Central Idea

• The Climate Ambition Summit (CAS) held in New York during the United Nations General Assembly concluded.
• China, the United States, and India, together responsible for about 42% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and ranking as the top three emitters, were missing.

Climate Ambition Summit (CAS)

India’s Involvement

• India last updated its climate commitments in 2022, aiming to reduce emissions intensity (the volume of emissions per unit of GDP) by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030, a 10% increase from its 2015 commitment.
• India also pledged to fulfill 50% of its electricity needs with renewable, non-fossil fuel energy sources and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent by 2030.
• In 2021, PM Modi pledged that India would achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
• However, experts suggest these commitments may not be enough to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

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Central Idea

• Amid the gathering of world leaders in New Delhi for the G-20 summit, the UN climate secretariat unveiled a ‘synthesis report’ summarizing progress made by nations towards the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
• Known as the ‘global stocktake,’ this report is a vital component of global climate action, assessing efforts to combat climate change every five years.

Understanding the ‘Global Stocktake’

(1) Origins and Purpose:

• The ‘global stocktake’ is integral to the Paris Agreement, which commits countries to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and strive for a 1.5-degree target.
• Its primary aim is to periodically review and evaluate individual nations’ efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

(2) Influence on Climate Talks:

• The inaugural report, released this year, carries significant weight, shaping discussions at the upcoming 28th UN Climate Conference of Parties (COP) in Dubai in November.
• While countries have submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for climate action, the stocktake encourages them to enhance their ambitions before the next NDCs in 2025.

Key Insights from the Report

(1) Overall Assessment:

• The 45-page synthesis report delivers 17 key findings that collectively convey that the world is falling short of its Paris Agreement targets. However, it highlights a narrowing window of opportunity for countries to align their efforts.

(2) Echoing Previous Concerns:

• The report echoes concerns raised in the 2022 UN synthesis report, which analyzed the NDCs of 166 countries and found them inadequate to meet Paris Agreement goals.
• It reiterates the findings of the United Nations Emissions Gap Report, emphasizing the vast shortfall in reducing CO2 emissions compared to the Paris targets.

Crucial ‘Key Findings’

(1) Galvanized Global Response:

• The Paris Agreement has spurred countries to set climate goals and acknowledge the urgency of addressing the climate crisis.
• Governments must support the transition away from fossil fuels, ensuring it is equitable and inclusive.

(2) Ambitious Goals:

• Much greater ambition is needed to achieve global greenhouse gas emission reductions of 43% by 2030 and 60% by 2035, leading to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

(3) Renewable Energy Transition:

• Scaling up renewable energy is imperative, while unabated fossil fuels must be phased out rapidly.

(4) Environmental Conservation:

• Efforts to halt deforestation, reverse land degradation, and promote emission-reducing agricultural practices must be encouraged.

(5) Adaptation and Loss Management:

• Comprehensive risk management and support for impacted communities are essential for averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage due to climate change.

(6) Financial Commitment:

• Transparent adaptation reporting and the rapid scaling up of financial support are needed to align global financial flows with climate-resilient development.

Influence on Global Climate Discussion

• The global stocktake report serves as a foundational document for the upcoming UN Climate Conference of Parties (COP).
• It notably influenced the G20 Leaders Declaration, which officially acknowledged the substantial financial requirements for transitioning to a renewable energy economy.
• This acknowledgement sets the stage for intensified efforts, emphasizing the need for trillions of dollars to support climate action, renewable technologies, and the path to net-zero emissions by 2050.

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Central Idea

• A recent study has delivered a stark message: humanity has breached six of the nine planetary boundaries that are crucial for maintaining Earth’s stability and resilience.

What are the 9 Planetary Boundaries?

• These boundaries encompass climate change, biosphere integrity, land system change, freshwater change, biogeochemical flows, and novel entities.
• These findings underscore the urgent need for a thorough reassessment of our environmental impact and the imperative of global collaboration to address these critical challenges.

Understanding Planetary Boundaries

(1) Setting Safe Limits:

• Planetary boundaries can be likened to the vital parameters in human health, such as blood pressure.
• Just as high blood pressure elevates the risk of heart disease, exceeding planetary boundaries heightens the risk of triggering irreversible environmental changes.

(2) An Evolving Framework:

• The planetary boundaries framework was introduced in 2009 to define the safe environmental limits within which humanity should operate.
• To remain relevant, the framework must adapt as our understanding of Earth’s complex systems and human impacts evolves.

The Third Iteration: Assessing Environmental Risks

(1) Identifying Critical Processes:

• Researchers examined processes within Earth’s ecosystem that have been vital for sustaining favourable conditions for humans over the past 12,000 years.
• This era is noted for its stable and temperate planetary conditions.

(2) Evaluating Human Impact:

• The study assessed the extent to which human activities are modifying these crucial processes.
• Computer simulations were employed to determine the point at which human activities could trigger irreversible changes in Earth’s systems.

(3) Alarming Revelations:

• The study found that human activities had breached safe boundaries for climate change and land system change as early as 1988.
• The current trajectory poses a substantial risk of systemic disruption.

Boundaries Crossed and Their Consequences

(1) Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Concentration:

• The safe limit was set at 350 ppm; it currently stands at 417 ppm.
• This has led to significant climate change.

(2) Land System Change:

• The safe limit aimed to maintain 75% of the original forest cover; the current estimate is at 60%.
• Such alterations have profound consequences for land systems.

(3) Biosphere Integrity:

• The safe limit was fewer than 10 extinctions per million species-years; the actual rate has exceeded 100.
• This poses a severe threat to millions of plant and animal species.

(4) Freshwater Change:

• Boundaries have been exceeded for both blue (surface and groundwater) and green (water available for plants) water resources.
• This has negative consequences for ecosystems.

(5) Biogeochemical Flows:

• Safe boundaries have been surpassed for phosphorus and nitrogen flows.
• This has alarming implications for biodiversity and water quality.

(6) Novel Entities:

• The planetary boundary for novel entities was set at zero, and this boundary has been transgressed.
• Risks include stratospheric ozone depletion, aerosol loading, and ocean acidification.

Way Forward: Urgent Global Collaboration

(1) Lessons from the Ozone Layer:

• Successful global negotiations, like the Montreal Protocol, managed to restore the ozone layer to safe levels after transgression.
• Emphasizes the importance of adhering to limits on environmental waste.

(2) Embracing a Circular Economy:

• A circular economy, mirroring nature’s own system, is essential.
• Transitioning towards a circular economy represents a crucial step in tackling these planetary challenges.

Conclusion

• The study’s findings serve as a stark reminder of humanity’s responsibility to safeguard Earth’s delicate equilibrium.
• Breaching planetary boundaries not only poses immediate risks but also imperils the long-term sustainability of our planet.
• Urgent global cooperation and a commitment to respecting environmental limits are essential to avert a potentially catastrophic future.

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