Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant and green hydrogen Subject: Environment Section: Climate Change Context: Emphasising that green hydrogen will play a crucial role in India’s energy transition, noted scientist and NITI Aayog Member VK Saraswat said it is the future fuel. Green hydrogen is not economical, but with technologies such as […]

    Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill 2021 Subject: Environment Section: Biodiversity Context: Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has criticised the provisions of the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 that is currently being reviewed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Content: Amendments in the Bill The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 was framed […]

    India’s ethanol blending policy Subject: Environment Section: Pollution Context: The Union Cabinet recently approved amendments to the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, to advance the date by which fuel companies have to increase the percentage of ethanol in petrol to 20%, from 2030 to 2025. The policy of introducing 20% ethanol is expected […]

    World Biodiversity Day Subject: Environment Section: Biodiversity Context: “Building a shared future for all life” is the theme of International Day for Biological Diversity for 2022. The theme was chosen to continue developing momentum and support the post-2020 global biodiversity framework at the forthcoming UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15). Concept: According to the Global […]

    Indian Antarctic Programme (IAP) Subject: Environment Section: Climate Change Context: India’s scientific contribution in Antarctica is crucial for advancing knowledge on existing research on climate and geological history in the region, as well as its linkages with the Indian subcontinent. Concept: The Indian Antarctic Programme (IAP) is governed by the National Centre for […]

    Carbon pricing Subject: Environment Section: Climate Change Concept:                                                                   What is carbon pricing? Carbon pricing is the value ascribed to the external costs – usually social costs – of pollution emitted by an industry Carbon pricing is done either through a carbon tax or an emission trading system. Carbon tax is the price […]

    Failure to cut GHG emissions is putting species conservation in eastern Himalayas at risk Subject: Environment Section: Climate Change Context:  A recent study on Eastern Himalayan protected areas exposed its vulnerabilities to climate change and emphasized the need for conservation As much as 36% of 46 protected areas in the eastern Himalayas are […]