Analysis of The Hindu Editorial – February 12, 2025

Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 1 : A role for India in South-South climate cooperation

Introduction

As the world faces an urgent climate crisis, India stands at a critical juncture where it can lead the Global South in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. The recently concluded COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan—widely recognized as the ‘Climate Finance COP’—has reinforced the importance of financial and technological collaborations between nations. A major highlight of the summit was the operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (PA), which introduces a market-based mechanism to help countries achieve their climate goals efficiently.

For India, Article 6 offers a dual advantage: on one hand, it provides a pathway for economic growth aligned with environmental sustainability, and on the other, it strengthens India’s position as a key player in South-South climate cooperation. By leveraging transparent processes and equitable partnerships, India can help other developing nations while ensuring its own green transition.

Understanding Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

Key Components of Article 6

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides mechanisms for international cooperation in achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—commitments made by countries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The key elements include:

• Article 6.2: Enables countries to trade Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), allowing flexibility in meeting climate targets.
• Article 6.4: Establishes a global carbon market under the supervision of the United Nations.
• Article 6.8: Supports non-market mechanisms, such as knowledge sharing and technology transfer, to enhance sustainability.

By participating in ITMO transactions, developing nations can attract investments, facilitate technology exchange, and improve climate resilience while contributing to the global carbon reduction agenda.

India’s Climate Policies and Article 6.2

Balancing Economic Growth with Climate Commitments

India, the third-largest emitter of GHGs, faces the challenge of balancing rapid economic growth with ambitious climate goals. Some key aspects of India’s climate policy include:

• Emissions Reduction Targets: India’s NDCs aim to cut emissions intensity by 45% by 2030.
• Climate Finance Gap: Despite its strong commitments, India struggles with financial and technical constraints. Before COP29, India reiterated its call for developed nations to mobilize at least $1 trillion annually for developing countries to combat climate change.

By leveraging Article 6.2, India can attract climate finance, accelerate green technology adoption, and enhance its ability to meet NDCs.

India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) and Its Role in Climate Markets

Integrating Market Mechanisms into National Policy

India has launched its own emissions trading scheme, known as the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in 2023. This initiative seeks to:

• Establish a transparent carbon credit tracking and verification system.
• Promote domestic emissions trading, encouraging industries to adopt cleaner technologies.
• Align with international carbon markets, allowing India to engage in ITMO transactions under Article 6.2.

Prior Experience with Carbon Markets

India has been actively involved in carbon markets through mechanisms like:

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)	Allowed India to sell Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) to developed nations.
Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM)	Enabled private-sector participation in emission reduction projects.
Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts)	Promoted energy efficiency improvements in industries.
Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)	Encouraged investments in renewable energy.

This experience has given India a strong foundation to engage with global carbon markets under Article 6.2, unlocking opportunities for climate finance and emissions reduction.

International Collaboration Under Article 6.2

Key Areas of Cooperation

India has identified 14 critical areas for collaboration under Article 6.2, including:

• Renewable Energy (RE)
• Energy Storage Technologies
• Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
• Green Hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation Fuel

India is actively pursuing partnerships with South Korea, the European Union, and Japan to advance these technologies. Through such alliances, India can gain access to cutting-edge research, financial investments, and technological expertise.

Encouraging South-South Cooperation

Beyond engaging with developed nations, India can also use Article 6.2 to strengthen South-South cooperation by:

• Sharing best practices in renewable energy deployment.
• Facilitating technology transfer and capacity building.
• Helping partner nations establish their own carbon markets and sustainable infrastructure.

This strategy not only helps other developing countries meet their climate goals but also enhances India’s leadership role in global climate governance.

India’s Engagement in ITMO Transactions

• Meeting NDCs: ITMOs allow India to sell surplus emission reduction certificates while funding sustainable projects.
• Economic and Health Co-Benefits: ITMO revenues can support:
  • Green job creation.
  • Improved air quality and public health.
  • Technological advancement in clean energy sectors.

India’s Partnerships with African Nations

India is expanding its climate partnerships with African nations, which possess vast renewable energy potential but face climate vulnerabilities. This collaboration:

Aspect	India’s Role	Africa’s Benefits
Technology Transfer	Provides expertise in solar, wind, and hydro energy.	Enhances Africa’s clean energy capacity.
Investment & Climate Finance	Supports climate-resilient infrastructure.	Helps mitigate climate-induced risks.
Capacity Building	Shares knowledge and best practices.	Empowers local communities for sustainable growth.

This South-South cooperation can drive mutual progress while expanding India’s presence in the global carbon market.

Challenges and Safeguards in ITMO Transactions

While ITMO mechanisms offer immense opportunities, they also present potential risks:

• Over-Reliance on India’s Emission Reductions: Developed nations might offset their emissions without taking meaningful climate actions domestically.
• Opportunity Costs: India might lose potential carbon credits that could be used for its own NDC targets.
• Transparency Issues: Weak governance in ITMO markets could lead to inequitable benefit-sharing.

Proposed Safeguards

To ensure equitable and effective ITMO transactions, India must:

• Enforce strict regulations on ITMO allocations and pricing.
• Ensure transparency and accountability in carbon trading agreements.
• Promote a balanced approach where both India and partner nations contribute to emission reductions equitably.

Conclusion

India’s proactive stance in South-South climate cooperation and participation in Article 6.2 presents a unique opportunity to drive sustainable development while strengthening its position in global climate governance. By adopting a strategic and transparent approach, India can:

• Attract large-scale climate finance.
• Enhance international partnerships in renewable energy and technology.
• Help developing nations achieve their NDCs through knowledge-sharing and investments.

However, careful implementation is essential to prevent inequitable burden-sharing and ensure that ITMO engagements align with India’s long-term sustainability goals.

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Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 2 : Addressing the growing threat of forest fires

Introduction

Forest fires have become a recurring disaster, grabbing attention only when catastrophic events unfold, as seen in the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles last month. However, waiting for disaster to strike before taking action is no longer an option. India, with its vast forest cover, is no stranger to the escalating threat of wildfires.

Recent data paints an alarming picture—more than 36% of India’s forest cover is fire-prone, and the frequency of these fires has increased tenfold in the last two decades. Despite this, India’s total forest cover has grown by a mere 1.12% during the same period. This imbalance raises critical concerns about how India can strengthen its forest fire management strategies.

Why Are India’s Forests So Important?

Forests are not just green patches on the map; they are lifelines for biodiversity, carbon sinks to fight climate change, and essential resources for local communities. States like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh often make headlines for forest fires, but other regions, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Karnataka, are also battling increasingly severe and frequent wildfires.

So, what’s driving this surge in forest fires? And what can India do to tackle this growing crisis? Let’s explore.

The Root Causes of Forest Fires in India

Forest fires don’t just ignite on their own—human activities and climate change are the biggest culprits.

1. Human-Induced Causes (90% of Forest Fires in India)

• Slash-and-burn agriculture (also called ‘jhum cultivation’)
• Unattended campfires and discarded cigarettes
• Intentional burning for land clearing
• Illegal logging activities

2. Climate Change-Driven Factors

• Prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures make forests drier and more flammable.
• Shifting rainfall patterns reduce moisture levels, making forests more vulnerable.
• Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, further increase fire risks.

The combination of human negligence and climate stress creates a perfect storm for wildfires, making it crucial to strengthen India’s fire management policies.

The Devastating Consequences of Forest Fires

Forest fires are not just a temporary problem; their impact lingers long after the flames have been extinguished.

1. Environmental Damage

Impact	Details
Loss of Trees and Wildlife	Fires destroy habitats and threaten endangered species.
High Carbon Emissions	Indian forest fires emit 69 million tonnes of CO₂ annually (World Resources Institute).
Disrupted Water Cycle	Fires reduce forest cover, leading to soil erosion and lower groundwater levels.

2. Economic and Social Consequences

• Loss of Timber and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)
  • Communities that depend on forests for livelihoods and sustenance face financial instability.
• Massive Economic Losses
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (2018) estimates that forest degradation, including fires, costs India ₹1.74 lakh crore annually.
• Rising Human-Wildlife Conflicts
  • Displaced animals enter human settlements, increasing conflicts and endangering both people and wildlife.

The ripple effects of forest fires extend far beyond the forests themselves, affecting air quality, public health, and regional economies.

India’s Current Efforts to Combat Forest Fires

Recognizing the growing threat, the Indian government has launched several initiatives to manage and prevent forest fires.

1. Policy Interventions

• National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF)
  • Aims to reduce forest fire incidents and promote community participation.
• Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFPMS)
  • Centrally sponsored program providing funds and technical support to states.

2. Budget Allocation for Fire Management

Despite government initiatives, funding remains inconsistent, impacting long-term preparedness.

Year	Budget Allocation for FFPMS (₹ Crore)
2019-20	46.40
2020-21	32.47
2021-22	34.26
2022-23	28.25
2023-24	Projected: 51 (Revised: 40)
2024-25	50

While allocations have increased slightly, fluctuations make it difficult for states to implement long-term fire management plans.

Bridging the Gaps: A More Robust Approach

While India has made progress, existing measures are not enough to tackle the rapidly growing threat. Here’s what needs to change:

1. Leveraging Technology for Early Detection

• Advanced Predictive Modelling
  • AI-based models can analyze weather and forest conditions to predict high-risk zones.
• Drones for Fire Monitoring
  • States like Tamil Nadu and Odisha have piloted drone-based monitoring, which should be scaled nationally.
• Satellite Integration
  • Data from Forest Survey of India, India Meteorological Department, and ISRO should be combined for real-time forest fire tracking.

2. Community Involvement and Awareness

• Early Warning Systems
  • Mobile apps, toll-free helplines, and SMS alerts can empower local communities to report fires quickly.
• Successful Community Models
  • Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh: Women-led self-help groups collect pine needles to prevent fires.
  • Nepal’s Community Forest User Groups and Indonesia’s Fire-Free Village Program can provide valuable lessons for India.

3. Strengthening Firefighting Capacity

• Specialized Firefighting Teams
  • India needs a trained, dedicated force of forest firefighters equipped with modern gear.
• Increased Funding for Fire Prevention
  • Instead of reactive spending on damage control, more funds should go into preventive measures.

Conclusion: The Need for a Multi-Stakeholder Approach

Forest fires are not just an environmental problem—they threaten livelihoods, biodiversity, and economic stability. A collaborative effort involving government agencies, scientists, communities, and policymakers is essential to tackle this crisis effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Stronger policy implementation with consistent funding.
• Technology-driven fire detection and monitoring to prevent large-scale damage.
• Community participation for early intervention and local-level preparedness.
• Better training and resources for forest firefighters.

By adopting a proactive, science-driven, and community-based approach, India can move towards a fire-resilient future, protecting its forests and people from the devastating impacts of wildfires.

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