Daily Prelims Notes 4 December 2023

Daily Prelims Notes

4 December 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Sharp decline in FDI into India from Cayman Islands, Cyprus during April-Sep
2. How EC decides poll schedule and why it changed Mizoram’s counting date
3. Countries committed in making their own food system: COP28
4. The transformative benefits of population level genome sequencing
5. Why is Facebook parent Meta suing the US Federal Trade Commission?
6. A.P. Braces for heavy rainfall as Michaung intensifies
7. India will not be bound by curbs on energy use: Environment Secretary
8. COP28 president urges nations to update NDCs to cover methane, other non-CO2 greenhouse gases
9. Methane: More Potent, Less Persistent
10. Can Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative be the Continent’s Holy Grail?
11. Germany unveils Climate Club to tackle industrial emissions
12. Sparking Disability Inclusive Rural Transformation (SPARK) project

1. Sharp decline in FDI into India from Cayman Islands, Cyprus during April-Sep

Subject :Economy

Section: External sector

Context: Sharp decline in FDI into India from Cayman Islands, Cyprus during April-Sep

More about the news:

• Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India from the Cayman Islands and Cyprus witnessed a significant contraction during April-September of the current fiscal year, contributing to an overall 24% decline in FDI inflows, according to government data.
• FDI from the Cayman Islands decreased by 75% to $145 million during this period, while inflows from Cyprus contracted by over 95% to $35 million.
• Experts attribute this sharp decline to heightened scrutiny of applications.
• The overall decline in FDI is seen as influenced by factors such as increased interest rates due to high inflation in the US and other Western nations, along with geopolitical situations in Eastern Europe and West Asia.
• The recent removal of the Cayman Islands from the grey list by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in October may lead to positive FDI flow from the region in the future.

What is FATF:

• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris.
• The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
• Its Secretariat is located at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris.
• FATF members include 39 countries, including the United States, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Germany, France, and the EU as such.
• India became a member of FATF in 2010.
• The FATF Plenary is the decision-making body of the FATF. It meets three times per year.

What are the two type of list of FATF:

• Grey List: Grey list is also called as “Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring”. Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.
• Black List: The black list is called as High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action. Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries. North Korea, Iran and Myanmar are in the black list.

What are the consequences of being on the FATF blacklist:

• No financial aid is given to them by the International Monetary Fund , the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank  and the European Union
• They also face a number of international economic and financial restrictions and sanctions.

2. How EC decides poll schedule and why it changed Mizoram’s counting date

Subject :Polity

Section: Elections

Context: How EC decides poll schedule and why it changed Mizoram’s counting date

What does the Election Commission take into account while deciding the schedule for elections:

• The election schedule, issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI), encompasses the period from the gazette notification issuance to the conclusion of the election process. The critical dates for ordinary voters are the polling date(s) and counting date.
• The ECI has the flexibility to announce elections within six months after the Lok Sabha or state Assembly term concludes, as outlined in Sections 14 and 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The election process must be completed before the existing term expires.
• In determining the election schedule, the ECI considers factors such as the availability and movement requirements of security forces, logistics for electronic voting machines (EVMs) and poll officials, significant national and local festivals, and the prevailing law and order situation.
• When multiple state Assemblies face term expiration simultaneously, the ECI aims to conduct elections concurrently. Although polling may occur on different days, the vote counting typically takes place on the same day.

What happened in this current round of Assembly elections

• After extensive oversight by Election Commission of India (ECI) officials and the Election Commissioners themselves, the election schedule for five states was announced on October 9.
• Mizoram and approximately half the seats in Chhattisgarh were set for voting on November 7, while Telangana was scheduled last on November 30. Counting for all states was initially planned for December 3.
• While the ECI ensured that Mizoram’s voting was not scheduled on a Sunday, considering a significant number of electors attend church on that day, counting for all states, including Mizoram, was initially slated for a Sunday. Following multiple representations advocating against counting on a Sunday, the ECI decided on December 1 to postpone the counting in Mizoram by a day to December 4.

Have counting dates for elections been shifted earlier:

• Yes, changes in election dates have occurred in previous elections as well, with the Election Commission of India (ECI) providing various reasons for such adjustments.
• In the case of Mizoram, during the 2013 Assembly elections, the ECI initially declared that the counting of votes would take place on December 8, a Sunday. However, the date was later revised to December 9, a Monday.
• Similarly, in the current round of elections, the polling date for Rajasthan was initially set for November 23. However, just two days after the announcement, the ECI modified the date to November 25.
• The decision was influenced by concerns raised by political parties and social organizations, highlighting the large-scale weddings and social engagements scheduled for the initially proposed date, which could inconvenience a significant number of people.

3. Countries committed in making their own food system: COP28

Subject :Environment

Section: Int Conventions

Context:

• World leaders have convened at the 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 30 to December 12.

More in News:

• Notably, this COP marks a significant departure by placing a major focus on food systems and their sustainability, acknowledging their pivotal role in achieving the Paris Agreement Goals.
• The UAE has dedicated a day, December 10, to discussions on food, agriculture, and water, and has called for world leaders to endorse the COP28 Declaration on Resilient Food Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, and Climate Action.

Key Highlights: 

Historic Emphasis on Food Systems:

• COP28 prioritizes food systems, previously overlooked in climate negotiations.
• Dedicated day and COP28 Declaration stress urgency in addressing the link between food systems and climate change.

Alignment with Paris Agreement Goals:

• COP28 Declaration urges national governments to align food systems and agriculture strategies with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
• Underscores interconnectedness of climate action and sustainable food practices.

Fossil Fuels and Food Systems Link:

• Acknowledgment of intricate link between food systems and fossil fuels.
• Pressure on COP28 to prioritize phasing out fossil fuels due to the significant reliance of the food industry on high-carbon energy.
• Emphasis on comprehensive transformation in food production, processing, packaging, consumption, and waste management.

Caution Against Greenwashing:

• Concerns raised about the influence of fossil fuel and Big Agriculture lobbyists at COP28.
• Criticism of potentially pushing unproven technological solutions.
• “Climate-smart” approaches like “efficient” use of fertilizers and pesticides are criticized for reinforcing harmful industrial food and agriculture systems.

Global Initiatives and Local Actions:

• The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate Initiative faces criticism for controversial solutions.
• Coalition of 70 organizations advocates for holistic food systems approach within UNFCCC.
• Emphasis on local governments spearheading actions promoting sustainable diets, reducing food waste, and supporting organic farming.

Climate Finance and Agriculture:

• Agriculture, often overlooked in climate financing, receives minimal attention.
• Smallholder farmers receive only 0.3% of climate finance.
• Urgent calls to channel funds to smallholder farmers on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Upcoming Reports and Expectations:

• IPES-Food report emphasizes the urgency of a just transition toward resilient, diverse food systems.
• Food and Agriculture Organization to release a report during COP28, highlighting the impact of loss and damage on agrifood systems.

4. The transformative benefits of population level genome sequencing

Subject :Science and Tech

Section: Biotechnology

Context:

• The UK has recently achieved a significant milestone by completing the sequencing of half a million whole genomes, constituting nearly 0.7% of its population, as part of the ‘deCODE’ Initiative.
• This initiative follows the global trend of large-scale genome projects, with a particular focus on understanding disease genetics and utilizing genomic data for various objectives.

Key Highlights:

‘deCODE’ Initiative:

• Inception: Launched in Iceland in 1996, deCODE genomics enrolled a substantial portion of the Icelandic population for genetic studies.
• Contributions: The initiative has significantly contributed to the understanding of disease genetics and has set standards for the responsible handling of genomic data. It integrates medical records with genealogies.

Merit of Large-Scale Sequencing:

• Large-scale genome projects globally aim to comprehend disease prevalence, identify therapeutic targets, and formulate public-health initiatives using extensive genomic data.
• The UK’s ‘100K Genome’ project has translated into immediate health benefits for participants.

Cost and Accessibility:

• Decreasing Costs: The cost of whole-genome sequencing is consistently decreasing, making it more accessible to larger populations.
• Potential Impact: The decreasing costs pave the way for a future where a substantial portion of the global population may have their genomes sequenced, revolutionizing routine medical diagnostics.

Genomic Initiatives in Asia and India:

• GenomeAsia Project: Aiming to sequence 100,000 whole genomes across diverse Asian populations.
• India’s IndiGen Programme: Providing insights into genetic diseases and variants, with plans for a larger GenomeIndia initiative to sequence 10,000 genomes.

Long-Term Impact and Future Prospects:

• Beyond Individual Health: Population-scale genomics is anticipated to enhance understanding of human evolution, migration, and adaptation.
• Personalized Medicine: Large-scale sequencing paves the way for personalized healthcare based on individual genetic profiles.
• Billion Genome Project: There is a prospect of sequencing a billion genomes in a single project, accompanied by considerations of individuals’ rights to access and understand their genomic data.

5. Why is Facebook parent Meta suing the US Federal Trade Commission?

Subject :Science and Tech

Section: Awareness in IT

Context:

• In a surprising turn of events, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in late November.
• This unconventional move by Meta accuses the regulator of engaging in an “obvious power grab,” asserting that the FTC’s actions could cause “immediate and irreparable” harm to the social media giant.
• The lawsuit revolves around the FTC’s attempt to reopen a 2020 privacy settlement with Meta, aiming to prevent the company from profiting from data collected on users under the age of 18.

Key Points:

FTC’s 2020 Privacy Settlement:

• In May of the current year, the FTC accused Meta of non-compliance with the terms of a 2020 privacy settlement.
• The proposed changes to the agreement included preventing Meta from monetizing data collected on individuals under the age of 18, encompassing information gathered through its virtual-reality products.

Meta’s Lawsuit Against FTC:

• Meta’s legal action against the FTC is an attempt to halt the regulator from reopening the 2020 privacy settlement.
• The lawsuit contends that the FTC is overstepping its authority and engaging in an unconstitutional power grab.

Supreme Court’s Influence:

• The filing of Meta’s complaint follows a notable development in the U.S. Supreme Court. The conservative majority in the Supreme Court indicated openness to challenges against the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approach to fighting fraud.
• The suggestion from the court’s majority implied that individuals accused of fraud by the SEC should have the right to have their cases decided by a federal court jury, mirroring elements of Meta’s lawsuit against the FTC.

Senator Markey’s Critique:

• U.S. Senator Edward Markey, known for his criticism of Meta and other Big Tech companies, dismissed Meta’s lawsuit as a “weak attempt to avoid accountability.”
• Markey characterized Meta’s adoption of “extreme, right-wing legal theories” as a desperate move in the face of potential significant fines.

6. A.P. Braces for heavy rainfall as Michaung intensifies

Subject: Geography

Section: Physical Geography

Context:

• Cyclone Michaung is expected to cause heavy rains accompanied by winds clocking 90-100 kilometres per hour (kmph) at Andhra and Chennai coasts.

Cyclone Michaung:

• Cyclonic Storm “MICHAUNG” (pronounced as MIGJAUM) hs formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal. It is expected to pass through Chennai and make landfall on somewhere between Machilipatnam and Nellore (both in south Andhra Pradesh).
• Areas impacted– Chennai, Nellore, Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and Warrangal.
  • Three rivers (Cooum, Adyar and Kosasthalaiyar), two major water courses (Buckingham Canal and Otteri Nullah) and several waterbodies (‘tanks’) lie within or the vicinity of Chennai.
• It will become a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph.

Details about Tropical Cyclone

Source: Down To Earth

7. India will not be bound by curbs on energy use: Environment Secretary

Subject : Environment

Section: Int Conventions

Context:

• At COP28, India was conspicuously absent from a list of 118 countries signed on to a pledge to triple installed renewable energy capacity by 2030.
• India has also reiterated its right to use coal on the grounds that its historical contribution to the carbon crisis has been negligible, as below-global-average per-capita emissions of 4%.

India’s GHG emission:

• According to India’s latest communications to the United Nations, its greenhouse gas emissions increased 4% from 2016-2019 to 2.6 billion tonnes of C02. The energy sector contributed the most to the overall anthropogenic emissions (75.81%), followed by the agriculture sector (13.44%), Industrial Process and Product Use (IPPU) sector (8.41%), and Waste (2.34%).

‘COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health’:

• The COP28 Presidency, in partnership with the World Health Organization and UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, unveiled the ‘COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health’ to place health at the heart of climate action and accelerate the development of climate-resilient, sustainable and equitable health systems.
• A set of new finance commitments on climate and health was announced to back up these political commitments, including a USD 300 million commitment by the Global Fund to prepare health systems, USD 100 million by the Rockefeller Foundation to scale up climate and health solutions, and an announcement by the UK Government of up to GBP 54 million. The Declaration is announced ahead of the first ever Health Day at a COP and joins a series of announcements made during the World Climate Action Summit to keep 1.5C within reach.
• Endorsed by 123 countries, the Declaration marks a world first in governments acknowledging the growing health impacts of climate change on communities and countries. It also acknowledges the large benefits to people’s health from stronger climate action, including by reducing air pollution and lowering health care costs.
• India has not signed this pledge as well.

Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge:

• The pledge says that renewables deployment must be accompanied in this decade by a rapid increase of energy efficiency improvements and the phase down of unabated coal power, in particular ending the continued investment in unabated new coal-fired power plants.

Source: The Hindu

8. COP28 president urges nations to update NDCs to cover methane, other non-CO2 greenhouse gases

Subject : Environment

Section: Int Conventions

Context:

The recent summit on methane and other non-CO2 greenhouse gases held on December 2nd, 2023, marked a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. It highlighted the growing recognition that tackling methane, responsible for 50% of global warming, is indispensable for keeping the 1.5°C goal within reach

While carbon dioxide (CO2) gets all the attention, there are several other sneaky players in the greenhouse gas game. These non-CO2 gases, though less abundant, pack a powerful punch when it comes to trapping heat and warming the planet.

Here are some of the key culprits:

• Methane (CH4): This potent gas, over 80 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat, comes from a surprising variety of sources. From leaky gas pipelines and burping cows to decomposing landfills and even rice paddies, methane’s reach is far and wide.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O): This invisible troublemaker, 300 times more potent than CO2, has a more specific origin story. Think fertilizers applied to fields, the burning of fossil fuels, and even the treatment of wastewater. Every time these activities take place, a bit more N2O sneaks into the atmosphere.
• Fluorinated gases (F-gases): This diverse group of human-made chemicals, including refrigerants, foam-blowing agents, and even some medical inhalers, are all masters of heat absorption. Though individually not as potent as methane or N2O, their sheer number and long atmospheric lifespan make them a force to be reckoned with.
• Ozone (O3): This blue beauty shields us from harmful UV rays but also absorbs infrared radiation, warming the planet. While stratospheric ozone is our friend, the pollutant ozone closer to the ground is not.
• Black Carbon (BC): This sooty char, emitted from burning fuels and deforestation, hangs out in the atmosphere, absorbing sunlight and warming the planet directly. It also darkens snow and ice, reducing their ability to reflect heat, creating a vicious cycle.
• Water Vapor (H2O): The most abundant greenhouse gas, water vapor, is a double-edged sword. It amplifies the warming caused by other gases but also forms clouds that reflect sunlight, cooling the planet. Its complex role makes it a climate wild card.
• Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6): This electrical insulator may be invisible, but its heat-trapping power is monstrous.

9. Methane: More Potent, Less Persistent

Subject : Environment

Section: Int Conventions

Context:

• It is a potent climate pollutant. At the ongoing COP-28 climate summit in the United Arab Emirates, a group of well-endowed philanthropic bodies, including the Sequoia Climate Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund, announced that they would collectively invest $450 million in solutions to tackle methane emissions.

Methane:

• Methane is an organic compound. Its molecule consists of carbon and four hydrogen atoms (CH4).
• Methane is the second-biggest cause of global warming caused by anthropogenic activity after carbon dioxide and is 80 times more powerful.
• The GWP is a measure of the warming caused by a substance relative to that due to the same mass of carbon dioxide; the GWP100 measures this over a century at a time.
• If carbon dioxide has a GWP100 of 1, methane is 28, nitrous oxide is 265, and sulphur hexafluoride is 23,500.
• However, while carbon dioxide lasts for several decades at a time in the atmosphere before breaking down, methane breaks down in a matter of years. That is, it’s a short-lived climate pollutant.
• Its sources include cattle-farming, landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, rice cultivation, and some industrial processes.
  • Energy, agriculture and waste sectors are the primary emitters of methane, responsible for 30 per cent of the earth’s warning.

Methane emission alert:

• The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) notified governments of 127 plumes spanning four continents and identified 1,500 plumes in its pilot stage, according to the new report by UNEP.

Methane Alert anf Response System (MARS):

• Launched by the UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) at COP27, Egypt.
• It is the first-ever global system that uses satellite data to monitor major emission events and notify governments and companies who can address them.
  • IMEO, launched at the G20 Leaders Summit in 2021, gathers methane emissions-related from satellites through MARS and from industries through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0. It also relies on scientific measurement studies.
• The Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) is UNEP’s flagship programme that includes a partnership of companies to improve the accuracy and transparency of methane emissions data from the oil and gas sector through a committed framework.
• Under the OGMP, a “Gold Standard” reporting is achieved once companies empirically reconcile measurements at source (Level 4) and site (Level 5) levels for the vast majority of their assets. 84 companies met the Gold Standard pathway criteria.

Global Methane Pledge

• The Global Methane Pledge was launched at the ongoing UN COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.
  • So far, over 90 countries have signed this pledge, which is an effort led jointly by the United States and the European Union.
• Methane is the second-most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, after carbon dioxide, and, therefore, pledges related to cutting down its emissions are significant.
• The pledge was first announced in September by the US and EU, and is essentially an agreement to reduce global methane emissions. One of the central aims of this agreement is to cut down methane emissions by up to 30 per cent from 2020 levels by the year 2030.
• Among the signatories is Brazil — one of the five biggest emitters of methane, which is generated in cows’ digestive systems, in landfill waste and in oil and gas production.
  • Three others —China, Russia and India — have not signed up.
  • Australia has said it will not back the pledge.
• According to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, methane accounts for about half of the 1.0 degrees Celsius net rise in global average temperature since the pre-industrial era.

Source: The Hindu, Down To Earth

10. Can Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative be the Continent’s Holy Grail?

Subject : Environment

Section: Int Conventions

Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII):

• Launched on December 2 at the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at Dubai, UAE.
• It aims to upscale and accelerate green industries and businesses across Africa was launched by presidents and representatives from Kenya, Angola, Burundi, Djibouti, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia.
• The initiative underscores the importance of green industrialisation to harness Africa’s vast and quality resources to secure prosperity for all.
• It incorporates elements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, discourages fossil fuel production and use that immensely contributes to global warming.

Approach of AGII:

• The initiative will bring together African Governments, initiative’s partners and other supporting institutions to offer accelerated end-to-end green growth solutions for committed government.
• The work will be organized in two parallel and mutually enforcing work streams:
  • Delivering transformational projects
  • Effecting Systemic change

Why AFRICA?

• Africa has 40 per cent of the world’s critical minerals necessary for energy transition such as bauxite, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, iron, etc.for instance it contains the world’s largest reserves of manganese needed for making solar panels etc.
• The continent’s potential of exporting green steel through reserves of iron ore and production of green hydrogen.
• There are huge bauxite reserves for green aluminium and renewables assets in the Sahel region.
• It has the world’s largest natural carbon sink.

Other Important topics from the topic:

Green Ammonia:

• Ammonia (NH3) is a colorless gas made of hydrogen and nitrogen. It’s widely used in fertilizer production, household cleaners, and industrial applications. It’s also a byproduct of biological processes and can be found in nature, like in soil, water, and the atmosphere.
• Green ammonia refers to ammonia that’s produced using renewable energy sources for its synthesis. (The term “green” signifies its environmentally friendly production process, as it avoids fossil fuels and reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional methods.)

Some important Methods of producing green ammonia are:

• Haber-Bosch synthesis: It involves the use of renewable electricity, like solar or wind power, to produce hydrogen through water electrolysis. This hydrogen is then combined with nitrogen (usually obtained from the air) to create ammonia through a process called Haber-Bosch synthesis.
• Biomass Conversion: Processes such as gasification or pyrolysis can transform biomass into hydrogen-rich gas. This hydrogen can subsequently be employed in ammonia production together with nitrogen.
• Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC): SOECs have the capability to directly convert steam into hydrogen using renewable electricity. This resultant hydrogen can be incorporated into ammonia synthesis.
• Green Hydrogen: Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced through a process called electrolysis, where renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydroelectric power are used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This method generates hydrogen without emitting greenhouse gases, making it environmentally friendly.

Some method of producing it are:

• Electrolysis using Renewable Energy: This method involves using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydroelectric power to perform electrolysis on water, splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis and Alkaline Electrolysis are two prevalent techniques used for this purpose.
• Biological Production: Certain microorganisms or algae have the capability to produce hydrogen through biological processes like photosynthesis or fermentation.

Source: Down To Earth

11. Germany unveils Climate Club to tackle industrial emissions

Subject : Environment

Section: Int Conventions

Climate club:

• Launched at the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, at Dubai, UAE.
• Led by Germany and Chile.
• Chaired by- Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
• Aim- cooperation between countries in decarbonising the industrial sector.
• The Club is claimed to currently represent 55 per cent of the global economy.
• The Club has garnered support from 36 member countries including Kenya, the European Union, Switzerland and others.

What is the climate club work programme 2024?

• The Club’s core idea is based on the fact that the hard-to-abate sectors, including steel, cement, and chemicals, are responsible for about 70 per cent of global CO2 emissions from industry, and developed countries account for a significant share of these emissions.
• The activities are divided into three key pillars:-

1. Advancing ambitious and transparent climate change mitigation policies.
2. Transforming industries
3. Boosting international cooperation and partnership

• These three pillars are further divided into nine interconnected Modules, setting the pathway for initial work of the club.

Governance framework;

• The two co-chairs will be elected for two-year terms for the Club.
  • Currently, Germany and Chile are the co-chair.
• A body of members will determine the scope and approve the work programme, budget and amendments.
• A steering group will be formed to support the body of members when the Club reaches 40 members.
• A secretariat will be formed to implement the work program. Currently, OECD and IEA are the joint interim heads of secretariat.
• The work programme for 2024 will focus on the steel and cement sectors.
• The UK pledged support through financial assistance, contributions to the Green Climate Fund and collaboration with the Breakthrough Agenda to make clean technologies more affordable.
• The United Kingdom highlighted three key areas of focus within the Climate Club.

1. The importance of creating baselines for sustainable standards in industrial products.
2. Understanding and addressing the carbon leakage risk.
3. Support for workers and industries.

Source: Down To Earth

12. Sparking Disability Inclusive Rural Transformation (SPARK) project

Subject : IR

Section: Int .org

• It is being implemented by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and ILO in collaboration with the Women’s Development Corporation in Maharashtra.
• Individuals with disabilities will take the lead in the project, becoming Disability Inclusion Facilitators (DIFs).
• These DIFs will then engage with the community, persons with disabilities, caregivers, women from self-help groups, and other stakeholders.
• It will also focus on raising awareness about disability inclusion and the barriers they face.
• Also DIFs will identify women with disabilities and integrate them into existing self-help groups for social and economic development.
• Through this integration, women with disabilities gain access to funds to initiate entrepreneurial endeavors.
• Thus, the SPARK project can significantly influence societal and administrative attitudes towards persons with disabilities International Fund for Agriculture and Development.