1. Rethinking Global Climate Governance
Introduction:
- The climate conference in Baku, 2024, redefined global climate policy by proposing an alternate sustainability forum.
- The move challenges the traditional post-colonial divide of “donors” and “recipients,” urging developing countries to take charge of their climate destiny.
- Shift in Climate Policy:
- The 1992 Climate Treaty aimed for collective action on emissions but was dominated by the G7’s interests.
- Developing countries were burdened without adequate technological and financial support, highlighting systemic imbalances.
- Core Challenges of Existing Policies:
- Disconnect between academic climate research and policymaking.
- G7’s disproportionate influence in shaping agendas and rules.
- Focus on symptoms like emission reduction rather than systemic issues like consumption patterns and equity.
- Role of the Global South:
- Nations in the Global South, representing 80% of the population and 50% of GDP, are demanding climate justice.
- Adoption of concepts like “just transition” in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) reflects growing awareness of social equity in climate action.
- Need for Foundational Reforms:
- Recognition of disparities in urban-rural resource use.
- The need for equitable frameworks to address resource consumption and carbon emissions at global and local levels.
- G7’s disproportionate historical emissions and their impact on global equity.
- Pathways to Justice and Equity:
- Formation of alternate sustainability forums through South-South cooperation (e.g., BRICS initiatives).
- Emphasis on urban energy transition and monitoring G7 climate policies.
- Limiting UN climate negotiations to revisiting G7 commitments and financing for vulnerable nations.
- Role of Emerging Powers:
- BRICS can lead in institutionalizing equity-focused multilateral mechanisms.
- The group’s strategic efforts may strengthen demands for structural reforms, including a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
Conclusion:
- The global climate policy framework must shift from donor-recipient dynamics to equity and shared prosperity.
- Alternate platforms like BRICS-led sustainability initiatives offer hope for more inclusive governance.
- Future climate action must prioritize systemic reforms, fair resource use, and empowering the Global South.
Mains Practice Question:
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Q. Critically analyze the role of the G7 in global climate policy. Suggest measures for more equitable climate governance with a focus on the Global South.
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2. Digital Governance in India: Opportunities and Challenges
Introduction:
- India is transitioning to digital governance, aiming to improve citizen services and enhance workforce efficiency.
- The shift underscores the need for skilled government employees and robust digital tools to reimagine governance effectively.
- Importance of Digital Governance:
- Governance involves decision-making processes across multiple stakeholders.
- Historical principles like Chanakya’s insights and Arthashastra’s teachings highlight the enduring relevance of ethical leadership and strategic diplomacy.
- Capacity Building for Digital Governance:
- Digital governance streamlines communication, decision-making, and workflows, making governance more transparent and efficient.
- The evolution of governance requires upskilling employees to navigate advanced digital platforms.
- Key Initiatives in Digital Governance:
- iGOT Karmayogi Platform: Launched in 2020 to provide training in data analytics, public administration, and digital skills for government officials.
- e-Office Initiative: Digitizes government workflows, reduces paperwork, and enhances operational efficiency.
- Government e-Marketplace (GeM): Transitioning procurement processes online for better transparency.
- Challenges in Digital Governance:
- Digital Divide: Limited access to high-speed Internet in rural areas hampers inclusivity.
- Cybersecurity Risks: Growing threats to sensitive information demand robust security protocols and employee training.
- Resistance to Change: Bureaucratic inertia and lack of motivation among employees can delay adoption.
- Need for Continuous Learning: Regular upskilling and capacity-building programs are essential to keep pace with technological advancements.
- Way Forward:
- Foster an enabling environment for digital governance through incentives and support systems.
- Address regional disparities by improving digital infrastructure in rural areas.
- Strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and train employees to handle data securely.
- Ensure that training programs like iGOT Karmayogi lead to tangible job benefits and performance improvements.
Conclusion:
- India’s digital governance journey holds the potential to set a global benchmark.
- Achieving accountable, transparent, and inclusive governance requires commitment to training, infrastructure, and employee motivation.
- Empowering every citizen and employee, irrespective of their background, is key to unlocking the full potential of digital governance.
Mains Practice Question: |
Q. Discuss the significance of digital governance in enhancing public service delivery in India. Highlight the challenges and suggest measures to overcome them. |
3. Revisiting the Collegium System: Challenges and Way Forward
Introduction:
- The Supreme Court’s Collegium system, responsible for judicial appointments, is under scrutiny.
- Recent updates indicate efforts to improve transparency and reduce biases, but concerns about its functioning persist.
- Key Developments in the Collegium System:
- Collegium to avoid recommending candidates with familial ties to serving judges.
- New measures aim to ensure objectivity in judicial appointments for High Courts and the Supreme Court.
- Historical Context and Framework:
- The framers of the Constitution envisioned a balance between the judiciary’s independence and the executive’s role in appointments.
- B.R. Ambedkar’s “middle course” approach provided the President with the authority to appoint judges after consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and other senior judges.
- Persisting Concerns:
- Opacity in Decision-Making: Collegium resolutions lack transparency, fueling perceptions of arbitrariness.
- Lack of Accountability: The absence of a clear memorandum of procedure undermines institutional integrity.
- Government’s Role: Delays in implementing Collegium recommendations indicate executive interference, impacting judicial independence.
- Challenges in Reforming the System:
- Any meaningful reform must avoid arbitrary decision-making while maintaining judicial autonomy.
- The system’s reliance on internal processes, without legislative or executive oversight, limits public trust.
- Need for a Transparent Framework:
- A robust memorandum of procedure to guide appointments and resolve disputes between the judiciary and the executive.
- Mechanisms for meaningful consultation between stakeholders, ensuring merit-based selections.
- Balancing Judicial Independence with Accountability:
- While preserving the judiciary’s autonomy, reforms should align with constitutional principles and uphold public faith in the institution.
Conclusion:
- The Collegium system, despite its flaws, remains vital for maintaining judicial independence.
- To enhance its effectiveness, reforms must prioritize transparency, accountability, and meritocracy.
- A collaborative approach involving the judiciary and the government is essential for addressing long-standing concerns and reinforcing the judiciary’s credibility.
Mains Practice Question:
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Q. Critically analyze the functioning of the Collegium system in judicial appointments. Discuss the need for reforms and suggest measures to enhance transparency and accountability.
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