19 Dec 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2023)
2. Civil Aviation Sector
3. 50th Edition of Cape Town to Rio Race 2023

1. Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2023)

Syllabus – GS3, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Prelims – CCPI, 2023.

Context – As per CCPI 2023, India is at position 8. 

Climate Change Performance Index –

• CCPI is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the climate protection performance of 59 countries and the European Union (EU). These countries together account for 92% of global GHG (GreenHouse Gas) emissions.
• CCPI is published by German Watch, New Climate Institute and Climate Action Network International based in Germany.
• Each country’s performance is assessed in four categories-
  • GHG emissions (40% of overall score)
  • Renewable Energy (20%)
  • Energy Use (20%)
  • Climate Policy (20%)

Details –

• India is amongst the top 5 performing countries on climate change and the best among the G20 countries.
• India is ranked 8th as per CCPI 2023.
• Since no country was strong enough to achieve an overall very high rating, the top 3 places remained vacant.
• India earned high ratings in GHG emissions and Energy Use categories; while a medium for Climate Policy and Renewable energy. As per the CCPI report, India is on the right track to meet its 2030 emission targets (compatible with a well below -2℃).
• Denmark, Sweden, Chile and Morocco are at positions 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively. 

Some initiatives by the GoI to tackle climate change –

• GoI launched a flagship programme PAT Scheme (Perform, Achieve and Trade) with an objective to reduce Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) i.e. energy use per unit of production for Designated Consumers (DCs) in energy-intensive sectors.
• Ujala Scheme – UJALA Scheme is a flagship project of the Govt. of India where it wants every home in India to use LED bulbs so that the net power or energy consumption rate comes down and the carbon emission rates can also be checked.
• GoI has declared the trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2030 and is promoting Electric Vehicles and the creation of charging infrastructure in the country.
• The government has also organised the 3rd International Day of Clean Air for blue skies as Swachh Vayu Diwas (“Swachh Vayu Neel Gagan”) to raise awareness and facilitate actions to improve air quality under National Clean Air Programme.

Read more on the Climate Change Performance Index 2023 in the link.

2. Civil Aviation Sector

Syllabus – GS3, Infrastructure; Airports.

Prelims – UDAN, Krish Udan, HEMS

Context – Measures taken by GoI to develop the aviation sector in the country.

Details –

• UDAN Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) was launched as a Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2016. The scheme envisages providing connectivity to unserved and underserved airports of the country through the revival of existing airstrips and airports. The scheme is operational for a period of 10 years. The scheme has been able to provide air connectivity to Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities at affordable airfares and has transformed the way people travel.
• Krishi Udan 2.0 – Krishi Udan was launched in August 2020, on international and national routes to assist farmers in transporting agricultural products so that it improves their value realisation. Krishi UDAN 2.0 focuses on transporting perishable food products from hilly areas, northeastern states and tribal areas.
• GoI has accorded ‘In Principle’ approval for the setting up of 21 Greenfield Airports across the country. The project will boost air infrastructure, enhance the affordability of flying and increase the amount of air cargo handling in India. 
• Since 2019, 38 new airports including 10 Greenfield airports have been inaugurated and a total of 351 RCS Routes operationalised under UDAN Scheme.
• Drone Rules 2021 were notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) based on “trust, self-certification and non-intrusive monitoring”. Under the Drone Rules, 2021, MoCA has published an interactive airspace map for drone operations segregating the entire airspace of India into red, yellow and green zones. A Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones has also been notified in September 2021.
• HEMS (Helicopter services for Emergency Medical Service) – to provide speedy medical outreach to needy citizens.
• The VAT (Value Added Tax) on ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel) has been reduced in the range of 1-4 % in many states/UTs. Gujarat and Karnataka have reduced VAT on ATF to 5% and 18% respectively.

Also read – Krishi Udan Scheme

3. 50th Edition of Cape Town to Rio Race 2023

Syllabus – GS3, Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Prelims – Cape Town to Rio Race, 2023.

Context – INSV (Indian Naval Sailing Vessel) Tarini to participate in the 50th edition of the Cape Town to Rio race.

Details –

• Indian naval ship Tarini has set sail to Cape Town to participate in an ocean sailing voyage from the South African city to Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro. The 50th edition of the race will be flagged off from Cape Town on January 2 and will end at the Brazilian city.
• This is one of the most prestigious Trans-Atlantic Ocean races undertaken by an Indian army crew of five officers including two women officers.
• During 5-6 months of this sailing expedition, the crew is expected to face extreme weather conditions and rough sea conditions of the Indian, Atlantic and Southern oceans. 
• These expeditions help in inculcating the spirit of adventure, and risk-taking abilities and also enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to project its benign presence across the globe.
• The Indian Navy has been regularly participating in sailing expeditions like Sagar Parikrama, IONS 10th anniversary and Bay of Bengal sailing expeditions.
• INSV Tarini is well known for circumnavigating the globe with an all-women officer crew in the historic expedition titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’ in 2017. The expedition titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’ was in consonance with the national policy to empower women to attain their full potential. It has showcased ‘Nari Shakti’ on the world platform.

About INSV Tarini

• The indigenously-built INSV Tarini is a 56-foot sailing vessel, which was inducted into the Indian Navy in February 2017, and has showcased the ‘Make in India’ initiative on the international forum.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

December 19th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here