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.