November 2023 : Yojana Magazine GIST : Micro Notes or Revision Notes : Yojana Magazine Summary

 

New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD): A Unanimous Stand

Key Achievements

• Unanimous agreement (83 paragraphs) by G20 countries under India’s Presidency.
• Shift from conflict to development and cooperation.
• Focus on strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

Policy Directions

• Promote trade and investment, WTO reform.
• Address skill gaps and promote decent work.
• Foster transparency, accountability and integrity.

Accelerating SDGs

• Action plan for accelerating SDG progress with data as a key driver.
• G20 Deccan HLPs on Food Security and Nutrition 2023 to ensure global food security.
• Recognition of climate change’s impact on health and establishment of a Global Initiative on Digital Health.

Green Development Pact and Mission LiFE

• Comprehensive roadmap for addressing climate crisis through global cooperation.
• Commitment to align NDCs with Paris Agreement goals.
• Calls for substantial financial and technological support from developed nations.
• New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance by 2024 and doubling adaptation finance by 2025.

Multilateral Banks and Technological Transformation

• Emphasis on better, larger and more effective Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).
• G20 Framework for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) established.
• Support to Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) for DPI growth through One Future Alliance.

Gender Equality and Empowering Women

• The declaration champions women-led development, economic and social empowerment.
• Establishment of the Women’s Working Group.

Voice of the Global South and People’s G20

• Advocacy for including the African Union (AU) as a permanent G20 member.
• People’s G20 initiative for public involvement.

Conclusion

• India’s G20 Presidency focused on collective action for a more equitable global future.

 

India’s Rising Influence: G20 Summit Achievements

Challenges

• Covid pandemic, Ukraine conflict, global recession threats, high inflation, energy/food/debt crises.

Human-Centric Approach

• Prioritized diversity and inclusivity.
• Madhubani painting (GI-tagged art form) showcased India’s cultural heritage.

Landmark Initiatives

• Launched India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and Global Biofuel Alliance.
• Jan Bhagidari initiative involved citizens globally across 37 areas.

State & Whole-of-Government Approach

• Over 200 G20 meetings across India, involving each state.
• Transformed G20 into a “People’s G20” with over 1.5 crore citizen participation.

Outcomes & Achievements

• 112 outcomes and documents (double of previous presidencies).
• New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration addressed food security, blue economy, tourism, land restoration, MSME access to information.
• African Union included as permanent G20 member.
• Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository and One Future Alliance launched.
• G20 commitment to enhanced food security, nutrition, and climate action.

Conclusion

• India’s leadership set the stage for a more resilient and inclusive global future.

 

 

Green Development Pact: A Sustainable Future Roadmap

G20 Focus on Sustainability

• Climate and environment were key topics during India’s G20 Presidency.

Green Development Pact

• Adopted through the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.
• Emphasizes ecosystem restoration and tackling environmental challenges.
• Key elements include:
  • Forest fire prevention/mitigation.
  • Remediation of mining-degraded lands.
  • Reducing land degradation by 50% by 2040.

Technology and Circular Economy

• Importance of technology transfer, capacity building, and financing for sustainability.
• G20 endorsed TAAP to overcome data barriers to climate investments.
• Focus on circular economy and resource efficiency with the launch of RECEIC.

Blue Economy

• High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-based Economy adopted.

Conclusion

• Green Development Pact implementation is expected to strengthen efforts towards SDGs.

 

Designing a Circular Economy World

Global Challenges

• Growing population and resource consumption strain Earth’s capacity.
• Urgent need for sustainable lifestyles aligned with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Circular Economy Concept

• Aims to keep materials in use for as long as possible, minimizing waste.
• Reduces environmental and socio-economic impacts.
• Creates opportunities for green jobs and sustainable development.

Sustainable Lifestyles

• Two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions come from households and lifestyles.
• Key areas for change include mobility, housing, food choices, and new business models.

G20 and Circularity

• G20 India adopted High-Level Principles on Lifestyles for Sustainable Development.

India’s Circular Economy Initiatives

• Circular economy can generate a net benefit of $624 billion annually by 2050 in India.
• Initiatives include:
  • Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy (2019).
  • Steel Scrap Recycling Policy.
  • Vehicle Scrapping Policy.
  • Sectoral action plans on circular economy.
  • EPR guidelines for plastic packaging.
• Membership in Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE).
• Launch of Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition.
• Mission LiFE promotes responsible consumption and influences policies.
• Sustainable tourism initiatives like ‘Travel for LiFE’ support circular business solutions.
• India joined the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI).

Nari Shakti: Women’s Empowerment

• Nari Shakti Vandana Adhiniyam reserves 33% seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• Promotes female leadership and participation in decision-making.

Nari Shakti Progress

• Permanent commission for women officers in Defence services.
• Sainik schools open to girls, providing equal opportunity in military education.
• Women can now enter the National Defence Academy (NDA).
• First-ever deployment of women soldiers on the Line of Control (LoC).
• India has the highest number of female pilots globally.
• Over 100 women involved in Chandrayaan-3 mission.
• India has the world’s highest percentage of female STEM graduates (43%).

 

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) & Public Participation

G20 and DPI

• G20 Leaders’ Declaration highlights DPI for inclusive and sustainable development.
• India to establish a Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository (GDPIR).

Role of DPI in India

• Aadhaar, Jan Dhan accounts, and mobile phones boosted financial inclusion.
• JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) increased financial inclusion from 25% to 80% in six years.

Government Programs & DPI

• India uses DPI for G2P programs, transferring over Rs 32.29 trillion to beneficiaries.
• UPI facilitates financial inclusion with over 10.58 billion transactions in August 2023.

India Stack & Account Aggregator

• India Stack promotes innovation, competition, financial inclusion, and efficient public spending.
• Account Aggregator system ensures user control over financial information.

Key DPI Initiatives

• Digital India Initiative: As of Sep 11, 2023, BharatNet linked 202,028 Gram Panchayats with 658,685 km of optical fiber cables.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): As of Sep 13, 2023, PMJDY has 50.41 crore beneficiaries with Rs 20,494.18 billion in deposits.
• Make in India: Boosts self-reliance in technology.
• Startup India: As of May 31, 2023, India has 108 unicorns valued at $340.80 billion.
• Smart Cities Mission: Integrates digital infrastructure components.

Other Important DPI Examples

• Aadhaar: Enables digital services and identity verification.
• UMANG & DigiLocker: Provide access to government services and paperless governance.
• Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC): e-Rupee launch aligns with G20 on CBDCs.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): MeitY accelerates AI development in India.

Conclusion

• G20 recognizes DPI’s importance for development.
• India’s DPI success inspires other countries for a digital future.

 

Building a Secure and Trusted Digital Economy

G20: From Finance to Digital Focus

• Formed in 1999 to address financial stability, agenda now includes the digital economy.
• Digital economy contributes over 15% of global GDP (World Bank).

G20 Digital Economy Working Group

• Focuses on DPI, security, and digital skilling.
• Outcome Document reflects consensus on key issues.

What is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)?

• Secure, interoperable systems for public/private services.
• Built on open standards and promotes development, inclusion, and trust.
• Respects human rights and operates within legal frameworks.

G20 Framework for DPIs in LMICs

• Provides a roadmap for developing and deploying DPIs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• India’s Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository (GDIPR) aligns with this framework.
• One Future Alliance (OFA) proposal offers support for implementing DPIs in LMICs.

Security in the Digital Economy

• G20 emphasizes safety, security, resilience, and trust for digital transformation.
• G20 High-Level Principles will guide businesses in building a secure digital economy.
• Focus on protecting vulnerable populations, including children and women, from online threats.
• G20 Toolkit on Cyber Education and Awareness helps countries address risks and ensure user safety.

Conclusion

• G20 plays a key role in shaping the digital economy with a focus on DPI and security.
• G20 Framework for LMICs and India’s initiatives promote inclusive digital transformation.
• Emphasis on safety, resilience, and trust with the G20 Toolkit addresses potential risks.

 

Green Development Pact: A Sustainable Future

G20 Prioritizes Sustainability

• India’s G20 Presidency focused on aligning economic development with ecological well-being.
• G20 represents 2/3 of the world’s population and 85% of GDP, making its actions impactful.

Green Development Pact Adopted

• G20 leaders acknowledge sustainability’s importance and commit to collective action.

Key Initiatives for Green Economy

• Global Biofuel Alliance promotes clean energy solutions.
• LiFE Mission encourages sustainable lifestyles to combat climate change.
• EPR guidelines and circular economy efforts support a green transition.
• Circular economy can generate jobs in various sectors.

Green Development Pact Details

• Focuses on resource efficiency, sustainable consumption, clean energy, climate finance, blue economy principles, and disaster-resilient infrastructure.
• Addresses development needs of the Global South for a more equitable future.
• Commitment to ecological restoration with a target of 30% by 2030.

Conclusion

• India’s G20 Presidency emphasizes the importance of sustainable development.
• The Green Development Pact outlines a roadmap for a greener future with initiatives addressing global challenges.

 

Responsible AI: Innovation Meets Ethics

AI’s Transformation

• Revolutionizing industries, decision-making, and society (data analysis, logistics, healthcare, climate change).

G20 and Responsible AI (RAI)

• G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration emphasizes RAI with a human-centered approach.
• Commitment to pro-innovation regulation and human capital development for AI.

Ethical Concerns

• Gender/racial bias, copyright infringement, privacy violations, and misuse in defense/cybersecurity.
• Deepfakes create challenges with verifying synthetic media.

The Framework of RAI

• Designing and deploying AI responsibly to benefit society fairly.
• India’s focus on RAI since 2018 with NITI Aayog’s seven principles.
• NASSCOM embedded these principles in India’s first RAI Hub and Toolkit (2022).

India’s Leadership in RAI

• Chairs the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI).
• Contributes to RAI development through the Responsible AI working group.
• Hosting the 2023 GPAI Summit addresses underrepresentation of the Global South.

Conclusion

• G20’s commitment and India’s leadership reflect efforts to navigate AI’s potential while addressing ethical challenges.

 

India’s Renewable Energy Transition

Why the Transition?

• India’s large population and growing economy demand a sustainable energy supply.
• Shift from fossil fuels reduces environmental impact and improves public health.

Steps Taken

• Policies and Schemes: National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), National Solar Mission (2010).
• Increased Renewable Share: Target of 500 GW by 2030, 172 GW installed by FY 2023 (22.5% of energy mix).
• Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) & Energy Storage Obligation (ESO) promote renewable energy consumption.
• Green Energy Corridor ensures power transmission for renewable projects.

Additional Initiatives

• Solar Parks, PM-KUSUM, and Rooftop Solar (RTS) schemes to increase solar capacity.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) targets 5 MMTPA production by 2030.
• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for renewable energy manufacturing.
• Suryamitra, Vayumitra, Jal-Urjamitra programs for skill development in the sector.

Challenges

• Intermittency of renewable energy sources creates grid management issues.
• Upgrading grid infrastructure requires significant investments.
• Land availability, state compliance with RPO, and regulatory hurdles.

Benefits

• Economic growth, job creation, technology innovation, and foreign investment.
• Reduced reliance on fossil fuel imports improves energy security.
• Lower carbon emissions, reduced pollution, and improved public health.

Conclusion

• India’s commitment to renewable energy with policies, schemes, and international initiatives addresses climate change and ensures a sustainable energy future.

 

Professor MS Swaminathan: The Father of the Indian Green Revolution

Focus on Agriculture

• Article highlights Prof MS Swaminathan’s role in India’s agricultural development.
• Emphasizes job-led growth and sustainable practices in agriculture.
• Advocates for acknowledging agriculture’s central role in national development.

Productivity and Exports

• Maximize crop productivity instead of expanding agricultural land.
• Focus on quality like Basmati rice for increased exports.
• Utilize India’s vast rice-cultivating areas for exports.

Crop Rotation and Stubble Burning

• Address stubble burning in Punjab from rice-wheat crop rotation.
• Introduce early-harvesting rice varieties to avoid overlap with wheat planting.
• Consider both rice and wheat yields for a holistic approach in crop rotation.

Prof Swaminathan’s Legacy

• His insights provide valuable recommendations for sustainable agriculture.
• The interview excerpts pay tribute to his lasting influence.

Rice Bio Parks

• Establish rice bio parks to utilize all parts of the rice plant for economic value.
• Encourage farmers to adopt sustainable practices through economic benefits.

Combating Stubble Burning

• Stubble burning linked to lack of perceived economic value.
• Purchase stubble for cattle feed in neighboring states due to its nutritional value.
• Provide technology to convert rice straw into valuable products.
• Disseminate information on the economic value of stubble to deter burning.

Climate Change and Renewable Energy

• Promote renewable energy sources like agriculture.
• Advocate for behavioral change at household and institutional levels.
• Establish climate management societies in every Panchayat.
• Public education is a collective responsibility to combat climate change.

Conclusion

• Prof Swaminathan’s vision promotes sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and collective action.
• His guidance leads India towards a future where agriculture coexists with the environment.