08 Jun 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

C. GS 3 Related

Category: ENVIRONMENT

1. How can we transition to a low-carbon city?

Syllabus: National Environment Agencies, Legislations and Policies

Mains: Significance of low carbon cities for climate change mitigation 

Context:

This article discusses various strategies necessary for the transition of polluting cities into low-carbon cities.

Introduction: 

• In the year 2020, an enormous amount of 29 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere by cities. 
• Considering the substantial influence cities have on the environment, the presence of low-carbon cities becomes essential in order to alleviate the consequences of climate change. 
• The process of transitioning towards cities with low carbon emissions, or even achieving net-zero emissions, necessitates the incorporation of mitigation and adaptation strategies across various sectors. 
• This approach, known as the ‘sector-coupling approach’, is vital for reducing carbon footprints in urban systems.

Sector-coupling approach: 

• It involves the integration of different energy sectors, such as electricity, heating and cooling, transportation, and industry, to create a more efficient and sustainable energy system.  
• By coupling these sectors, low-carbon cities can optimize the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and better manage energy demand and supply. 
• Energy storage technologies, such as batteries or thermal storage systems, can store excess renewable energy for later use during periods of high demand or when renewable energy generation is low. 
  • This decentralised approach enhances energy resilience, reduces transmission losses, and minimises the need for fossil fuel-based backup power.
• Sector-coupling emphasises demand-side management and flexibility to optimise energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions. 

Significance of energy-system transitions:

• An energy-system transition has the potential to significantly decrease urban carbon dioxide emissions, potentially reaching a reduction of around 74%.
• Recent advancements in clean energy technologies, coupled with declining costs, have eliminated economic and technological obstacles, making it feasible to adopt low-carbon solutions.
• To achieve a successful transition, efforts should be focused on both the demand and supply sides. 
  • On the supply side, this involves phasing out fossil fuels, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, and implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
  • On the demand side, employing the “avoid, shift, improve” framework entails reducing energy and material consumption, substituting fossil fuels with renewables, and addressing remaining emissions through the adoption of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. 

Tailored strategies for different cities:

• The strategies for addressing low-carbon challenges differ based on the unique characteristics of each city, highlighting the need for customized approaches.
• Policymakers shall consider both social and environmental fairness, taking into account factors such as a city’s spatial structure, land use, development level, and degree of urbanization while formulating energy-transition policies.
• Established cities can enhance energy efficiency and encourage sustainable modes of transportation like walking and cycling by retrofitting and repurposing existing infrastructure. 
• Rapidly growing cities can optimize their urban planning to reduce transportation energy demand by locating residential areas closer to places of work. These cities also have the opportunity to adopt low-carbon technologies, including renewables and carbon capture and storage, as they develop.

Ensuring equitable energy governance:

• The social and economic impacts of transitioning to renewable energy sources vary across different sectors and economies. 
• A one-size-fits-all approach may lead to disproportionate effects on certain groups or communities. Therefore, issues such as energy security, urbanization, land dispossession, poverty concentration, gender disparities, and reliance on fossil fuel exports need to be considered. 
• Developing economies heavily dependent on fossil fuel exports, like Nigeria and Venezuela, may face economic hardships during the transition. 
• Developed countries also experience energy poverty and inequity, with high energy costs impacting low-income households’ ability to afford essential amenities.

Way Forward: 

• Achieving a transition to low-carbon energy systems in cities necessitates tailored strategies focusing on governance, behavioural changes, technology, and institutional capacity building.
• It is also essential to ensure that all members of society have fair and equal access to clean energy resources and benefits. By promoting inclusivity and addressing socio-economic disparities, energy governance can contribute to a just transition towards a low-carbon future.
• Governments must focus on engaging diverse stakeholders in energy governance, promoting energy efficiency, increasing climate investments, and incorporating diverse knowledge sources, including indigenous and local perspectives.
• The transition requires comprehensive actions that include mitigation and adaptation, encouraging participation in decision-making to ensure a just and sustainable energy future.

Nut Graf: To mitigate climate change, low-carbon cities are crucial, and a sector-coupling approach integrating energy sectors is key to reducing carbon footprints. Energy-system transitions can significantly decrease urban carbon emissions, aided by advancements in clean energy technologies. 

F. Prelims Facts

1. Kerala Fibre Optic Network project

Syllabus: GS02-Governance

Prelims: Fibre Optic Network; Basic Human rights

Context: Kerala government launches Kerala Fibre Optic Network project.

Key Details: 

• Kerala launched its own internet service through the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) project, making it the first state in India to do so. 
• With the goal of bridging the digital divide, the KFON project aims to provide internet access to every citizen. Initially, it plans to offer internet connectivity to 100 households in each assembly constituency of the state.
• KFON has successfully established a robust IT infrastructure that can facilitate up to 40 lakh internet connections throughout Kerala, setting the stage for widespread internet accessibility and connectivity.
• This initiative has successfully reached remote locations, including tribal hamlets in Wayanad and other previously underserved areas.
• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in July 2022 granted KFON an infrastructure provider (IP) license and also approved the organization as an internet service provider (ISP).

Internet as a basic human right: 

• In 2019, the Kerala government became the first state in India to declare internet access as a fundamental right. This significant step followed a United Nations resolution that recognized internet access as a basic human right in 2016.
• The declaration was accompanied by a comprehensive plan to transform it into a tangible reality. 
• KFON was established as a means to provide free internet connections to 20 lakh below-poverty-line (BPL) families in the state.
• Recognizing the transformative potential of the internet, the Kerala government took proactive measures to address the digital divide and promote inclusivity.
• Recently Kerala declared itself as India’s first fully e-governed State. 
  • The e-office system has already been implemented in the Secretariat, district collectorates, commissionerates and directorates. 
  • As many as 900 government services, comprising all the services usually required by the public, are now available through a single-window portal.
• The government has also begun a digital literacy campaign at the grassroots level through various local bodies to ensure that everyone is equipped to access basic services through the Internet.
• By ensuring widespread access to the internet, Kerala aims to foster social and economic development while creating a more digitally empowered society.

Learn about  Digital India.