Daily Prelims Notes 16 November 2024

November 16, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

No Comments

Daily Prelims Notes

16 November 2024

Table Of Contents

1. India Opposes Trade Barriers Linked to Carbon Emissions at COP-29

Sub : Env

Sec: Int conventions

Why in News

India has expressed strong opposition to what it calls “protectionist” trade barriers tied to carbon emissions at the ongoing climate negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan. This stance comes in response to the increasing global trend of linking trade measures to carbon emission standards.

Key Points:

India criticized the imposition of trade barriers that connect carbon emissions with trade restrictions, arguing that they unfairly shift the costs of transitioning to low-carbon economies onto developing and low-income nations.
India described such measures as discriminatory and harmful to global cooperation, violating the principles of equity in international climate agreements.
A week before the COP-29 summit, China, on behalf of the BASIC group (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China), requested that “unilateral restrictive trade measures related to climate change” be added to the conference agenda.
The focus of the petition is primarily on countering trade barriers linked to carbon emissions, which are viewed as unjust and uncooperative.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

The primary concern revolves around the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This proposal taxes imports to the EU that do not meet its carbon emission standards.
The CBAM is currently in a transitional phase, with full implementation set to begin on January 1, 2026.
Although India and the BASIC group did not specifically name the CBAM, they referred to it as “arbitrary and unjustifiable unilateral measures” to avoid directly targeting the EU or any specific group of nations.
India’s opposition to trade barriers tied to carbon emissions highlights the tension between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations, especially regarding who should bear the costs of transitioning to sustainable economies.

BASIC countries:

BASICwas formed in November 2009 just before the Copenhagen Climate Summit (COP15)
The group consists of Brazil, South Africa, India, and China
These are major emerging economies that decided to coordinate their positions, particularly on climate change issues.

2. India’s Stance at COP-29: Climate Finance Should Not Be an Investment Goal

Sub : Env

Sec: Int conventions

Why in News

India has made a significant statement at the ongoing COP-29 negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan. During the discussions, India emphasized that climate finance should not be viewed as an “investment goal” by developed nations, underlining the need for a clear understanding of responsibilities between developed and developing countries.

India’s Position on Climate Finance:

India stated that climate finance—financial support aimed at helping developing countries transition to renewable energy and adapt to climate change—should not be treated as an investment opportunity by developed countries.
India, emphasized that climate finance is a “unidirectional provision,” meaning it should flow from developed to developing nations as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Negotiators at Baku are working on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). This goal aims to determine the financial requirements that developing countries will need to transition to renewable energy while ensuring their development needs are met.
The previous target, set in 2009, aimed to mobilize $100 billion annually from developed countries between 2020 and 2025. However, this target was not fully met until 2022, leading to calls for a revised financial target.
The revised financial goal, expected to be finalized by 2025, is crucial to ensure the success of COP-29.
Representing the ‘Like-Minded Developing Countries’ (LMDCs) group, India highlighted that climate change impacts are already evident in the form of increasing natural disasters.
India stressed the importance of this COP-29 meeting, calling it a pivotal moment in the global fight against climate change, especially for countries in the Global South.
The principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, such as equity and “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities” (CBDR-RC), were reiterated by India.

About New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG):

The NCQG is intended to set a new global climate finance target for developed countries to support developing nations in their climate action efforts. It’s meant to succeed and expand upon the previous goal of mobilizing $100 billion annually by 2020, which was established at the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Conference.

Key Features:

Quantified Goal:The NCQG aims to establish a specific, measurable target for climate finance.
Collective Effort:It represents a joint commitment from developed countries, rather than individual national pledges.
Post-2025 Framework:The NCQG is set to come into effect after 2025, building on the previous $100 billion goal.
Comprehensive Scope:It’s expected to cover various aspects of climate finance, including mitigation, adaptation, and addressing loss and damage.

Negotiation Process: The NCQG is being discussed and negotiated through a series of technical expert dialogues and high-level ministerial meetings under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) process.

COP29 of UNFCCC:

Date: Scheduled for November 11-24, 2024
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
It follows COP28 held in Dubai, UAE, in 2023, which saw significant discussions on the phase-out of fossil fuels and the operationalization of the loss and damage fund.

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC):

CBDR-RC is a principle in international climate policy recognizing that countries have shared responsibilities to address climate change, but with differentiated obligations.
It was first articulated in the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to account for varying historical contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Principle: The principle acknowledges that developed countries, due to higher historical emissions, should take greater responsibility for mitigation and financial support.
It emphasizes that countries’ obligations should vary based on their capabilities, resources, and level of development.
Paris Agreement: CBDR-RC remains a core tenet, guiding the differentiated commitments of countries in climate action, including finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.
The principle underlines the gap between developed nations’ resources and the vulnerabilities and needs of developing countries.
CBDR-RC includes the expectation that developed countries will provide financial aid to support climate efforts in less capable nations.
It calls for technology transfer and capacity building from developed to developing nations to address climate challenges.
The principle ensures that developing nations can pursue sustainable development without being burdened by strict emission reduction targets.

3. Trump targets ‘wokeness’ in schools, vows to use federal funds as leverage

Sub : IR

Sec: Governance

Context:

Donald Trump’s education plan centres around a strong opposition to what he perceives as “wokeness” and “left-wing indoctrination” in American schools.
He seeks to reshape the educational landscape by focusing on policies that promote conservative values.

Elements of his proposed vision for the U.S. education system:

Ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports.
Forbid teaching on gender identity and structural racism in classrooms.
Abolish diversity and inclusion offices in schools.

Funding and Incentives:

Trump plans to cut federal funding to schools that do not comply with his policies, particularly those promoting critical race theory, transgender issues, and other content he deems inappropriate.
Trump’s platform includes offering massive funding preferences to states and schools that support conservative reforms, such as ending teacher tenure, enacting universal school choice programs, and allowing parents to elect school principals.

Opposition to Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives:

Trump has consistently criticized diversity and inclusion programs in colleges and universities. He believes these programs promote discrimination rather than diversity.
He proposed fining universities if they do not shut down these programs.

Abolition of the US Department of Education:

One of Trump’s more ambitious proposals is to shut down the U.S. Department of Education entirely, which he describes as having been infiltrated by radicals. This has been a long-standing goal of conservatives.

Patriotic education:

Trump has expressed a desire to reinstate the 1776 Commission, which he created in 2021 to promote patriotic education.
This initiative emphasizes American history, focusing on the nation’s founding principles and what Trump views as the positive aspects of U.S. history.
He also proposed creating a new credentialing body to certify teachers who embrace patriotic values.

Impact on schools:

Federal funding for public schools, which makes up about 14% of their revenue, would be at risk for schools that oppose Trump’s policies.
The majority of funding for public schools comes from state and local taxes, but Trump could still influence the financial stability of these institutions by targeting federal contributions.

Contradictions in Policy:

Trump’s push for removing the federal government from education contradicts his strong desire to regulate school curriculums and impose a “patriotic” education.

4. In ‘life certificate’ month, how Govt’s Jeevan Pramaan has been faring

Sub : Schemes

Sec: Governance

Context:

Every November, retirees from various sectors, including government services must submit a life certificate to continue receiving their pensions.
Since 2014, the government introduced a digital alternative to this process known as Jeevan Pramaan or Digital Life Certificate (DLC), which allows pensioners to generate their life certificates online without the need to visit the pension disbursing authorities.

Jeevan Pramaan Campaign:

The third annual DLC campaign began on November 1 and will run until November 30. During this period, pensioners can visit one of the 1,900 camps organized across the country to generate their Jeevan Pramaan digitally.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions organises the camps. Separately, post offices and banks are holding their own camps.
The campaign aims to help pensioners avoid the need to physically visit the pension disbursing agencies (banks, post offices) by facilitating the online generation of the life certificate.
However, pensioners who prefer to physically go to post offices or banks to submit their life certificates can continue to do so.

How Jeevan Pramaan works:

The Jeevan Pramaan portal uses Aadhaar for biometric authentication. If the pensioner is using the Jeevan Pramaan app or website on their own, they must have access to a biometric device (for fingerprint authentication).
From 2021, face authentication has been added as an option.
The pensioner must have an Aadhaar number linked with a mobile number. The Aadhaar must be registered with the pension disbursing authority (bank, post office, etc.).

5. The challenges to Brazil’s plans for taxing the world’s richest people

Sub : IR

Sec: Grouping

Context:

Brazil hosting the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro and aims to advance a proposal to tax the world’s wealthiest billionaires.
The proposal has been met with resistance, particularly from the US and Germany, but has garnered support from other countries, including France, Spain, and South Africa.
The summit will also launch the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, an initiative under Brazil’s G20 presidency that seeks to accelerate efforts in the fight against poverty and a lack of food by 2030.

Key details of the proposal:

Tax structure: The proposal, developed by French economist Gabriel Zucman, suggests an annual tax of 2% on the total net worth of ultra-wealthy individuals, not just their income. This would include assets such as real estate, corporate shares, and investments.
Target group: The tax would apply to the wealthiest 01% of the global population, who currently pay an effective tax rate of just 0.3% of their total wealth.
Potential revenue: The tax could generate up to $250 billion annually, with funds used to address global issues like poverty, hunger, climate change, and growing debt among low-income nations.

Opposition to the initiative:

The United States remains opposed to the proposal, particularly under the Trump administration, which pursued tax cuts benefiting high-net-worth individuals and corporations during their first term.
Many G20 nations are struggling with their own budgetary challenges and are wary of committing to international obligations without clear benefits for their domestic economies.

Impact on Africa:

The African Union (AU), which became a full member of the G20 in August 2024, is be attending the G20 summit for the first time.
African nations stand to benefit significantly from any new tax plan through the potential funding for climate adaptation and poverty alleviation
In 2025, South Africa will take over the G20 presidency, continuing the trend of Global South leadership within the G20 after Indonesia, India, and Brazil.
This shift presents an opportunity for African countries to advocate for policies that address their unique economic and social challenges, including climate change and poverty.

6. Punjab and Haryana Dispute Over New Assembly Building in Chandigarh

Sub : Polity

Sec : Federalism

Why in News

The long-standing conflict between Punjab and Haryana over the shared capital, Chandigarh, has resurfaced due to recent developments involving the construction of a new Assembly building for Haryana in the Union Territory.

Background:

Chandigarh serves as the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana, and it has been a point of contention since the separation of the two states in 1966. The existing Punjab and Haryana Assembly complexes are currently housed in the same building within
The dispute was reignited after the Central Government reportedly approved the allocation of 10 acres of land in Chandigarh to Haryana. This land is intended for the construction of an additional Assembly building for Haryana.
In response to the Central Government’s decision, a delegation from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), submitted a memorandum asserting Punjab’s claim over Chandigarh and expressed firm opposition to Haryana’s request for land. Punjab’s representatives emphasized their intention to protect Punjab’s rights over the city.
Haryana Chief Minister responded by asserting Haryana’s right to Chandigarh, urging Punjab’s leaders to refrain from political disputes over the new Assembly building.

Chandigarh:

Chandigarh serves as the shared capital of both Punjab and Haryana since the reorganization of Punjab in 1966.
Chandigarh is a Union Territory and is directly administered by the Central Government of India.
The Punjab Reorganization Act of 1966 bifurcated Punjab and established Chandigarh as the shared capital of the newly formed Haryana and residual Punjab.
Despite being the capital of two states, Chandigarh does not fall under the jurisdiction of either Punjab or Haryana; it remains under Central administration.
The Governor of Punjab also serves as the Administrator of Chandigarh, linking the Union Territory administratively to Punjab.
Punjab has asserted constitutional and historical rights over Chandigarh, arguing that it was initially developed as its capital post-partition in 1947.
Haryana maintains its legal and constitutional right to share Chandigarh as the capital, following the 1966 bifurcation agreement.
As a Union Territory, Chandigarh is governed by the provisions of Article 239 of the Indian Constitution, granting the Central Government administrative powers.
Both Punjab and Haryana hold their Legislative Assemblies in Chandigarh, reflecting its dual capital status.

SYL Water Controversy:

Alongside the dispute over the Assembly building, the decades-old Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue resurfaced. This canal is meant to provide Haryana with its share of river water from Punjab, a contentious topic between the two states.

Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal:

The canal, once completed, will enable sharing of the waters of the rivers Ravi and Beas between Haryana and Punjab.
Haryana will get its share of Ravi and Beas waters by diverting equal amount of Sutlej water towards Haryana.
The Satluj Yamuna Link Canal is a proposed 214-kilometre-long canal connecting Sutlej and Yamuna rivers.
It is a 214-km canal, 122 km of which was to run through Punjab and the rest through Haryana.
Haryana has completed its side of the canal, but work in Punjab has been hanging fire for over three decades.
Water resources are under the State List, while the Parliament has the power to make laws regarding inter-state rivers under the Union List.

Sutlej:

The ancient name of Sutlej River is Zaradros (Ancient Greek) Shutudri or Shatadru (Sanskrit).
It is the longest of the five tributaries of the Indus Riverthat give the Punjab (meaning “Five Rivers”) its name.
Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Satluj are main tributaries of Indus.
It rises on the north slope of the Himalayas in Lake La’nga in southwestern Tibet.
Flowing northwestward and then west-southwestward through Himalayan gorges, it enters and crosses Himachal Pradesh before beginning its flow through the Punjab plain near Nangal.
Continuing southwestward in a broad channel, it receives the Beas River (and forms 65 miles of the India-Pakistan border before entering Pakistan and flowing another 220 miles to join the Chenab River west of Bahawalpur.

Yamuna:

The river Yamuna, a major tributary of river Ganges, originates from the Yamunotri glacier near Bandarpoonch peaks in the Mussoorie range of the lower Himalayas at an elevation of about 6387 meters above mean sea level in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
It meets the Ganges at the Sangam (where Kumbh mela is held) in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh after flowing through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.
Length: 1376 km
Important Dam: Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand), Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc.
Important Tributaries: Chambal, Sindh, Betwa and Ken (Right bank).