Framework for Tracking Policies
To effectively understand and analyze environmental policies and initiatives, consider these key aspects:
- Name: Official name of the policy/initiative.
- Launching Body: Ministry, organization, or country responsible.
- Date/Year: When it was launched or proposed.
- Objectives: The primary goals it aims to achieve.
- Key Features: Salient provisions, mechanisms, or components.
- Target Sector: Specific areas like energy, agriculture, waste, etc.
- Significance: Potential impact and importance.
- Challenges: Obstacles in implementation or effectiveness.
- India's Role: For global initiatives, India's stance or involvement.
India: Key Environmental Initiatives
Recent updates and developments in India's environmental policy landscape (Late 2023 - Early/Mid 2024). Aspirants MUST update this information regularly.
Green Hydrogen Policy / National Green Hydrogen Mission
News Focus & Updates
Progress on setting up green hydrogen hubs, allocation of funds under SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) programme, tenders for electrolyzer manufacturing, development of standards and regulations. International collaborations for green hydrogen are also a key focus.
Link to Syllabus
Renewable energy, climate change mitigation, energy transition, Science & Technology.
Energy Transition IndustryCarbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)
News Focus & Updates
MoEFCC/Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) are working on operationalizing the scheme mandated by the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022. Active discussions on frameworks, methodologies for carbon credits, and establishing market mechanisms.
Link to Syllabus
Carbon markets, climate change mitigation, energy efficiency.
Carbon Markets Energy EfficiencyPM-PRANAM Scheme
Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (Announced Budget 2023-24, Rollout discussions)
Objective
To promote balanced use of chemical fertilizers and alternative fertilizers (organic, nano-fertilizers) to reduce chemical fertilizer consumption and improve soil health. Aims to incentivize states that reduce chemical fertilizer use.
Significance
Addressing soil degradation, water pollution from fertilizer runoff, promoting sustainable agriculture.
Link to Syllabus
Sustainable agriculture, soil pollution, fertilizer policy.
Agriculture Soil HealthMISHTI Initiative
Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (Announced Budget 2023-24, Rollout discussions)
Objective
To promote mangrove plantation along India's coastline and on salt pan lands, through convergence between MGNREGS, CAMPA Fund, and other sources.
Significance
Mangrove conservation and restoration, coastal protection (Eco-DRR), blue carbon, livelihood support.
Link to Syllabus
Mangrove ecosystems, coastal zone management, climate change adaptation/mitigation, Eco-DRR.
Coastal Ecosystems BiodiversityAmrit Dharohar Scheme
(Announced Budget 2023-24, Rollout discussions)
Objective
To promote the optimal use of wetlands, enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities, and income generation for local communities over three years. Focus on conservation values of existing Ramsar sites.
Significance
Wetland conservation, sustainable livelihoods, ecotourism.
Link to Syllabus
Ramsar sites, wetland conservation, wise use principle.
Wetlands BiodiversityEPR Implementation (Ongoing)
For Plastic, E-waste, Batteries, Tyres
News Focus & Updates
Updates on compliance by producers, challenges in setting up collection and recycling infrastructure, effectiveness of EPR portals, targets met/missed. Continuous monitoring and refinement of rules.
Link to Syllabus
Waste management, circular economy, pollution control.
Waste Management Circular EconomyGlobal: Key Environmental Initiatives
Significant international environmental policies and negotiations with global implications (Late 2023 - Early/Mid 2024). Aspirants MUST update this information regularly.
Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations (INC Process)
News Focus & Updates
Outcomes of INC-4 (April 2024, Ottawa) and preparations for INC-5 (late 2024, South Korea). Key areas of contention include production caps vs. downstream measures, scope of chemicals of concern, and means of implementation for developing countries.
Link to Syllabus
Plastic pollution, international environmental law, Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
Plastic Pollution International LawEU's Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR)
(Implementation phase from late 2024)
Objective
To ensure that products placed on the EU market (e.g., palm oil, soy, coffee, cocoa, timber, rubber, cattle) have not contributed to deforestation or forest degradation. Requires due diligence from companies.
Significance
Major trade-related environmental measure with implications for exporting countries like India (for certain commodities).
Link to Syllabus
Deforestation, trade and environment, supply chain sustainability.
Deforestation International TradeG7/G20 Climate & Environment Declarations
News Focus & Updates
Key commitments made by major economies on climate finance, fossil fuel phase-out/phase-down, renewable energy targets, biodiversity, circular economy, etc., in the communiques from ministerial meetings and summits.
Link to Syllabus
International climate policy, global environmental governance.
Climate Policy Global GovernanceLoss and Damage Fund (Operationalization Post-COP28)
News Focus & Updates
Pledges made to the fund, establishment of its board, criteria for accessing funds, role of World Bank as interim host. Progress and challenges in making it effective for vulnerable nations.
Link to Syllabus
Climate finance, climate justice, UNFCCC.
Climate Finance Climate JusticeStay Updated: What to Track
Key Information Categories
- New national environmental laws & amendments (e.g., WLPA, FCA, BDA).
- Launch of new national missions/schemes or new phases of existing ones.
- Significant Supreme Court or NGT judgments related to environment.
- Innovative state-level environmental initiatives with national significance.
- Major international environmental policies/initiatives (e.g., EU's CBAM, new global alliances).
- Release of important draft policies for public consultation.
Staying informed is key to understanding environmental governance.
Analyzing Any Policy: A General Framework
Use this structured approach to analyze any new environmental policy or initiative you encounter:
Key Details to Extract:
- Name of Policy/Initiative: The official title.
- Launching Body/Country: Who is behind it?
- Date of Launch/Proposal: Timeline context.
- Objectives: What does it aim to achieve?
- Key Provisions/Features: How will it work? What are the main components?
- Significance/Potential Impact: Why is it important? What changes could it bring?
- Criticisms/Challenges (if any): What are the potential downsides or hurdles?
- India's Involvement/Stance (for global initiatives): What is India's position or role?
Example Application:
If a "Draft National Forest Policy" is released, you would analyze it for its proposed changes (e.g., carbon neutrality, private sector participation) and potential concerns (e.g., community rights, focus on plantations).