08 June 2024 CNA
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A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
POLITY
1. The Centre is notional, the States the real entities
Environment
1. Remoulding the Global Plastics Treaty
F. Prelims Facts
1. Sheikh Hasina to be first of foreign leaders to arrive for Modi’s oath-taking event
2. ASEAN FTA: govt. seeks industry inputs to up demand pitch
3. NHAI floats EoI for satellite-based tolling
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category:Environment

1. Remoulding the Global Plastics Treaty

Syllabus: Conservation, Environmental pollution and degradation

Mains: Significance of the Global Plastics Treaty

Context:​ The ongoing discussions for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty highlight the critical need to address plastic pollution comprehensively. A significant aspect of this treaty is to support a fair transition for informal waste collectors and recyclers, who play a crucial role in plastic waste management. Given the alarming rise in global plastic waste production, it is imperative to recognize and integrate the contributions of these workers into the treaty framework.

The Scale of Plastic Waste

• Global Plastic Waste Production: According to the OECD Global Plastic Outlook, plastic waste production reached 353 million tonnes in 2019 and is projected to triple by 2060.
• Recycling Statistics: Only 9% of plastic waste was recycled in 2019, with a significant portion managed by informal recycling workers who handle 85% of the recycled waste.

Role of Informal Recycling Workers

• Contribution to Waste Management: Informal workers collect, sort, and recover recyclable materials, easing the financial burden on municipal waste management systems and contributing to environmental sustainability.
• Impact on Circular Economy: These workers promote circular waste management, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent plastic from leaking into the environment.

Challenges Faced by Informal Workers

• Lack of Recognition: Despite their significant contributions, informal waste workers are often overlooked and vulnerable to policy changes and privatization efforts in waste management.
• Risks and Vulnerabilities: Increasing privatization, waste-to-energy projects, and exclusion from Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms pose threats to their livelihoods and recognition in the waste management ecosystem.

Importance of a Just Transition

• Global Plastics Treaty: The treaty aims to establish a legally binding agreement to reduce and eliminate plastic pollution. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) is leading this effort with active participation from the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP).
• Inclusion of Informal Workers: The IAWP advocates for the formalization and integration of informal waste pickers into policy discussions, ensuring their rights are protected and their contributions acknowledged.

India’s Role and Perspective

• Approach from the Global South: India emphasizes repair, reuse, refill, and recycling, advocating for country-specific approaches to plastic waste management.
• Central Role of Informal Workers: India’s informal waste pickers are crucial to its waste management system and should be central to discussions on EPR norms and the new legal framework.

Issues in the Current Framework

Informal Waste Sector Overlooked

• Neglect in Policy: Strategies to reduce plastic pollution often fail to effectively involve informal waste recovery capacities, exacerbating livelihood vulnerabilities.
• Need for Definition: Lack of universally agreed-upon terminology for a just transition and formal definitions for the informal waste sector hinders effective policy formulation.

Financing and Resource Allocation

• Resource Management: Adequate financing and resource allocation are essential to support the transition of informal waste workers to a more formalized and recognized sector within the global framework.

Significance

Social and Environmental Impact

• Sustainability: Integrating informal waste workers into formal waste management systems contributes to environmental sustainability and reduces plastic pollution.
• Social Justice: Ensuring the rights and livelihoods of informal waste workers aligns with principles of social justice and equity.

Global Implications

• International Cooperation: The Global Plastics Treaty represents a collaborative effort to address plastic pollution, with significant implications for international environmental governance.

Solutions

Policy and Legal Framework

• Inclusion in Treaty: Incorporate informal waste workers’ perspectives and solutions at every stage of policy and law implementation within the Global Plastics Treaty.
• Formal Recognition: Recognize and formalize the contributions of informal waste workers, ensuring their integration into national and international waste management strategies.

Financial Support and Capacity Building

• Resource Allocation: Increase financial support and resources to aid the transition of informal workers to formal roles in waste management.
• Skill Development: Provide training and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the skills and knowledge of informal waste workers, enabling their effective participation in formal systems.

Enhanced EPR Norms

• Reform EPR Policies: Revise Extended Producer Responsibility norms to integrate informal waste workers and acknowledge their critical role in the recycling ecosystem.

Nut Graf: As the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations approach their final stages, it is essential to ensure a just transition for the nearly 15 million informal waste collectors worldwide. By recognizing their contributions and integrating their perspectives, the treaty can promote sustainable and equitable plastic waste management practices. This inclusive approach will not only address plastic pollution effectively but also uphold social justice and equity, leaving no one behind.

2. ASEAN FTA: govt. seeks industry inputs to up demand pitch

Context: The Commerce Department of India is soliciting inputs from industry and export promotion bodies to strengthen its negotiating stance ahead of the next round of negotiations on the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) review. The objective is to identify items where deeper tariff concessions can be demanded, aiming to correct the trade imbalances with ASEAN.

Background

• ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITGA): The FTA, implemented in January 2010, aimed to boost trade between India and the 10 ASEAN countries.
• Trade Deficit: India’s trade deficit with ASEAN has significantly widened, from $7.5 billion in 2010 to $38.46 billion in 2023-24. Exports to ASEAN were $41.2 billion, while imports stood at $79.66 billion.

Current Initiative

• Industry Consultations: The Commerce Ministry is engaging with industry and export promotion bodies to gather insights on specific items for greater market access and issues related to non-tariff barriers.
• Review Objectives: India seeks greater market access, flexible rules of origin (ROO), and redressal of non-tariff barriers to address the growing trade deficit.

Focus Areas

• Market Access: Identifying goods where lower duties can be demanded to increase exports to ASEAN.
• Rules of Origin (ROO): Proposing product-specific rules to relax requirements for high-value items with low value addition.
• Non-Tariff Barriers: Addressing barriers that hinder India’s exports to ASEAN markets.

Issues

Disproportionate Gains

• Trade Imbalance: The FTA has led to disproportionate benefits for ASEAN countries, contributing to India’s growing trade deficit.
• ASEAN’s Demands: ASEAN countries also seek more market access, making the negotiation process challenging.

Industry Concerns

• Input Collection: Ensuring comprehensive and representative inputs from various sectors to make a strong case during negotiations.
• Flexibility in ROO: Balancing the need for flexible ROO with the requirement to protect domestic industries from unfair competition.

Significance

Economic Impact

• Boosting Exports: Enhanced market access and reduced duties can significantly increase India’s exports to ASEAN, reducing the trade deficit.
• Domestic Industry Growth: Addressing non-tariff barriers and securing favorable terms can provide a competitive edge to Indian industries.

Strategic Relations

• Strengthening Ties: A balanced and favorable FTA can strengthen India’s economic and strategic relations with ASEAN countries.
• Regional Influence: Improved trade terms can enhance India’s influence in the ASEAN region, promoting regional stability and cooperation.

3. NHAI floats EoI for satellite-based tolling

Context: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated the process of implementing a satellite-based electronic toll collection system by inviting expressions of interest (EoI). This advanced system aims to enhance the efficiency of toll collection and streamline vehicular movement on highways.

Details of the EoI

• Eligibility Criteria: Interested entities must have an average annual turnover of ₹1,000 crore over the last three financial years or the equivalent in foreign currency and at least 10 years of experience in electronic toll collection.
• Responsibilities: The selected entity will be responsible for developing a geo-referenced map and toll charging software based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

System Implementation

• Current Systems: The GNSS-based system will complement the existing RFID-based Fastags currently used for electronic toll collection.
• Dedicated Lanes: Each toll plaza will feature two or more dedicated lanes for GNSS-ready vehicles, facilitating barrier-free, seamless vehicular movement.
• Advanced Technology: The dedicated lanes will be equipped with advanced readers to identify and process GNSS-equipped vehicles.

Issues

Technological Challenges

• Integration: Ensuring seamless integration between the new GNSS-based system and the existing RFID-based Fastags.
• Infrastructure Development: Upgrading toll plazas with necessary hardware and software to support GNSS technology.

Financial and Operational Viability

• Investment: High initial investment required for developing and implementing the GNSS-based system.
• Operational Costs: Ongoing maintenance and operational costs associated with the new technology.

Regulatory and Security Concerns

• Data Privacy: Ensuring the privacy and security of vehicular data collected through GNSS.
• Regulatory Compliance: Aligning the new system with existing laws and regulations governing toll collection and vehicular tracking.

Significance

Efficiency and Convenience

• Reduced Congestion: Barrier-free toll plazas will reduce traffic congestion and wait times for vehicles.
• Seamless Travel: Enhanced efficiency in toll collection will lead to a smoother travel experience for road users.

Economic Impact

• Revenue Generation: Improved toll collection efficiency can lead to increased revenue for infrastructure development and maintenance.
• Cost Savings: Reduced need for physical infrastructure and manpower at toll plazas can lead to significant cost savings.

Technological Advancement

• Modernization: Adoption of GNSS-based tolling represents a significant technological leap in India’s highway management.
• Innovation: Encourages further innovation and development in the field of electronic toll collection and vehicular tracking.

Q1.Consider the following statements with respect to  Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) often seen in news:

Q2.Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT) often seen in news was created by:

Q3.Consider the following statements with respect to GAGAN, often seen in news:
1.It is a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) implemented jointly by ISRO and the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
2. It is an independent stand-alone navigation system.

Q4.Consider the following statements with respect to FASTag: