, representing over 130 developing countries, rejecting the initial draft of the finance agreement and demanding revisions.
  • There are disagreements over the funding size, contributors, types, and coverage period.
• Demands of developing nations:
  • Developing nations demand a minimum of $1 trillion annually from 2026, with G77 calling for $1.3 trillion.
  • They insist that this finance should be new, predictable, and non-debt-inducing, specifically dedicated to climate action rather than investments in clean technology counted towards existing commitments.
  • Developing countries also urged that any shortfall from the $100 billion annual goal in past years be covered as arrears in addition to the NCQG.

India’s Role in Shaping COP29’s Legacy:

• Call for an adequate and predictable finance mechanism:
  • India highlighted NCQG as a top priority, advocating for significant financial commitments to the Global South.
  • Indian negotiators emphasise that finance should be grant-based, low-interest, and long-term, with a balanced focus on adaptation, mitigation, and addressing loss and damage.
• Emphasis on adaptation for vulnerable communities: Given that climate finance often favours mitigation projects, India and its G77 allies call for stronger support in adaptation initiatives, particularly for communities at high risk from climate change impacts.

Conclusion:

• COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlights the potential for a finalised Article 6 framework to reduce the global cost of climate action by an estimated $250 billion per year through cross-border cooperation.
• India’s NDC commits to reducing emissions intensity by 45% from 2005 levels and establishing an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes by 2030. Effective carbon markets could support India in reaching these goals.

Q.1. What is the G77 grouping?

The Group of 77 (G77) is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations. It was established on June 15, 1964 by 77 developing countries that signed the "Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Developing Countries".

Q.2. How the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) address climate change?

NDCs form the basis for countries to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement. They contain information on targets, and policies and measures for reducing national emissions and on adapting to climate change impacts.

News: Global carbon market gets green signal at COP29 under Paris Agreement's Article 6 | IE | ToI

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS)?
• What is KAVACH?
• Kanchanjunga express accident
• Key Highlights of the Report
• Ministry of Railways’ Response and Actions

Why in News?

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) attributed the Kanchanjunga Express-goods train collision in West Bengal, in June 2024, to "lapses at multiple levels," including those by station staff and officials at divisional and zonal railway levels. 

Labeling it an "accident-in-waiting," the CRS noted the failure to manage train operations during automatic signal failures as a key factor that led to the incident. 

To prevent similar accidents, the CRS recommended the urgent implementation of the KAVACH automatic train-protection system.

Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS)

• About
  • The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is a statutory body. It is headed by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety.
  • It deals with matters related to safety of rail travel and operations, as laid down in the Railways Act, 1989.
  • Investigating serious train accidents is one of the key responsibilities of the CRS. 
  • The commission also makes recommendations to the government.
• Headquarters 
  • Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
• Nodal Ministry
  • It is, however, worth noting that the CRS does not report to the Ministry of Railways of the Railway Board. 
  • It is, in fact, under the administrative control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
  • This is to keep the CRS insulated from the influence of the country’s railway establishment and prevent conflicts of interest.

Kavach - Train Collision Avoidance System

• About
  • It is India’s very own automatic protection system in development since 2012, under the name Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS).
    • Later, it got rechristened to Kavach or “armour”.
  • Basically, Kavach is a state-of-the-art electronic system which was designed to help the Indian Railways achieve Zero Accidents.
• Development
  • It has been indigenously developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with the Indian industry.
  • Trails were facilitated by South Central Railway to achieve the corporate objective of safety in train operations.
• Functioning
  • A set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification devices installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well the track.
  • This enables the locomotives, signalling system and tracks to talk to each other using ultra high radio frequencies to control the brakes of trains and also alert drivers.

Kanchanjunga express accident

• On June 17, a tragic train collision occurred in West Bengal's Darjeeling district, 11 km from New Jalpaiguri station, where a Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala was struck from behind by a goods train. 
• The accident resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including the goods train's loco pilot and Kanchanjunga Express's train manager, and left 43 others injured. 
• The incident took place within the Katihar Division of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).

Key Highlights of the Report

• Causes of the Accident
  • Report identified critical lapses in operational protocol as primary factors behind the Kanchanjunga Express-goods train collision. Major causes included:
    • Issuance of a flawed authority letter for passing defective automatic signals, which lacked speed guidance.
    • Absence of a caution order and insufficient counselling for loco pilots and station masters.
    • Shortage of essential safety equipment, including walkie-talkies, which limited communication and contributed to misunderstandings.
    • CRS categorized the incident as an “Error in train working” and held the station master, station superintendent, chief loco inspector, and traffic inspector accountable.
• Communication Failures and Safety Violations
  • The flawed authority letter created a misleading impression for the loco pilot to maintain sectional speed despite defective signals. Additionally:
    • The letter was not signed by the train manager, leaving them unaware of the signal issue.
    • Absence of walkie-talkies hindered effective communication between the loco pilot, train manager, and station master.
    • CRS ruled out intoxication, negligence, or excessive speed by the loco pilot as contributing factors.
• Systemic Signal Failures and Safety Concerns
  • Repeated automatic signal failures within Katihar Division raised alarms over operational safety:
    • Since January 2023, the division recorded 275 signal failures, indicating severe reliability issues in the automatic signaling system.
    • Over five years, 208 dangerous signal-passing incidents occurred, with 12 resulting in collisions. 
    • CRS noted the limitations of current preventive measures and called for improvement with the RDSO (Research Design and Standards Organisation) and OEMs.
• Recommendations for Safety Enhancements
  • The CRS emphasized the immediate need to implement the KAVACH automatic train-protection system. Additional recommendations included:
  • Prioritizing crashworthiness features in passenger coaches, starting with the last two coaches on every train and retrofitting existing coaches during major servicing.
  • Accelerating the installation of Crew Voice and Video Recording Systems (CVVRS) in locomotives to enhance communication monitoring among train personnel.
• Conclusion
  • The CRS concluded that better adherence to safety protocols, clear communication guidelines, and prompt equipment availability could have prevented this "accident-in-waiting."

Ministry of Railways’ Response and Actions 

• Disciplinary Actions Initiated
  • In response to the CRS report, the Ministry of Railways has begun disciplinary proceedings against employees deemed responsible for the accident.
• Amendments to Rules and Procedures
  • The Ministry has amended the General and Subsidiary Rules (G&SR) to prevent future lapses.
  • Revisions to formats of books and forms related to automatic block section working have been implemented to remove ambiguities and ensure clear instructions for signal failure situations.
• Safety Equipment Procurement and Replacement
  • To address equipment shortages, the Ministry ensured:
    • Sufficient procurement and replacement of all defective walkie-talkie sets.
    • Confirmed no current shortages in safety equipment across Northeast Frontier (N.F.) Railway.
• Enhanced Staff Training and Counselling
  • Comprehensive training and counselling sessions have been conducted for frontline railway personnel, including:
  • Station masters, loco pilots, loco inspectors, and train managers, to reinforce operational safety and adherence to updated protocols.

Q.1. What were the main causes behind the Kanchanjunga Express collision?

The CRS identified flawed authority letters, lack of caution orders, inadequate communication equipment, and insufficient staff training as primary causes. These lapses contributed to the collision, categorized as an “Error in train working.”

Q.2. How is the Ministry of Railways addressing issues from the collision?

The Ministry has initiated disciplinary actions, amended safety protocols, ensured replacement of faulty equipment, and mandated training for railway staff to prevent similar incidents in the future.

News: Kanchanjunga Express collision was ‘accident-in-waiting’, could have been avoided: Probe report | Times of India | Times of India

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Water Act 1974 and the need for amendment
• Key highlights of the Water Act 2024
• Key highlights of New Rules under the Water Act 2024

Why in News?

The Central Government has notified new rules to streamline the process of inquiry and imposition of penalties for water pollution offenses under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. These rules are called the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024.

The Rules come in the backdrop of the amendments made to the Water Act earlier this year. This notification strengthens regulatory oversight while streamlining the adjudication process for water pollution violations.

Water Act 1974 and the need for amendment

• Background – Water Act 1974 
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution.
  • The Act prescribes various penal provisions for non-compliance or contravention of the provisions punishable with imprisonment.
• Need for the amendment
  • The Amendment was brought to uphold the principle that democratic governance lies in the government trusting its own people and institutions. 
  • The Water Act 1974 had provision of imprisonment of up to three months for not informing the State Board about abstraction of water from a stream or well.
  • The imprisonment provisions for minor violations which are simple infringements, not leading to any injury to humans or damage to the environment, many a times cause harassment to business and citizen. 
  • It is also not in consonance with the spirit of Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.
  • Therefore, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 proposes rationalising criminal provisions.

Key highlights of the Water Act 2024

• Introduction and Applicability
  • It applies initially to Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and union territories, with provisions for other states to adopt it through state resolutions.
• Decriminalization and New Penalties
  • It decriminalizes various violations, removing imprisonment for several offences and replacing it with monetary penalties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15 lakh. 
  • However, failure to pay penalties can still result in imprisonment of up to three years or fines up to twice the original penalty amount.
• Consent Exemptions for Industry Establishment
  • While the 1974 Act requires SPCB consent for industries likely to discharge sewage, the 2024 Act allows the central government, in consultation with CPCB, to exempt specific categories of industries from this requirement. 
  • Guidelines for SPCB consent processes may also be issued by the central government. 
  • Penalties for tampering with monitoring devices are set between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15 lakh.
• State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) Chairman Appointments
  • The Act requires the central government to prescribe the nomination process and terms for SPCB chairmen, adding central oversight in appointments which were previously state-determined.
• Regulations on Polluting Matter Discharge
  • The SPCBs can issue directives to immediately stop activities discharging pollutants. 
  • The Act removes imprisonment for violations and instead imposes monetary penalties between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15 lakh.
• Penalty for General Offences
  • Offences without explicit penalties in the 1974 Act are no longer punishable by imprisonment; the 2024 Act instead prescribes fines between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15 lakh.
• Appointment of Adjudicating Officers for Penalty Assessment
  • The Act authorizes the central government to appoint adjudicating officers (ranked at least as Joint Secretary) to determine penalties. 
  • Appeals against their orders can be made to the National Green Tribunal, provided 10% of the penalty amount is deposited. 
  • Penalties collected go to the Environment Protection Fund.
• Expanded Cognizance of Offences
  • Under the Act, courts can take cognizance of an offence if a complaint is filed by an adjudicating officer, in addition to complaints from CPCB, SPCB, or notified persons.
  • Accountability for Government Departments
  • For violations by government departments, department heads will be penalized with an amount equal to one month’s basic salary unless they can prove due diligence was exercised to prevent the violation.

Key highlights of New Rules under the Water Act 2024

• Introduction of New Penalty Rules
  • The Union Environment Ministry has notified the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024, which immediately take effect. 
  • These new rules establish procedures for inquiries and penalties in cases of violations under the Water Act.
• Shift from Criminal Penalties to Civil Penalties
  • Following recent amendments to the Water Act, violations have been decriminalized, with penalties replacing criminal charges. 
  • The Ministry previously exempted non-polluting 'white' category industries (non-polluting industries) from needing prior permissions to operate under the Water Act.
• Empowerment of Pollution Control Authorities
  • Authorized officers from the CPCB, SPCB, Pollution Control Committees, and Integrated Regional Offices can now file complaints to adjudicating officers about violations.
  • They can do so under specific sections of the Act (Sections 41, 41A, 42, 43, 44, 45A, and 48), primarily addressing industrial effluent and pollutant discharge norms.
• Role and Responsibilities of the Adjudication Officer
  • An adjudicating officer, ranked at least as a state government joint secretary, is responsible for overseeing complaints, issuing notices to alleged violators, and conducting inquiries. 
  • Alleged violators may respond through a legal representative. The adjudication process must be completed within six months of the notice issuance.

Q.1. What are the new rules introduced under the Water Act 2024?

The new rules decriminalize certain violations, impose monetary penalties, and outline a streamlined inquiry process managed by adjudicating officers. These changes aim to enhance regulatory efficiency.

Q.2. How does the Water Act 2024 impact pollution control authorities?

CPCB, SPCBs, and other authorized bodies can file complaints under specific sections, with adjudicating officers now empowered to assess penalties. This reform aims to improve response efficiency to water pollution violations.

News: Rules under new Water Act notified: How inquiry and penalties process will work | PRS India

What’s in today’s article?

• Introduction
• India's Contribution to Global Emissions
• Key Findings from the Report
• Challenges in Meeting Climate Goals
• Call to Action
•  Conclusion

Introduction

• Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel use are projected to rise by 0.8% in 2024, reaching a record high of 37.4 billion tonnes, according to the Global Carbon Project’s latest report presented at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• The report warns that at the current rate, there is a 50% chance global warming will exceed the critical 1.5°C threshold consistently within six years, emphasizing the urgency for decisive global action.

India's Contribution to Global Emissions

• Rising Emissions: India’s CO2 emissions are expected to grow by 4.6% in 2024, the highest among major economies. This includes increases from coal (4.5%), oil (3.6%), natural gas (11.8%), and cement production (4%).
• Global Standing: India contributes 8% of global fossil CO2 emissions, ranking third after China (31%) and the U.S. (13%). The European Union (EU-27) contributes 7%.
• Per Capita Emissions: India’s per capita CO2 emissions remain significantly lower at 0.6 tonnes compared to the global average of 1.3 tonnes, the U.S. at 3.9 tonnes, China at 2.3 tonnes, and the EU-27 at 1.5 tonnes.

Key Findings from the Report

• Global Trends in Emissions:
  • Emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas are expected to rise slightly by 0.2%, 0.9%, and 2.4%, respectively, in 2024.
  • CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere are projected to reach 422.5 ppm in 2024, 52% higher than pre-industrial levels.
• Carbon Budget and the 1.5°C Threshold:
  • The remaining global carbon budget, which determines how much carbon can be emitted before breaching the 1.5°C limit, is running out. A consistent breach of the 1.5°C target is expected within six years if current trends persist.
  • The mean global temperature already surpassed 1.5°C in January 2024 when averaged over the previous 12 months.
• Land and Ocean Carbon Sinks:
  • Land and oceans combined absorbed about half of human-generated CO2 emissions in the past decade.
  • Oceans absorbed 10.5 billion tonnes annually, or 26% of total emissions, despite a 5.9% reduction in absorption efficiency over the last decade due to altered wind patterns and warming waters.
  • El Niño temporarily reduced land CO2 absorption in 2023 but is expected to recover by mid-2024.

Challenges in Meeting Climate Goals

• The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to below 2°C, striving for 1.5°C.
• However, the report highlights that global efforts are insufficient, and voluntary Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are unlikely to meet the 1.5°C pathway.
• Structural barriers, such as increasing infrastructure demands in rapidly developing economies like India, outpace the growth of renewable energy sources, exacerbating fossil fuel dependence.

Call to Action

• Professor Pierre Friedlingstein from the University of Exeter’s Global Systems Institute, who led the study, emphasized the urgency for “rapid and deep cuts to fossil fuel emissions” to meet the Paris Agreement goals.
• World leaders at COP29 are urged to implement transformative policies to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Conclusion

• The Global Carbon Budget’s findings highlight the critical need for immediate and sustained global action to curb carbon emissions.
• While India’s economic growth and energy needs drive its increasing emissions, the focus must shift toward balancing development with sustainable practices.
• Without decisive action, the window to prevent the worst impacts of climate change is rapidly closing.

Q1. What is the Greenhouse Effect?

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface by trapping heat from the sun in the atmosphere

Q2. What is Net Zero?

Net zero is a state where the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted by human activities is balanced by the amount removed from the atmosphere. This is achieved by reducing emissions and removing carbon from the atmosphere.

News: Study: India’s fossil-based CO2 emissions to spike 4.6% in 2024 | Hindu