October 2023 : Yojana Magazine GIST : Micro Notes or Revision Notes : Yojana Magazine Summary
G20 for the Planet, People, Peace, and Prosperity
India’s G20 Presidency
- Landmark achievement, championing climate and development agendas.
- “One Earth, One Family, One Future” theme.
- New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD) with 83 paragraphs and no dissent.
- Shift from conflict to development and cooperation.
- Focus on policy coherence, predictable trade, and sustainable development.
Accelerating Progress on SDGs
- Only 12% of SDG targets on track, 30% stagnated or regressed since 2015.
- COVID-19 recovery challenges include high inflation, tight monetary policies, and debt distress.
- G20’s endorsement of Data for Development (D4D) principles for progress.
- G20 Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition 2023.
- Promotion of millets for global food and nutrition security.
- Global Initiative on Digital Health to address evolving health challenges.
- “G20 2023 Action Plan to Accelerate Progress on the SDGs” promotes equitable and sustainable growth.
Green Development Pact, Climate Finance, and Mission LiFE
- Green Development Pact – A roadmap for addressing the environmental crisis.
- G20 leaders committed to environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
- Aligning Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with Paris Agreement goals.
- High-Level Principles (HLPs) on hydrogen, critical minerals, biofuels alliance, and renewable energy.
- Emphasis on healthy ecosystems to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
- Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) – Promotes sustainable practices.
- Ambitious climate finance goals:
- New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) by 2024 (starting at £100 billion).
- Doubling adaptation finance compared to 2019 levels by 2025.
- Importance of better, larger, and more effective Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).
- One Future Alliance supports Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) with climate action.
Gender Equality and Empowering Women
- Establishment of the Women’s Working Group under the Brazilian Presidency.
The Voice of the Global South
- Advocated for permanent African Union (AU) membership in the G20.
- “Voice of the Global South Summit” with 125 countries and 18 Heads of State.
- Focus on issues like MDB reform, digital public infrastructure (DPI), and climate action.
Conclusion
- India’s G20 Presidency emphasized collective action, people-centric development, and a more equitable global future.
About G20
- Premier forum for international economic cooperation.
- Represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the world population.
- India held the presidency from December 2022 to November 2023.
India’s Rising Influence
G20’s Significance
- Represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the world population.
India’s G20 Presidency in Challenging Times
- Held during COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine conflict.
- Prioritized a human-centric and democratic approach.
Extensive Citizen Engagement
- Over 200 G20 meetings across India.
- Over 1.5 crore citizens participated through “Jan Bhagidari” events.
New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration: A Milestone
- Adopted despite geopolitical divisions within the G20.
- Showcases India’s footprint on key issues.
India’s Leadership on Global Issues
- Secured consensus on ambitious solutions.
- Priorities aligned with domestic priorities:
- Climate action
- Digital public infrastructure
- Sustainable development
- Inclusive governance
Key Achievements
- Advocated for permanent African Union membership in the G20 (accepted).
- Created a Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository.
- G20 committed to food security through “Millets and other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative (MAHARISHI)”.
India’s Proactive Approach
- Launched new initiatives: Startup 20, Disaster Relief Reduction Group, Cyber Security meetings.
Conclusion
- India’s leadership led to a transformative era of cooperation.
- India’s rise as a global leader reflects its commitment to a better world.
Green Development Pact
Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future
- Signed at the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi (September 9-10, 2023).
- Focuses on environmentally sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.
- Addresses climate challenges faced by vulnerable communities.
Aligned with the Paris Agreement
- Aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- Requires ambitious action on climate finance, cooperation, and sustainable consumption/production.
Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Pact recognizes a 43% reduction in global emissions by 2030 (compared to 2019 levels) is necessary.
- Developed nations to support developing nations with climate finance for peaking emissions.
Strengthening Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- Urges nations to review and strengthen their NDCs (climate action plans under Paris Agreement).
- G20 leaders committed to a successful “global stocktake” at COP28 to assess progress.
Commitment to Carbon Neutrality
- G20 leaders aim to achieve net-zero emissions and carbon neutrality by 2050.
- Strategies include a circular carbon economy and socio-economic/technological development.
Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE)
- Leaders committed to mainstreaming LiFE to achieve significant emission reductions by 2030.
- Aims for a circular economy promoting sustainable consumption/production and decoupling growth from environmental degradation.
Disaster Risk Reduction
- G20 to support developing countries in disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience in infrastructure.
Designing a Circular Economy World
Circular Economy Explained
- System where materials stay in use, minimizing waste and pollution.
- Achieved through maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, composting.
- Reduces environmental impact of consumption and production.
- Aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production.
Importance of Sustainable Lifestyles
- Key to achieving climate and nature goals.
- Focus areas: mobility, housing/energy use, diet/food, new business models.
The Global Problem of Waste
- Every second, the equivalent of a truckload of clothes (worth $460 billion) is thrown away globally.
India’s Potential in Circular Economy
- Transition can generate a net benefit of $624 billion annually by 2050.
- Boosts green jobs: could create 6 million jobs globally.
India’s Initiatives
- Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy (2019).
- Steel Scrap Recycling Policy.
- Vehicle Scrapping Policy.
- Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) on plastic packaging.
- Membership in Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE).
- Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition.
- Mission LiFE promoting responsible consumption, responsive markets, and supportive policies.
- ‘Travel for Life’ program encouraging sustainable tourism practices.
Tools and Frameworks for Circularity
- Provided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
- Life Cycle Initiative
- Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs)
- International Resource Panel (IRP)
- 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production
- Sustainable Consumption and Production Hotspots Analysis Tool (SCP-HAT)
Overall Goal
- Improve quality of life for present and future generations through sustainable consumption and production.
Digital Public Infrastructure & Public Participation
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
- Defined: Open technology platforms for public services (e.g., digital ID, payment systems).
- Importance: Enables digital transformation and improves public service delivery.
- Components:
- Networked open standards
- Enabling governance
- Competitive market participation
India’s DPI Initiatives
- Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository (GDPIR): A digital storage for DPI solutions.
- JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan + Aadhaar + Mobile): Increased financial inclusion from 25% to 80% in 6 years.
- Government-to-Person (G2P) programs: Utilizing DPI for efficient service delivery.
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI): Enables instant and widespread digital payments (>10 billion transactions monthly).
- UPI-Pay Now linking: Enables faster, cheaper cross-border payments with 11 countries.
Key DPI Programs
- Digital India & BharatNet Project: Bridging the digital divide through infrastructure and literacy.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): Financial inclusion scheme with over 500 million beneficiaries.
- Make in India: Promotes domestic production of electronic and digital goods.
- Startup India: Fosters entrepreneurship and innovation in digital technologies.
- Smart Cities Mission: Integrating digital infrastructure across 100 Indian cities.
- Aadhaar: Provides digital identity verification for various services.
- UMANG App & DigiLocker: Secure platforms for accessing government services.
- Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC): Exploring implications for cross-border payments.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Initiatives for responsible AI development.
Conclusion
- India’s DPI initiatives (Aadhaar, JAM Trinity) have accelerated financial inclusion and set a benchmark for digital transformation.
Energy Transition in India
Why the Shift?
- Burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming, air pollution, and health problems.
India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) Launched in 2008
- Established framework for sustainable development goals.
National Solar Mission (2010): A Success Story
- Initial target: 20 GW solar capacity by 2022 (achieved).
- Increased target: 100 GW solar capacity by 2022 (achieved 172 GW).
- India’s ranking: 4th globally in installed renewable energy capacity.
- India’s ranking: 5th globally in solar installed capacity.
Other Solar Energy Promotion Schemes
- Solar Parks Scheme (target: 40 GW)
- Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Scheme (target: 30.8 GW)
- Rooftop Solar Phase-2 Scheme (target: 4 GW)
- National Green Hydrogen Mission (target: 5 MMTPA by 2030)
Challenges of Renewable Energy
- Intermittent nature of solar and wind power.
- Balancing electricity supply and demand.
- Integrating renewables into the grid requires upgrades.
- Energy storage limitations (batteries, pumped hydro).
Challenges in Implementing RE Programs
- Land availability for RE projects.
- State compliance with Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).
- Timely tariff adoption by State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.
- Avoiding additional state charges on renewable energy.
- Transmission infrastructure limitations.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
- Job creation, technological innovation, foreign investment.
- Enhanced energy security, reduced dependence on fossil fuel imports.
- Reduced carbon emissions, improved air quality, public health benefits.
India’s Panchamrit Commitments at COP26
- Five commitments to address climate change.
Conclusion
- India’s transition to renewable energy is key to a sustainable future.
- India’s leadership inspires other nations in the fight against climate change.