The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

Staying Cool with Clean Tech: Global Collaborations

Introduction

• Cooling as a Necessity: Rising global temperatures make cooling essential, especially for vulnerable populations.
• Wilmington Declaration (Sept 21, 2024): Issued by Quad nations (Australia, India, Japan, U.S.) to promote sustainable energy and high-efficiency cooling systems.
• India-U.S. Roadmap: Focus on resilient global clean energy supply chains, with an emphasis on clean cooling technologies.

Cooling-Related Emissions

• Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment (2016):
  • Set global precedents for reducing cooling-related emissions.
  • Expanded scope to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases.
• HFC Impact:
  • Could contribute 0.52°C warming by 2100.
  • Aligning HFC reduction with energy efficiency could achieve two-thirds of total GHG reductions by cutting electricity use.
• Need for Integrated Efforts:
  • Efficient cooling systems with climate-friendly refrigerants are available, but markets still have outdated models.
  • Stronger regulations are essential to prevent inefficient appliance dumping in developing nations.

Cooling Challenges in India

• Extreme Heatwaves:
  • 2024: Parts of India experienced temperatures over 50°C.
  • By 2030, 160-200 million Indians could face deadly heatwaves annually.
• Surging Cooling Demand:
  • Air conditioner sales rise 16% per degree over 30°C.
  • By 2050, India will have 1.14 billion air conditioners, highest global cooling demand.
• India’s Leadership:
  • Ratified Kigali Amendment (2021), pledging 85% HFC reduction by 2047.
  • India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) targets:
    • 20%-25% cooling demand reduction.
    • 25%-40% energy consumption reduction.
    • Shift to low-GWP refrigerants.

Mission-Mode Approach

• National Cooling Mission:
  • Requires cross-sectoral collaboration and inter-ministerial working groups.
  • Focus on capacity building, budget allocation, and long-term sustainability.

Momentum of COP28 and COP29

• COP28 (Dubai):
  • 63 countries pledged 68% reduction in cooling emissions by 2050.
  • Global Cooling Pledge aims to provide cooling for 3.5 billion people, saving $17 trillion in energy costs.
• COP29 (Baku, 2024):
  • Opportunity to expand cooling commitments and build on COP28 momentum.
  • Focus on equitable access, especially in developing regions with fragile grids and high cooling needs.

Conclusion

• India’s proactive approach positions it as a global leader in sustainable cooling.
• International collaboration and accelerated action at COP29 are essential to address the cooling challenge and combat climate change.

 

 

 

 

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

The BRICS Journey: Gaining Heft While in Transition

Introduction

• Putin’s Role in BRICS:
  • 2023: Digital appearance at BRICS summit in Johannesburg due to ICC warrant.
  • 2024: Hosted 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia (Oct 22-24), dominated discussions.
• Backdrop: Global conflicts like Ukraine and West Asia pushed to the background during the summit.

Survival and Rejuvenation

• Historical Context:
  • BRICS formed in 2009 with Brazil, Russia, India, China;
  • South Africa joined in 2011.
• Challenges in the Second Decade:
  • COVID-19, Galwan Valley clash (2020), and Russia-Ukraine War (2022) tested the group’s resilience.
• Expansion in 2023:
  • Added Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia.
  • 34 nations expressed interest in joining, reinforcing BRICS as a ‘Global Majority.’

Assessment of the Kazan Summit

• BRICS Spirit:
  • Guided by 8 principles: mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, collaboration, consensus.
• Three Key Verticals:

• 1. Political and Security
  2. Economic and Financial
  3. Cultural and People-to-People Cooperation

Key Issues Discussed

• United Nations Reform:
  • Supports greater roles for India, Brazil, South Africa in UN Security Council.
  • No significant breakthrough due to China’s reluctance.
• Unilateral Economic Sanctions:
  • Criticized sanctions as violations of international law with negative impacts on human rights.
• West Asia Conflict:
  • Focused on Israel-Palestine conflict, calling for:
    • Immediate ceasefire.
    • Release of hostages.
    • Establishment of State of Palestine.
  • No mention of Hamas attacks (Oct 7); criticized by Israel.
• War in Ukraine:
  • Emphasized diplomacy, dialogue, and addressing root causes.
  • No strong stance due to Russia’s position as chair.

Economic and Financial Cooperation

• Common Currency Discussions:
  • Promoted use of local currencies for intra-BRICS trade.
• New Development Bank:
  • Hindered by Saudi Arabia’s hesitation to inject capital.
  • Commitment to transforming it into a “21st-century MDB.”

People-to-People Cooperation

• Focus on sports, culture, civil society, business, think tanks, fostering long-term benefits.

BRICS Expansion

• New ‘Partner States’ Category:
  • 13 countries invited:
    • Latin America: Cuba, Bolivia.
    • Eurasia: Belarus, Türkiye.
    • Africa: Algeria, Nigeria, Uganda.
    • Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam.
    • Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan.
• Expansion to boost BRICS’ global trade, GDP, and population share.

India’s Perspective

• Key Plurilateral Groupings: BRICS is among India’s top six, alongside G-20, Quad, BIMSTEC, G-7, SCO.
• Strategic Benefits:
  • Promotes multipolarity and strategic autonomy.
  • Strengthens ties with Russia and advocates for Global South.
  • Modi-Xi Meeting: Breakthrough on border patrolling arrangements and disengagement, improving India-China ties.

Conclusion

• India’s Role: Committed to making BRICS an effective tool for international cooperation.
• Strategic Bridge: BRICS enhances India’s role as a bridge between east-west, north-south, cementing its geopolitical position.