Central Idea

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issued a report highlighting the significant impact of climate change and human activities on Earth’s water circulation systems.
• This has direct consequences leading to droughts, extreme rainfall events, and disruptions in water cycles.

What is the Water Cycle?

• The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth’s surface.
• It involves various processes that allow water to circulate between the atmosphere, land, oceans, and other bodies of water:

 Why is it under stress?

• Diverse Impact: Climate change and human activities have led to an erratic hydrological cycle, resulting in both droughts and extreme rainfall events, causing widespread disruptions affecting livelihoods and economies.
• Melting Snow and Glaciers: Ongoing melting of snow, ice, and glaciers further exacerbates the risk of extreme weather events, such as floods, posing long-term threats to water security, particularly for millions already facing severe water scarcity.

Global Impact

• Global Deviations: Over 50% of global catchment areas experienced deviations from normal river discharge conditions in 2022, primarily due to climate anomalies, such as heatwaves, droughts, La Nina, and El Nino events.
• Horn of Africa Drought: Severe drought in the Horn of Africa led to reduced river discharge, affecting food security for 21 million people, while other regions, like the Niger Basin, saw above-average discharge and major floods.
• Water Reservoirs Affected: More than 60% of major water reservoirs experienced below-normal inflow, posing challenges to water availability in a changing climate.

Impact on Asian Water Tower

• The term “Asian Water Tower (AWT)” typically refers to the vast network of high mountain regions across Asia, particularly in countries like India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Central Asia.
• These high mountain regions are the source of many major rivers in Asia, such as the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yangtze, Mekong, Indus, and Amu Darya.
• The melting snow and glaciers in these mountains provide a continuous supply of freshwater to downstream areas.
• This AWT witnessed substantial glacial melting in 2022.
• Rising temperatures accelerate water cycle disruptions, leading to heavier precipitation, flooding, and intensified droughts, significantly impacting the water balance.

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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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