07 Jun 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

E. Editorials

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. A global order as technology’s much needed pole star

Syllabus: GS-3, Implications of Science and Technology.

Mains: Impact of emerging technology on the nation-state.

Details:

• The rapid scale and speed of technological developments have radically and disruptively transformed societies and daily lives.
• Though lives have become much easier, several other complex challenges have appeared.

Challenges Posed by Technology:

• There are several externalities occurring beyond the scope of geographical national borders like Cyberattacks.
  • Cyberattacks challenge the socio-economic and political existence by creating a ripple effect.
  • The advent of the internet and other technologies like blockchain allows state and non-state actors to influence areas of trade, commerce, health, and education even while remaining outside the financial and judicial scope.
• There is a declining significance of conventional geographical borders as data travel across the world wide web at an unimaginable speed.
  • The existing constitutionally established institutions are inadequate in tackling malicious ‘virtual activities’.
  • It is also difficult to establish the applicability of any country-specific law due to the universal nature of technology. 
  • In the absence of a globally-accepted norm, it is difficult to collect evidence and book the recalcitrant actors.
• Constantly emerging technologies expose the inability and incapacity of the nation-state to administer them.
  • Technological entities have transcended boundaries to collaborate with the rest of the world. For example,
    • Topographical maps which used to be produced by public and military institutions are now available through private entities like Google Maps.
• The five largest American tech companies (namely Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft) have a valuation of approximately $4,100 billion (more than Germany’s GDP).
• Data has become one of the most important raw materials with only a few countries having power and influence over it.

Way Ahead:

• A principle-based global order can streamline the enforceability and challenges in the adoption and diffusion of technology.
• Moreover, it will provide guidance to emerging and least-developed countries.
• India also needs to have laws for data transfer and data privacy. It should be complemented by global regulation architecture trusted by all countries.
• It is a great opportunity for India (as a current chair of G20) to take a leadership role similar to International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

Also read: Cyber Security – Definition, Cyber Attacks, Need and Laws

Nut Graf: The anonymous users and borderless nature of technology have challenged the traditionally accepted concepts of sovereignty and privacy. There is a need for a globally-coordinated approach agreed upon by all countries to tackle the complex challenges posed by technology.

Category: ECONOMY

1. Seeing India’s energy transition through its States

Syllabus: GS-3, Energy.

Mains: India’s energy transitions.

Introduction:

• India is planning to propose a multiple energy pathways approach in the upcoming energy forum.
  • This approach will accommodate diverse contexts and development trajectories of different countries.
• It should be noted that states are crucial players in India’s energy transition due to multi-tier governance of energy production and usage.

Also read: G20’s Energy Transition

Significance of States in Energy Transition:

• In a federal system, states are important for four functions crucial to energy transition:
  • States are spheres of implementation and are important for the realization of national targets.
  • Several legacy issues like high losses, unreliable supply, and service quality are associated with state political economy and thus should be addressed at the state level.
  • States act as laboratories of policy innovations. For instance, initial initiatives of solar energy in Gujarat and Rajasthan and wind energy in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
  • If the goals are misaligned with state priorities, they can become major roadblocks to national achievements.
• Though India has set laudable goals for energy transition, it is important to engage with diverse State contexts, capabilities, and priorities.
• Central mandates like the updation of State Action Plans on Climate Change, the establishment of State-level steering committees for energy transitions, and regular meetings of energy ministers highlight the importance of states.

Associated Concerns:

• India has achieved a significant portion of its 2022 target of 175 GW of renewable energy. However, only a few states like Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan met their individual targets.
• Furthermore, nearly 80% of the current renewable energy capacity is confined to only 6 states in West and South India.

Way Ahead:

• There is a need for multi-scalar planning and execution strategy along with the consideration of inter-linkages, their implications, and cross-learnings.
• The analysis of state-level preparedness for energy transition should be conducted.
• State-level frameworks should understand plans, actions, and governance processes towards energy transition.
  • This will enable an expedited transition.
  • It will broaden the transition discourse of a narrow set of outcomes.
  • It will further lead to greater transparency and public legitimacy.
  • Moreover, it would create a greater sensitivity to State-level diversities in priorities, capacities, and opportunities.
  • It would also ensure evidence-based policy decisions.

Also read: Global Energy Transition Index 2021-2022

Nut Graf: States are critical actors in India’s energy transition. However, an effective transition strategy requires multi-scalar planning and implementation strategies that accommodate the diverse context, needs, and resources of different states.