1. Carbon Market in India
Introduction:
- Context: In the Union Budget, the Finance Minister emphasized transitioning polluting industries towards emission targets through the ‘Indian Carbon Market’ (ICM). This move aligns with India’s commitment to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
- Objective: The carbon market is proposed as a mechanism to regulate and incentivize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly for energy-intensive industries.
- PAT Scheme vs. Carbon Market:
PAT (Perform, Achieve, and Trade):
| Carbon Market:
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§ A regulatory tool designed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to reduce specific energy consumption in industries. § Focuses on energy efficiency rather than absolute reductions in emissions. § Industries receive tradable certificates for meeting energy efficiency targets.
| § A broader market-based approach, focusing on providing economic incentives for achieving emission reductions. § Polluters are given emission caps and can trade emission allowances to meet their targets. § The carbon market deals with absolute reductions in greenhouse gases.
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- India’s Role in Global Climate Mitigation:
- Historical Context: India has participated in international mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol.
- Current Initiatives: India’s NDCs aim to reduce GDP’s emission intensity by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels) and to achieve 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources.
- Challenges: India does not have binding emission reduction targets but needs to balance industrial growth with environmental sustainability.
- Future of Carbon Market in India:
- Proposed Strategy:
- The 2021 draft blueprint by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency suggests a phased approach: starting with a voluntary market and moving towards a compliance market with mandatory participation by 2026.
- Focuses on heavy industries like iron, steel, petrochemicals, and cement.
- Socioeconomic Considerations: The carbon market must align with India’s broader socioeconomic priorities, including poverty alleviation and energy accessibility.
- Proposed Strategy:
Conclusion:
- Necessity: Establishing a carbon market in India is crucial for meeting international climate commitments and promoting sustainable industrial growth.
- Way Forward: The policy must be carefully designed to integrate equity concerns, technological innovation, and economic incentives to achieve India’s climate goals without compromising development objectives.
Mains Practice Question:
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Q. “India’s transition towards a carbon market is essential for achieving its climate goals but poses significant challenges. Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of establishing a carbon market in India, considering its unique socio-economic context.”
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2. Addressing Violence Against Vulnerable Groups
Introduction:
Issue: Female caregivers, such as teachers, nurses, social workers, and doctors, are increasingly becoming targets of violence due to entrenched societal stereotypes and lack of respect for their professional boundaries.
- Reasons for Increased Violence:
- Gender Stereotypes: Female caregivers are often viewed through the lens of traditional gender roles, expected to be nurturing and self-sacrificing, which leads to a lack of respect and higher vulnerability to violence.
- Societal Misogyny: Deep-rooted misogyny and sexism contribute to violence, where women in authority are targeted simply because of their gender.
- Inadequate Support Systems: Many caregivers lack adequate support systems, making them more vulnerable to aggression from students, patients, and colleagues.
- Impact on Society:
- Normalization of Violence: The article highlights cases of violence against women in India, emphasizing how violence against caregivers has become more frequent and brutal, reflecting a broader societal issue.
- Role of Upbringing and Socialization: The societal tendency to attribute criminal behavior to dysfunctional backgrounds is challenged, noting that many perpetrators come from affluent or “normal” backgrounds, indicating a deeper societal issue.
- Proposed Solutions:
- Community and School Involvement: Emphasizes the need for communities, schools, and families to actively engage in challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting respect and empathy.
- Gender Sensitization: Advocates for gender sensitization in schools, communities, and workplaces to reshape the socialization of boys and redefine manhood.
- Leadership and Advocacy: Calls for political leadership and public figures to speak out against violence and support initiatives for gender equity and violence prevention.
Conclusion:
- Way Forward: The article concludes with a call for collective responsibility in addressing violence against vulnerable groups, especially women. It stresses the need for empathy, compassion, and active societal change to create environments where violence is neither normalized nor tolerated.
Mains Practice Question:
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Q. “Discuss the societal factors contributing to violence against female caregivers in India and suggest measures to address these issues effectively.”
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