CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/10/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/10/2023

Bangladesh is building memorial to honour Indian heroes of 1971 war

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

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A memorial is being constructed in Ashuganj, Bangladesh, to commemorate the Indian soldiers who made significant sacrifices during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

• The memorial is set to be completed soon and is expected to be inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of both India and Bangladesh.

Key Highlights

• Memorial Details
  • Location: Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh
  • Inscribed Names: The memorial will feature the names of approximately 1,600 Indian soldiers who gave their lives during the 1971 Liberation War.
  • Inauguration Timeline: The completion of the memorial is expected by December, with plans for inauguration in March or April of the following year.
• The foundation stone for the memorial was laid by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in March 2021, signifying the cooperation and shared history between the two nations.
• The primary purpose of the memorial is to pay homage to the Indian soldiers who played a vital role in Bangladesh’s liberation.
  • By engraving the names of the fallen soldiers, the memorial aims to create awareness and recognition for their sacrifice.
• Historical Significance of Ashuganj
  • Ashuganj holds particular historical significance in the 1971 Liberation War, as it is located near the border with India and played a crucial role in the Indian forces’ advance towards Dhaka, including the crossing of the Meghna River.
  • The memorial in Ashuganj is expected to be part of a sprawling complex designed not only to honor the past but also to educate the youth about the Liberation War.

About the Liberation of Bangladesh

• Background:
  • East and West Pakistan: Prior to 1971, Pakistan consisted of two geographically and culturally distinct regions:
    • West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan) and East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh).
    • The two wings were separated by about 1,600 kilometres of Indian territory.
  • Bengali Discontent:
    • The people of East Pakistan, primarily Bengalis, felt marginalized and oppressed by the government in West Pakistan.
    • They were subjected to economic and political discrimination.
  • Events Leading to the War:
    • Election of 1970:
      • In December 1970, Pakistan held its first general election.
      • The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a landslide victory in East Pakistan, securing a majority in the national parliament.
    • The ruling authorities in West Pakistan were unwilling to transfer power to the Awami League, leading to a political crisis.
  • Operation Searchlight:
    • In March 1971, the Pakistan Army launched “Operation Searchlight,” a brutal military campaign in East Pakistan, which aimed at suppressing the Bengali population’s demand for autonomy and independence.
    • Genocide and Atrocities
      • Operation Searchlight led to widespread violence, atrocities against the Bengali population, particularly Hindus, and the horrifying genocide of an estimated three million people in Bangladesh.
    • War and Liberation:
      • Declaration of Independence:
        • On March 26, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh, leading to widespread civil resistance and conflict with the Pakistan Army.
      • Indian Involvement:
        • The conflict escalated, and India officially intervened on December 3, 1971, following a preemptive airstrike by Pakistan on Indian airbases.
        • India entered the conflict following a request for military assistance from the East Pakistani government.
        • This marked the beginning of the India-Pakistan War of 1971.
      • Surrender in Dhaka:
        • Over a 13-day war, Indian and Bangladeshi forces made significant advances.
        • India achieved victory through a combination of effective military strategy and support from Bengali forces in East Pakistan.
        • Indian forces employed air strikes, naval blockades, and ground offensives, leveraging their training and experience to gain an advantage.
        • India also garnered international support, notably from the Soviet Union, which provided military aid and diplomatic backing.
        • The war culminated in the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka on December 16, 1971.
        • This day is celebrated as Victory Day in Bangladesh.
      • Independence of Bangladesh:
        • With the surrender of Pakistani forces, Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation on December 16, 1971.
      • The war led to the Shimla Agreement of 1972 between India and Pakistan, which outlined the principles for future relations and the return of prisoners of war.

Note: Vijay Diwas, celebrated on December 16, commemorates India’s victory in the 1971 war and the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

In Image: Pakistan Army’s commander Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi accepting the decisive defeat and singing the “Instrument of Surrender” in Dhaka.

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Studies provide more insight into the internal structure of Mars

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

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Two recent studies published in Nature have provided new findings about the composition and structure of Mars, specifically its core.

• These studies challenge previous assumptions about Mars’s interior and suggest that its core is different from earlier estimates.

Key Highlights

• Seismological Study of Mars
  • In 2019, a seismological study of Mars was conducted using the InSight Mars Lander.
  • The study employed the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) instrument to record seismic waves passing through Mars’s interior.
  • Data from three years of seismic activity on Mars, including events caused by meteorite impacts, were utilized for these studies.
• Previous Core Composition Estimates
  • In 2021, analysis of data from the SEIS project suggested the presence of a large but low-density core within Mars.
  • This core was thought to consist of liquid iron and lighter elements, such as sulphur, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.
  • However, the findings of the two recent studies challenge this assessment.
• New Studies and Findings
  • Researchers have revaluated seismic signals in combination with simulations and geophysical models.
  • These studies offer fresh insights into the size and composition of Mars’s core.
  • The two studies propose that Mars’s core, which contains liquid iron and nickel, is enveloped by a layer of near-molten silicate rock, approximately 150 kilometers thick.
  • Previously, this silicate layer’s upper boundary had been misinterpreted as the core’s surface.
  • This reevaluation results in a smaller core radius, indicating a higher density than previously estimated.
  • These revised estimates align more closely with existing knowledge of chemical abundance on Mars.
• Implications of the Findings
  • The presence of a near-molten silicate layer with a temperature of at least 2,000 Kelvin implies that Mars had a turbulent interior following its formation, as opposed to a calmer one that would have gradually shed heat to space.
  • This finding has significant implications for our understanding of Mars’s geological history.

What is Seismology?

• Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes, the propagation of seismic waves through the Earth, and the Earth’s internal structure.
• It is a branch of geophysics, which focuses on understanding the physical properties and behavior of the Earth.
• Earthquakes:
  • Seismologists study the occurrence, location, depth, and magnitude of earthquakes.
  • They use seismometers and seismographs to record ground motion during seismic events.
• Seismic Waves:
  • Seismologists investigate the behavior of seismic waves, which are energy waves that travel through the Earth due to the release of stress along faults or other geological processes.
  • These waves include primary (P-waves) and secondary (S-waves) as well as surface waves.

About Mars

• Mars, often referred to as the “Red Planet,” is the fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system.
• It is a terrestrial planet, and it has been a subject of fascination for scientists and space enthusiasts due to its similarities to Earth and the possibility of past or present life.
• Size: Mars is about half the size of Earth, with a diameter of approximately 6,779 kilometers (4,212 miles).
• Atmosphere:
  • Mars has a thin atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide (about 95.3%), with traces of nitrogen and argon.
  • The thin atmosphere is not conducive to supporting human life.
• Surface:
  • The Martian surface is rocky, with vast deserts, canyons, and the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons.
  • It is also home to a massive canyon system known as Valles Marineris.
• Climate:
  • Mars has a cold and arid climate with extreme temperature variations. Surface temperatures can range from about -195°C (-319°F) at the poles to 20°C (68°F) near the equator.
• Water and Ice:
  • Mars is known to have polar ice caps composed of water and carbon dioxide.
  • These polar caps change in size with the changing seasons.
  • Liquid water is thought to have existed on Mars in the past, evidenced by features like ancient river valleys and lake beds.
• Moons:
  • Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.
  • They are irregularly shaped and are believed to be captured asteroids.

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IITM Pune demonstrates cloud seeding can produce rainfall

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

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A cloud seeding experiment was conducted in Solapur, a city in a region with historically low rainfall due to its location on the leeward side of the Western Ghats.

• The experiment aimed to enhance rainfall and improve water availability in the area.

Key Highlights

• Background
  • Solapur typically receives limited annual rainfall, with only 384 mm and 422 mm of total rainfall recorded during the June to September periods of 2018 and 2019, respectively.
• Objectives of the Experiment
  • The primary objectives of CAIPEEX phase-4 were to investigate the efficacy of hygroscopic seeding in deep convective clouds and to develop a cloud seeding protocol.
  • The experiment involved the use of two aircraft for studying various cloud parameters and for seeding the clouds.
• Experiment Setup
  • The study selected a total of 276 convective clouds, with 150 clouds designated for cloud seeding and the remaining 122 left unseeded.
  • The experiment focused on specific cloud characteristics to determine the likelihood of rainfall, including liquid water content, vertical motion within the cloud, and cloud depth.
• Targeted Clouds
  • Convective clouds with a depth exceeding one kilometer and the potential to develop into deep cumulus clouds were specifically targeted for cloud seeding.
  • These clouds exhibited characteristics that indicated their potential for rainfall.
• Experiment Results
  • The cloud seeding experiment, known as the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX phase-4), achieved notable success.
  • It resulted in an 18% relative enhancement in rainfall, equivalent to approximately 8.67 mm of additional precipitation.
  • This enhancement was observed over a two-hour period following cloud seeding.
  • Water Availability:
    • The cumulative impact of the cloud seeding experiment resulted in an additional 867 million liters of water becoming available, which is significant for a region facing water scarcity.
  • Results and Effectiveness
    • The study found that the seeded clouds produced more rainfall than the unseeded clouds, demonstrating the effectiveness of cloud seeding in enhancing rainfall.
    • Calcium chloride flares were used for cloud seeding, and the process involved triggering the release of seeding particles at the base of warm convective clouds during their growth stage.
  • Role in Mitigating Drought
    • While cloud seeding alone cannot fully mitigate drought conditions, it can produce an 18% increase in rainfall, which can partially address water requirements.
    • M. Rajeevan, a co-author of the study, highlights the potential for implementing cloud seeding as catchment-scale projects to assist in drought management.
  • Elaborate Protocols and Guidance
    • The two-year study aimed to understand the microphysics and characteristics of convective clouds suitable for rainfall enhancement through cloud seeding.
    • It resulted in the development of high-resolution numerical models that can assist stakeholders in identifying target locations, clouds for seeding, and appropriate seeding strategies to enhance rainfall in specific areas.
  • Variability in Cloud Microphysics
    • The study revealed that not all cumulus clouds produce rainfall when subjected to cloud seeding.
    • Approximately 20-25% of cumulus clouds were found to produce rainfall when cloud seeding was executed correctly.
    • This variability in cloud microphysics underscores the need for precise targeting.
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • The researchers estimated the cost-benefit ratio of cloud seeding and found that the approximate cost of producing water through cloud seeding was 18 paisa per liter.
    • The cost is expected to decrease significantly when using indigenous seeding aircraft, potentially reducing expenses by more than 50%.
  • Real-World Implications
    • In areas like Solapur, where water supply occurs only once every three days, the availability of additional water through cloud seeding can have substantial and beneficial impacts on water resources and supply.

What is Cloud Seeding?

• Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique designed to enhance precipitation in clouds, primarily to increase rainfall or snowfall.
• It involves the introduction of substances into clouds to encourage the formation and growth of ice crystals or raindrops.
• Cloud seeding is typically used in areas facing water scarcity or drought conditions, where additional precipitation can have significant benefits for agriculture, water resources, and environmental needs.
• Seeding Agents: Cloud seeding involves the use of seeding agents or substances that encourage the formation of ice crystals (for cold clouds) or coalescence of cloud droplets (for warm clouds). Common seeding agents include:
  • Silver Iodide: Used for cold clouds and promotes ice crystal formation.
  • Potassium Iodide: Another substance for cold cloud seeding.
  • Calcium Chloride: Used for warm cloud seeding and facilitates cloud droplet coalescence.
  • Sodium Chloride (table salt): An alternative warm cloud seeding agent.

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The Indian Railways’ revenue problem

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

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The Indian Railways (IR) has been significantly increasing its capital expenditure (capex) since the merger of its rail budget with the main budget.

• Despite this, its operating ratio, a critical financial metric, hasn’t improved, raising concerns about its profitability and financial sustainability.

Key Highlights

• Rising Debt:
  • IR’s lack of surplus has led to an increased reliance on Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) and Extra Budgetary Resources (EBS) to fund its projects.
  • While the merging of budgets allowed for an easier increase in GBS from the central government, the rising debt levels associated with EBS have posed challenges.
  • The IR’s debt repayment obligations now account for a significant portion of its revenue receipts, a sharp increase from previous years.
• Investment in Railways:
  • The significant rise in capex is justified by the belief that the IR’s performance should be seen in the broader context of its role in driving the country’s economic growth.
  • Investments in the railway system are considered vital for stimulating manufacturing and services, generating tax revenue for the government, and creating employment opportunities.
• Productivity Concerns:
  • While the IR plays a critical role in the country’s economic growth, there is a need to ensure that investments made are productive and contribute to the railway’s revenue.
  • The concern is that the IR’s financial health should not deteriorate to the extent seen with Air India, emphasizing the importance of making sound and strategic investments.
• Identifying the Problem:
  • The Indian Railways (IR) faces a critical issue with its passenger segment incurring significant losses while the freight segment remains profitable.
  • In the financial year 2021-22, there was a staggering loss of ₹68,269 crore in passenger services, and the profits earned from freight traffic are used to cross-subsidize these losses.
  • This longstanding problem of subsidizing passenger services using freight profits has worsened over time.
  • The annual growth in the freight volume and revenue of IR for April-July 2023 has been only 1% and 3%, respectively, whereas the Indian economy is growing at a rate of 7%.
  • This disparity indicates a dismal performance.
  • Additionally, the modal share of IR in India’s freight business has significantly reduced to approximately 27%, down from more than 80% at the time of independence.

• Need for Improving Freight Business:
  • The objective is to analyze how IR’s freight business can be enhanced to counteract the losses incurred by the passenger segment.
  • There’s a crucial need to reconsider the division of cargo into goods and parcels, as it leads to discrepancies in tariff rules, handling, movement, and monitoring.
  • Shippers primarily prioritize the safe and cost-effective movement of their cargo from one point to another as quickly as possible.
  • Therefore, it is suggested to categorize cargo as bulk and non-bulk based on their characteristics.
  • The bulk of IR’s freight business depends on 11 key commodities, constituting 90% of tonnage and revenue.
  • Among these, coal accounts for around 45%, while iron ore and cement each contribute about 10%.
  • Despite this, IR’s share in transporting these commodities has declined over the years.
  • For example, the rail share in coal transportation dropped from around 70% in 2011 to 60% in 2020, only slightly improving to 64% in 2023.
  • The share of exim containers moving through ports has also remained relatively low at 13% in 2021-22, despite initiatives to boost rail share through private container train operations.
• Fluctuating Key Index:
  • The Net Tonne Kilometres (NTKM), a crucial index for measuring freight performance, has been fluctuating over the years.
  • It experienced a 4% and 5% drop in 2015-16 and 2016-17, which was followed by a partial recovery of 11% in 2017-18.
  • However, it continued to fluctuate and fell by 4% in 2019-20.
  • In the seven-year period ending in 2021-22, NTKM grew annually at a rate of 3.5%, significantly lower than the growth rate in road transport.

What is operating ratio?

• The operating ratio is a financial metric commonly used in the railway industry, including Indian Railways.
• It is calculated by dividing the ordinary working expenses of the railway by the gross traffic receipts and then multiplying the result by 100 to express it as a percentage.
  • Operating Ratio = (Ordinary Working Expenses / Gross Traffic Receipts) * 100
• In simpler terms, the operating ratio measures the efficiency of a railway’s operations and finances.

 A lower operating ratio is generally more favorable because it indicates that a railway is operating more efficiently and has a larger portion of its revenue available to cover its operating expenses and capital investments.

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Qualcomm’s pivot into the GenerativeArtificial Intelligence market

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

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Qualcomm is shifting its focus towards generative AI, as demonstrated by its recent announcements.

• The company aims to support generative AI applications for mobile devices to perform AI-based tasks on the device itself.

Key Highlights

• Growing Use Cases for Generative AI:
  • Over the past year, the number of use cases for generative AI has significantly increased.
  • Qualcomm’s CEO, Cristiano Amon, anticipates a substantial growth in use cases, expecting to see thousands of them by 2024.
• Qualcomm is evolving from a communications company into a “connected processing company,” reflecting its broader role in AI and processing technology.
• New Chipsets for High-End Computing:
  • Qualcomm unveiled two advanced chipsets for different platforms: one for PCs and the other for Android smartphones.
  • Both chipsets are designed to support high-end computing tasks, including running large language models on the devices.
• Oryon Chipset for PCs:
  • Qualcomm’s most advanced system-on-chip (SoC) for PCs is called Oryon.
  • It powers the Snapdragon X Elite platform and is designed to provide high-performance computing.
  • The Oryon chipset was built by the Nuvia team, which Qualcomm acquired for $1.4 billion in 2021.
  • Nuvia was founded by former Apple semiconductor executives and initially focused on custom CPU cores for servers.
• Performance Comparison:
  • Qualcomm claims that its Oryon CPU cores outperform Apple’s M2 Max.
  • According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon X platform, powered by Oryon, scored 3227 on the Geekbench index, surpassing the M2 Max’s score of 2841.
  • The Snapdragon X platform is also slightly faster than Intel’s i9, as per the same index.
• Qualcomm’s Competitive Edge and Market Position:
  • Qualcomm has made significant claims about the power and efficiency of its new chips, positioning itself as a strong contender against rivals like Apple and Intel.
  • Qualcomm’s claims are substantial and could make them highly competitive in the processor market.
• Challenges from Rival Chipmakers:
  • Intel is preparing to release its advanced ‘Meteor Lake’ processors by the end of the year, aiming to enhance its position in the chip race.
  • Intel’s Meteor Lake processors are touted to offer unprecedented performance efficiency and handle generative AI tasks, marking a significant architectural shift for the company.
• Apple’s Market Disruption:
  • Apple’s M-series chipsets have disrupted the market, and the company is expected to launch its next-generation chipset, the M3, during an upcoming event.
  • Experts anticipate that Apple’s new chipset will be a highlight of the event, emphasizing the intense competition in the industry.
• Nvidia’s Entry into the Market:
  • Nvidia, a leader in high-end AI chipsets, has introduced its powerful GH100 super chip capable of handling complex generative AI workloads.
  • Nvidia is also planning to release its Arm-based PC processors, adding more competition in the PC processor space and targeting Intel and AMD on Windows devices.

What is generative AI?

• Generative AI, also known as Generative Artificial Intelligence, refers to a category of artificial intelligence techniques and models that are designed to generate new content, data, or media that is similar to what humans might create. These models are capable of creating content that was not explicitly programmed or provided in the training data. Generative AI relies on neural networks and deep learning to generate content, making it highly versatile and creative.
• Generative AI has a wide range of uses across various domains, including:
  • Text Generation:
    • Text generation models, such as GPT-3, can create human-like text, including articles, stories, code, and more.
  • Image Generation:
    • Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) can generate realistic images, artwork, and designs.
    • They have applications in computer graphics, art, and image editing.
  • Video Generation:
    • Generative AI can create deepfake videos and animations, which can be used in the film industry, advertising, and entertainment.
  • Music and Audio Generation:
    • AI can compose music and generate audio, including speech synthesis.
    • It’s used in music composition, voice assistants, and audio production.
  • Data Augmentation:
    • Generative AI can create synthetic data for training machine learning models, helping improve model performance and deal with data scarcity.
  • Content Recommendation:
    • AI algorithms can generate personalized content recommendations for users, such as product recommendations, news articles, and social media posts.
  • Game Design:
    • Generative AI can design levels, characters, and content in video games, providing endless possibilities for game developers and players.
  • Drug Discovery:
    • AI models can generate molecular structures and predict potential drug candidates, expediting the drug discovery process in pharmaceuticals.
  • Art and Creativity:
    • AI can assist or even autonomously create artworks, poetry, and other creative expressions.
  • Language Translation:
    • AI models can generate translations for various languages, improving communication across borders.

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm Incorporated is a leading American multinational semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company.

Founded in 1985, Qualcomm has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most influential technology companies, particularly in the field of mobile communication and wireless technologies.

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Government preparing to release Vision India 2047 document

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

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The Indian government is working on a comprehensive national vision plan to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.

• The plan is aimed at preventing India from falling into the middle-income trap and outlines key reforms and objectives to be achieved by 2030.

Key Highlights

• Prime Minister’s Expected Announcement:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to unveil the plan within the next three months.
  • The plan envisions making India a $30 trillion economy by 2047 with a per-capita income of $18,000-20,000.
• ‘Vision India@2047’ Plan:
  • The plan is called ‘Vision India@2047’ and has been in development for nearly two years.
  • It was presented to Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba and will undergo discussions with thought leaders, including prominent figures from the corporate world.
• Avoiding the Middle-Income Trap:
  • The plan is designed to address the concern of falling into the middle-income trap, where a country reaches a certain income level but then struggles to progress further.
  • The focus is on pushing India to the next level of development to avoid stagnation.
  • The plan aims to tackle regional disparities in economic development, ensuring that growth is more evenly distributed across different parts of India.
  • The goal is to avoid leaving certain regions behind while others advance.
• Global Presence and Leadership:
  • Despite India’s significant share of the global GDP, it lacks representation among the world’s largest banks, contractors, legal, consultancy, or accountancy firms.
  • The plan seeks to promote Indian firms to dominate various sectors, making them global leaders.
• Skill Development and Global Needs:
  • The plan prioritizes developing the necessary skill sets in India to meet global demands.
  • It highlights the demand for Indian nurses worldwide and the need for standardization in education and employment opportunities.

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Developed countries to overshoot carbon emissions goal: study

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

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Developed countries, responsible for 75% of current carbon emissions in the atmosphere, are projected to emit 38% more carbon in 2030 than their stated commitments.

• This analysis is based on current emission trajectories, highlighting a significant gap between intentions and actions.

Key Highlights

• Study by the Council for Energy Environment and Water (CEEW):
  • The study, conducted by the Delhi-based think tank CEEW, underlines that 83% of this anticipated increase in emissions is attributed to the United States, Russia, and the European Union.
• Upcoming UN Climate Summit (COP-28):
  • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will host its 28th Conference of Parties (COP-28) in Dubai in November and December.
  • During the summit, countries will be expected to report on their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline their commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Shortfall in Developed Countries’ NDCs:
  • The analysis shows that the NDCs of developed countries fall short of the global target of reducing emissions to 43% below 2019 levels, which is necessary to limit temperature increases to 1.5°C.
  • Instead, developed countries’ collective NDCs only amount to a 36% reduction.
• Historical Commitments and COVID-19 Impact:
  • Developed countries have long been expected to lead global efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through legally binding targets.
  • Past commitments included reducing emissions by 5% from 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012, and by 18% during 2013 to 2020.
  • The 20% reduction achieved during this period was not primarily a result of planned actions but was partly driven by the global economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Lack of Progress Toward Net Zero Emissions by 2050:
  • Many countries have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, a goal that requires consistent reductions in emissions each decade.
  • To limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C, developed countries must reduce emissions to 43% below their 2019 levels by 2030.
• Current Trajectories Falling Short:
  • The Council for Energy Environment and Water (CEEW) study reveals that, based on their current emissions trends, developed countries are on track to achieve only an 11% reduction in emissions by 2030, far from the 43% needed.
  • With the exception of Belarus and Norway, most developed countries are not making progress toward their 2030 targets.
  • Many developed countries appear to plan on achieving their net zero emissions targets by 2050 by making deep emission cuts only after 2030.
  • This approach appears overly ambitious given their historical track record, as it would require emissions reductions over four times greater than the annual average between 1990 and 2020.
• Shifting Responsibility to Developing Countries:
  • The lack of substantial emission reductions by developed countries shifts the burden of mitigating global warming to developing nations.
  • Developing countries argue that developed nations, which have historically contributed the most to carbon emissions, should financially support their transition away from fossil fuels.
  • There is an ongoing dispute over the speed and extent of transitioning from fossil fuels, with developing nations seeking support that has not been adequately provided as promised.
• Need for Clear and Consistent Reduction Plans:
  • The study suggests that developed countries should define year-on-year reduction plans for the critical decade leading up to 2030.
  • Building trust and remaining committed to the Paris Agreement are essential for addressing climate change effectively.

About UN Climate Summit (COP-28)

• COP-28 is part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process.
• It is a critical forum where countries review and strengthen their commitments to combat climate change.
• Location and Date:
  • COP-28 is scheduled to be held in Dubai in November and December.
  • It is the 28th edition of the conference, continuing a series of annual meetings.
• During COP meetings, countries are expected to present and discuss their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
  • NDCs outline each country’s specific goals and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
• Paris Agreement:
  • COP-28 plays a crucial role in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Note: The UNFCCC was created in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The COP is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC and meets annually to assess progress, negotiate agreements, and set the direction for global climate efforts.

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