The Transport Outlook 2023 report was recently released by International Transport Forum at Leipzig Transport Summit. It is a biennial report. Major findings The Report examines the impacts of different policy measures on global transport demand and carbon dioxide emissions to 2050. The report emphasises on crucial role that decarbonising transport sector will play in achieving SDG goals. If action to decarbonise transport is accelerated, the transport sector can reduce its CO2 emissions by about 80% over the next 25 years (compared to 2019). The efforts must include investing in public transport infrastructure, supporting the transition to transport modes with....Read More

A report titled “Thriving: Making Cities Green, Resilient, and Inclusive in a Changing Climate” was released recently by the World Bank. It highlighted the role of cities in addressing global climate challenge. MAJOR FINDINGS Number of people living in cities increased from 1.19 billion to 4.46 billion between 1970 and 2022. Cities are responsible for approximately 70%of global greenhouse gas emissions. North American cities are the largest per capita emitters, while cities in Sub-Saharan Africa remain lowest per capita emitters on average. Cities in lower-income countries account for only 14% of global urban CO2 emissions.Read More

‘Incentivising the Development of New Antibacterial Treatments 2023’ Report was recently released by World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with Global AMR R&D Hub. ABOUT ANTI-MICROBIAL RESISTANCE AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi become resistant to antimicrobial treatments to which they were previously susceptible. Reasons of increasing AMR: Improper consumption of antibiotics due to lack of awareness; Excessive use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry farming Contamination around pharmaceutical manufacturing sites releasing large amounts of active antimicrobials into the environment Major findings AMR is among top 10 global public health threats that humanity faces, associated....Read More

The report ‘The Race to Net Zero: Accelerating Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific’ was recently released by UNESCAP. According to the report, most countries in the Asia-Pacific region are “insufficiently prepared” to face extreme weather events and natural disasters. Major findings The Asia-Pacific region has experienced a faster rise in temperatures over the past 60 years than the global average. Natural and biological hazards in the Asia-Pacific region have contributed an estimated annual economic loss of $780 billion. 85% of Asia and the Pacific’s primary energy supply comes from fossil fuels, while 60% of the region’s energy-related CO2....Read More

According to World Press Freedom Index 2023, by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), India has slipped to the 161st position out of 180 countries from 150th rank last year. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka have better ranking than India. There are more than 100,000 newspapers (including 36,000 weeklies) and 380 TV news channels currently operating in the country. The World Press Freedom Index is based on five different factors that are used to calculate scores and rank countries- Political, Economic, Legislative, Social, and Security indicator. Scores are calculated for each of these indicators and used to determine....Read More

NMIS 2021-22 was undertaken by Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to evaluate innovation performance of manufacturing firms in India. This study is a follow-up of DST’s first National Innovation Survey held in 2011. It had two specific components viz. Firm-level survey: It captured data related to process of innovation, access to finance, resources, and information for innovation. Sectorial System of innovation survey: It targeted firm and non-firm actors through 5 selected sectorse., food & beverage, textiles, automotive, pharmaceutical, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Firm level survey findings were used to....Read More

World Development Report 2023 was recently released by World Bank. Report is titled “Migrants, Refugees and Societies” and proposes an integrated framework to maximize development impacts of cross-border movements on both destination and origin countries and on migrants and refugees themselves. It categorised migrants into four types – Refugees with skills in demand, economic migrants with skills that match with demand, distressed migrants and refugees. Major Findings About 184 million people across the world, including 37 million refugees lack citizenship in country in which they live. There is 120% income gain for Indians working abroad as compared to 40% income....Read More

‘Trends in World Military Expenditure’ Report 2022 was recently released by SIPRI. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is a Sweden-based independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament. Major findings Five biggest spenders in 2022 were United States, China, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for 63% of world military spending. World military expenditure rose by 3.7% in real terms in 2022, to reach a record high of $2240 billion (2.2% of global GDP). With military expenditure of $81.4 billion, India was fourth largest spender in 2022. Personnel expenses (salaries and pensions)....Read More

The State of the Global Climate 2022 report was recently released by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Annual report gives details of climate indicators such as temperatures, ocean heat, sea level rise, extreme weather etc. It complements the IPCC Sixth Assessment report. Important highlights Global mean temperature in 2022 was 1.15°C above the 1850–1900 average. Years 2015 to 2022 were eight warmest on record despite cooling impact of a La Niña event for past three years. Concentrations of three main greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – reached record highs in 2021. Overall, 58% of ocean surface experienced....Read More

India has retained 3rd spot, in the list of countries with most number of Unicorns as per Hurun Research Institute's Global Unicorn Index 2023. Edtech giant BYJU’S is the leading unicorn in India with a valuation of $22 billion, followed by food delivery and quick commerce startup Swiggy and fantasy sports platform Dream11, both worth $8 billion. Unicorn refers to a privately held startup company with a value of over $1 billion. As per the index, India (68 unicorns) added 14 new unicorns since pandemic began and stands behind USA (666) and China (316). India and China produce more offshore....Read More