The Climate Log - Edition #2

11th September – 18th September 2024

??TOP PICKS

??? ‘Mission Mausam’ - India’s New Initiative for Advanced Weather Predictions

?? India’s Electric Vehicle Push: PM E-Drive Scheme Announced

?? EU-China EV Tariff Tensions Intensify

?? Digital Agriculture Mission - Unique IDs for Farmers by March 2025

?? Brace for Harsh Winters, IMD Warns

?? Earth’s Critical Planetary Boundaries Breached

??GLOBAL PULSE

‘Mission Mausam’ - India’s New Initiative for Advanced Weather Predictions

On September 11th, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved Mission Mausam with an outlay of ?2,000 crore over two years, aiming to advance India’s weather and climate science capabilities. It will utilize advanced observation systems, high-performance computing, AI, and machine learning for accurate weather predictions and early warnings. It plans to deploy next-generation radars, satellite systems, and develop an Earth system model and GIS-based Decision Support System. Sectors ranging from agriculture, disaster management, defence, environment, aviation, and water resources, among others, will benefit from improved data-driven decision-making. The Mission will be managed by the Indian Meteorological Department, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting. Why accurate weather forecasting is crucial for India amid a changing climate: Indian Meteorological Department Chief’s Interview

India’s Electric Vehicle Push: PM E-Drive Scheme Announced: On September 11th, 2024, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years to promote electric mobility across India.

By March 2026, the scheme aims to achieve a 10% market share for electric 2-wheelers and a 15% market share for electric 3-wheelers. Of the total outlay, Rs 3,679 crore is allocated for subsidies and demand incentives for 2,479,000 two-wheelers, 316,000 three-wheelers, ambulances, and trucks. While Rs 4,391 crore is set aside for 14,028 e-buses in nine cities, and Rs 500 crore for e-ambulances. Rs 2,000 crore is allocated for installing over 70,000 fast chargers, and ?780 crore for upgrading test agencies to handle emerging technologies. The scheme includes 100% support for charging infrastructure at 88,500 sites. This investment is over and above the PLI schemes for the auto and auto component sectors and leaves out 4-Wheelers. Leaders from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and major auto companies have praised the initiative for its potential to boost the EV ecosystem and environmental sustainability.

Bonn Stalemate over Climate Finance Goals continues in Baku: Negotiators met in Azerbaijan for final talks ahead of COP29 but made little headway on a new climate finance target to replace the $100-billion-a-year goal. Disagreements persist over which countries should fund vulnerable nations. The G77, led by India, demands “affordable, accessible, and adequate” finance from developed countries. Critics accuse wealthy nations of lacking ambition.

Why the stalemate though? The stalemate centers on who should contribute (developed vs. large-emitting developing countries) and how much should be mobilized under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). Developing nations argue that developed countries, due to their historical emissions, should bear the responsibility for contributions. In contrast, developed nations believe that large-emitting developing countries should also contribute to the funding pool.

Developing Nations Need $5 Trillion for Climate Goals, Says India’s Environment Minister: On September 17th, 2024, India’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change speaking at an event said that developing countries need over $5 trillion to meet climate goals by 2030, far exceeding the $100 billion previously pledged by developed nations. He said that developed countries are historically responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions and have not fulfilled their promises of financial and technological support.

EU’s Anti-Deforestation Law Faces Pushback from Brazil and India: Brazil has called the EU's new anti-deforestation law “punitive,” citing concerns over trade impacts. Effective from December 2024, the law bans imports like coffee, soy, and timber if produced on land deforested after December 2020. Critics, including the US, India, and other nations, argue it burdens farmers and the forestry sector. India has expressed worries about potential discrimination, with $1.3 billion in exports at risk. The EU defends the law as objective and non-discriminatory, offering technical and financial support for compliance.

China’s EV Makers Advised to Export Parts, Not Technology: China is advising its automakers to keep advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology within the country. Beijing is encouraging Chinese automakers to export knock-down kits for assembly abroad to China to avoid tariffs while still controlling key components of EV production, potentially limiting India’s access to advanced EV technologies and investments. By keeping advanced EV technology within China, the country aims to maintain its competitive edge in the global EV market and ensure that China retains oversight over its EV industry’s global expansion.

EU-China EV Tariff Tensions Intensify: Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao is negotiating with the EU to avoid tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The EU will vote on this issue on September 25. It is being said that due to Germany’s heavy investments in the automotive industry in China, it is lobbying behind China to convince fellow EU members to oppose the tariff imposed by the EU on Chinese EV imports. On July 5th, 2024, the EU had imposed provisional tariffs on China-made EV imports over “unfair subsidization”. More on the backstory here.?

Ethiopia Leads the Charge: Bans Gasoline and Diesel Vehicle Imports: Ethiopia has become the first country to ban the import of gasoline and diesel vehicles, pushing drivers to switch to electric vehicles. The ban aims to reduce the country’s foreign currency expenditure on fuel imports, which amounted to over €6 billion in 2023. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is promoting environmental policies, including reforestation and the use of hydroelectric power from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. However, the country is not fully prepared for this transition, with only one public charging station and limited access to spare parts and specialized garages.

??SECTORAL INSIGHTS

?POWER & ENERGY

Union Cabinet Approves Major Budget for Hydro Electric Projects with Scheme worth 12,461 Crore: On September 11th, 2024, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a modified scheme for budgetary support for Enabling Infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects (HEP) with an outlay of ?12,461 crore. The scheme now includes support for additional infrastructure such as transmission lines, ropeways, railway sidings, and communication systems, besides roads and bridges. It will support a cumulative generation capacity of 31,350 MW, including projects over 25 MW and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs). The support limit is set at ?1 crore per MW for projects up to 200 MW, and ?200 crore plus ?0.75 crore per MW for projects above 200 MW, with potential increases in exceptional cases. The scheme also aims to create numerous direct and indirect employment opportunities, benefiting local communities in remote and hilly regions.

??AGRICULTURE?

Digital Agriculture Mission - Unique IDs for Farmers by March: The Union Budget has earmarked $335.36 million for the Digital Agriculture Mission, with $230.95 million from the central government. The AgriStack Initiative will issue unique digital IDs to farmers, aiming to cover 60 million by March 2025 and all 110 million within three years. Registration starts in October, with the ID similar to Aadhaar, designed to simplify access to agricultural schemes and policy planning. Pilot projects in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have been successful, and 19 states are onboard. The ID will facilitate access to schemes like the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Kisan Credit Card program.

Finance and Agri Ministry Debate the Incentive Rates for Natural Farming Initiative: The Finance Ministry has rejected the Agriculture Ministry’s proposal for a one-time incentive of ?20,000 per hectare for farmers adopting natural farming, considering it too high. Instead, the Expenditure Finance Committee had approved an incentive of ?15,000 per hectare. The NDA government aims to promote natural farming across 7.5 lakh hectares with a budget of ?2,500 crore. Defined as a “chemical-free” system relying on livestock and plant-based inputs, the Agriculture Ministry is pushing for its widespread implementation.

?? MATERIALS AND MINERALS

UN Report Advocates for Fair and Sustainable Mineral Extraction: On September 11th, 2024, the United Nations Environment Program launched its report titled Resourcing the Energy Transition which proposes? seven principles for responsible and sustainable extraction of critical minerals essential for clean energy, emphasizing human rights and environmental safeguards. Critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements are crucial for renewable energy technologies, with demand expected to triple by 2030.? The report highlights the risks of mining on Indigenous lands and documents numerous human rights abuses in the sector. It also suggests actions like setting up a high-level advisory group and a transparency system to ensure accountability and benefit-sharing with local communities. Find the official report here.?

??? CLIMATE RISKS, ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE

Brace for Harsh Winters, IMD Warns: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for an unusually harsh winter due to the La Ni?a phenomenon. Regions like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir may experience temperatures as low as 3°C. The combination of colder weather and increased rainfall could affect winter crops. Citizens are advised to secure heating, stock essential supplies, and stay updated on weather reports.

Earth’s Critical Planetary Boundaries Breached: On September 11th, 2024, Lancet Earth published a paper titled ‘A just world on a safe planet: a Lancet Planetary Health–Earth Commission report on Earth-system boundaries, translations, and transformations’ suggesting that Earth has exceeded critical planetary boundaries. Nearly 1 billion people live on land with diminished capacity to provide essential ecosystem services like pollination and water regulation. Over 800 million people are exposed to unsafe conditions related to blue water flows due to over-extraction and diversion for agriculture and industry. In India, over 1 billion people are exposed to harmful levels of PM2.5, leading to serious health risks. It predicts that b y 2100, 80 million people in India may face extreme heatwaves, and 60 million could be affected by rising sea levels.

ILO Report Highlights Social Protection Gaps Amid Climate Crisis: The International Labour Organisation on September 12th, 2024, published The World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal Social Protection for Climate Action and a Just Transition which suggests that governments are not fully leveraging social protection to combat climate change and support a just transition. The report highlighted that over 75% of people in the 50 most climate-vulnerable countries lack social protection, with significant gaps for children and women. High-income countries spend significantly more on social protection compared to low-income countries, which need substantial international support. The report urges increased investment in social protection to close gaps and support sustainable, inclusive economic practices. Find the official report here.?

Wake Up Call for everyone as Europe battles against severe floods: Storm Boris has caused severe flooding in Austria, Poland, Romania, and other parts of central and eastern Europe, resulting in multiple deaths and evacuations. Rail services and metro lines have been suspended, and emergency services have made thousands of interventions to rescue trapped residents and clear debris. Extreme rainfall and flooding are becoming more common and intense due to human-caused climate change. Authorities in affected countries have declared disaster areas, called in the army, and urged residents to heed evacuation warnings.

??OPINION

For the West, Politics Takes Precedence Over Climate: Manjeev Singh Puri in his article underscores that the US Presidential elections and ongoing geopolitical tensions might sway the outcomes of the upcoming G20 Summit (November 18-19) and COP29 meet (November 11-22).

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