WHY IN NEWS?

The Northern Ireland protocol was designed to prevent checks across the border between Northern Ireland (US) and the Republic of Ireland (EU), following Brexit.

About:

• The Protocol came into force in the beginning of 2021.
• It has resulted into disagreements between the UK and EU as it disrupted trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• The UK government has been calling to rewrite the deal.

What was the need of Northern Ireland Protocol?

• During Brexit negotiations, all the parties agreed that protecting the 1998 Northern Ireland peace deal is an absolute priority.
• This protocol means that, keeping the land border open and avoiding setting up new infrastructure like cameras and border posts.
• This was easy to do when Ireland and Northern Ireland were part of the EU. Both the parties automatically shared the same EU rules on trade. No checks were required on goods travelling between them.
• However, in the backdrop of Brexit, new arrangement was required because EU requires goods like milk and eggs to be checked when they arrive from non-EU countries. While products like chilled meats are not allowed to enter EU at all.

Northern Ireland Protocol

• Under this protocol it was agreed that Northern Ireland will continue to follow EU rules on product standards in order to prevent checks across the border.
• Goods entering Northern Ireland from Scotland, England or Wales would be inspected.

What changes is the UK government calling for?

Boris Johnson had signed an agreement in 2019 and promised that it would not create any inspection on goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Now, the government is of the view that this protocol represented a huge compromise by the UK and accused the EU for applying it too rigidly. Thus, the Brexit Minister, Lord Frost, proposed some changes in the protocol. He has proposed a new mechanism under which goods would be able to circulate freely in Northern Ireland if they comply with either EU or UK regulations.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, the government of India has launched the ambitious Gati Shakti scheme or National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity plan, with the aim of coordinated planning and execution of infrastructure projects to bring down logistics costs.

About the Scheme

• Aim: To ensure integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure projects in the next four years, with a focus on expediting works on the ground, saving costs and creating jobs.
  • The Gati Shakti scheme will subsume the Rs 110 lakh crore National Infrastructure Pipeline that was launched in 2019.
  • Besides cutting logistics costs, the scheme is also aimed at increasing cargo handling capacity and reducing the turnaround time at ports to boost trade.
  • It also aims to have 11 industrial corridors and two new defence corridors – one in Tamil Nadu and other in Uttar Pradesh. Extending 4G connectivity to all villages is another aim. Adding 17,000 kms to the gas pipeline network is being planned.
  • It will help in fulfilling the ambitious targets set by the government for 2024-25, including expanding the length of the national highway network to 2 lakh kms, creation of more than 200 new airports, heliports and water aerodromes.
• Integrated Approach: It intends to bring together 16 infrastructure related Ministries.
  • This will help in removing long-standing issues such as disjointed planning, lack of standardisation, problems with clearances, and timely creation and utilisation of infrastructure capacities.
• Gati Shakti Digital Platform: It involves the creation of a common umbrella platform through which infrastructure projects can be planned and implemented in an efficacious manner by way of coordination between various ministries/departments on a real-time basis.

Expected Outcomes

• The scheme will help mapping the existing and proposed connectivity projects.
• Also, there will be immense clarity on how different regions and industrial hubs in the country are linked, particularly for last mile connectivity.
• A holistic and integrated transport connectivity strategy will greatly support Make in India and integrate different modes of transport.
• It will help India become the business capital of the world.

Need for Integrated Infrastructure Development:

• There exists a wide gap between macro planning and micro implementation due to the lack of coordination and advanced information sharing as departments think and work in silos.
• According to a study, the logistical cost in India is about 13% of GDP, which is higher than developed countries.
  • Due to this high logistical cost, the competitiveness of India’s exports is greatly reduced.
• It is globally accepted that the creation of quality infrastructure for Sustainable Development is a proven way, which gives rise to many economic activities and creates employment on a large scale.
• The scheme is in synergy with the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP).
  • The NMP has been announced to provide a clear framework for monetisation and give potential investors a ready list of assets to generate investment interest.

Associated Concerns

• Low Credit Off-take: Although the government had taken up ‘strong’ banking sector reforms and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code had yielded about Rs. 2.4 lakh crore of recoveries on bad loans, there are concerns about declining credit offtake trends.
  • Banks give credit off-takes to help businesses acquire financing for future projects through the promise of future income and proof of an existing market.
• Lack of Demand: In the post-Covid-19 scenario,there is a lack of private demand and investment demand.
• Structural Problems: Due to land acquisition delays and litigation issues, the rate of implementation of projects is very slow on global standards.
  • Getting approvals is very difficult in terms of land access, environmental clearances; also impending litigation in court delays the infrastructure projects.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The international environmental think tank ‘Germanwatch’ released the Global Climate Risk Index 2021.  

• This is the 16^thEdition of the Index. It is published annually.
• Germanwatch, based in Bonn and Berlin (Germany), is an independent development and environmental organisation which works for sustainable global development.

About the Index                      

• The Index analyses the extent to which countries and regions have been affected by the impacts of weather-related loss events (storms, floods, heat waves etc.).
• The impact is calculated in terms of fatalities and economic losses, both.
• The most recent data available for 2019 and from 2000 to 2019 were taken into account.
• The 2021 Index does not include data from United States of America.
• The Climate Risk Index clearly signals that repercussions of escalating climate change can no longer be ignored, on any continent or in any region.
• Impacts from extreme-weather events hit the poorest countries hardest as these are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of a hazard, have a lower coping capacity and may need more time to rebuild and recover.
• High-income countries are also getting severely impacted by climate change.

About 2021 Findings

• Mozambique, Zimbabwe as well as the Bahamas were the most affected countries in 2019.
• For the period from 2000 to 2019, Puerto Rico, Myanmar and Haiti rank highest.
• Storms and their direct implications- precipitation, floods and landslides, were one major cause of losses and damages in 2019.
• Of the ten most affected countries in 2019, six were hit by tropical cyclones. Recent science suggests that the number of severe tropical cyclones will  increase with every tenth of a degree in global average temperature rise.
• Eight out of the ten countries most affected by the quantified impacts of extreme weather events in 2019 belong to the low- to lower-middle income category. Half of them are Least Developed Countries.

India’s Position:

• India has improved its rankings from last year. It is ranked 7^thin the 2021 Index as compared to 5^th in 2020 Index.
• The Indian monsoon lasted a month longer than usual in the year 2019, with surplus rains causing major hardship.The rain was 110% of normal, which is the most since 1994.
• The floods caused by heavy rains were responsible for 1800 deaths and led to displacement of 1.8 million people.
• Overall, 11.8 million people were affected by the intense monsoon season and the economic damage caused was estimated to be US$ 10 billion.
• India was hit by a total of 8 tropical cyclones. Of which, Cyclone Fani (May, 2019) caused the maximum damage.
• The Himalayan glaciers, the coastlines, and the deserts in India have been severely affected by global warming.
• The Report also points to an increase in the number of heat waves, increased intensity and frequency of cyclones and an increased rate of melting of glaciers in India.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Ernst & Young’s (EY) Renewable Energy (RE) Country Attractiveness Index was recently published in which India has been ranked at 3^rd position.

About:

• RE Investment attractive index ranks the world’s top 40 nations with respect to the attractiveness of their deployment opportunities and renewable energy
• In the index, India retains its third position while US retains the top position.
• China has been ranked at second position.
• As per report, conditions are ripe for rapid growth across renewables generation. The major challenge will be inadequate grid investments.
• According to Index, corporate power purchase agreements were the key driver of clean energy growth in the light that, environment, social, and governance measures are becoming top agenda for companies and investors.

India’s Rank in PPA Index

Among the top 30 power purchase agreement (PPA) markets, India has been ranked at sixth position. PPA Index focuses on attractiveness of renewable power procurement. It ranks the growth potential of country’s corporate PPA market.

India’s renewable energy market

Renewable energy market conditions in India, including policy decisions, investment & technology improvements focus on self-reliant supply chains. It has taken India’s clean energy transition to new heights. Report notes that the drive to integrate volumes of variable resources will put the grid infrastructure under significant strain. It also notes that, investment required to upgrade and expand energy transmission infrastructure will be a key challenge across the world.

Which countries have transitioned towards clean energy?

France and the UK have switched to clean energy, while Germany has edged back ahead of Australia as its onshore wind market was fruitful in first half of 2021. Germany has added 971 MW, accounting for a rise of 62 per cent as compared to first half of 2020.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, the Kunming Declaration was adopted by over 100 countries at the ongoing 15^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in China.

• The adoption of the declaration will create momentum for a new global biodiversity pact.
• In a previous agreement, Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, signed in Aichi, Japan, in 2010, governments agreed on 20 targets to try to slow biodiversity loss and protect habitats by 2020.

About            

• It calls for urgent and integrated action to reflect biodiversity considerations in all sectors of the global economy but crucial issues – like funding conservation in poorer countries and committing to biodiversity-friendly supply chains have been left to discuss later.
  • It is not a binding international agreement.
• It calls upon the parties to mainstream biodiversity protection in decision-making and recognise the importance of conservation in protecting human health.
  • The theme of the declaration is Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth.
• By adopting this, the nations have committed themselves to support the development, adoption and implementation of an effective post-2020 implementation plan, a capacity building action plan for the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety.
  • The Protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.
• As per the declaration the signatory nations will ensure that the post-pandemic recovery policies, programmes and plans contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, promoting sustainable and inclusive development.

30 by 30 Target

• The declaration made a reference to the ’30 by 30′ target which is a key proposal being debated at the COP15, that would afford 30% of the Earth’s land and oceans protected status by 2030.
  • Apart from this, the goal to halve the use of chemicals in agriculture and stop creating plastic waste is also being debated.

Kunming Biodiversity Fund

• China has also pledged to inject USD 233 million into a new fund to protect biodiversity in developing countries. The fund is being referred to by China as Kunming Biodiversity Fund.
• It is the right step in this direction. However, some countries have reservations regarding this fund.
  • Some countries have called this fund as “a drop in the bucket” given that China is the world’s biggest polluter.
  • Further, some rich country donors say a new fund for conservation is unnecessary because the United Nations’ Global Environment Facility already helps developing nations finance green projects.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, the External Affairs Minister addressed the 6^th Ministerial (2021) meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures (CICA) in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

• Last year, Kazakhstan assumed the chairmanship of CICA.
• The 5^thMeeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CICA was held in Beijing in the year 2016.

About:

On Vaccine Maitri:

• India’s internationalism (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam) drives its vaccine Maitri.
• In January 2021, India launched the Vaccine Maitri (Vaccine Friendship) initiative – a major diplomatic effort to gift and supply made-in-India vaccines to low-income and developing countries globally.

On Cross Border Terrorism:

• Advised the forum to strengthen collective resolve to tackle terrorism, arms trafficking, narcotics trade, and other forms of trans-national crimes.

On Multilateralism:

• Asia especially, but also Africa and Latin America, are inadequately represented in United Nations’ (UN) decision-making.
• The limitations of the multilateral response to the Covid pandemic were starkly evident. This only makes a case for reformed multilateralism more urgent with each passing day.

On Afghanistan:

• India underscored the importance of the Taliban regime meeting the expectations of the international community as elaborated in the UN Security Council Resolution 2593.
  • The UNSC resolution 2593 unequivocally demands that Afghan territory not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing terrorist acts; and specifically refers to terrorist individuals proscribed by the UN Security Council, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

On Connectivity:

• Connectivity must respect the most basic principle of international relations-respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• An apparent reference to India’s objection to China’s ambitious infrastructure development plans in Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
  • CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Balochistan with China’s Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
  • India has protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through PoK.

About CICA

• The CICA is an intergovernmental forum aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring peace, security, and stability in Asia.
• The idea of creating the organization was first voiced by Kazakhstan’s First President Nursultan Nazarbayev in 1992 at the 47^thsession of the United Nations General Assembly, while the first CICA summit was held in June of 2002.
• The highest decision making organ of CICA is the Meeting of the CICA Heads of State and Government (Summit). The CICA Summit is convened every four years in order to conduct consultations, review the progress of, and set priorities for CICA activities.
  • The Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs is required to be held every two years.
• CICA members include 27 Asian countries, including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Russia, South Korea, and Turkey, nine observer states, and five international organizations.
• India co-chairs two CICA CBMs (Confidence Building Measures) on ‘Development of Secure and Effective Systems of Transportation Corridors,’ and ‘Energy Security’.
• The CICA Secretariat has been located in Almaty (Kazakhstan) since June 2006.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The government has incorporated new rules under the “Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021, which was passed in March 2021.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Rules, 2021

• Under the new rules, the gestational limit for termination of pregnancy has been increased from 20 to 24 weeks for exceptional categories of women in India.
• Women for whom the limit has been increased comprise of minors; survivors of sexual assault, rape or incest; those having physical disabilities and those whose marital status changes during pregnancy that is in case of widowhood or divorce.
• It also includes cases of foetal malformation where there is risk of physical or mental abnormalities, mentally ill women and women in disasters or emergency situations, declared by the government.

Background

In past, opinion of one doctor was required to carry abortion of up to twelve weeks of conception. Opinion of two doctors was required for doing the abortion between twelve and twenty weeks.

State-level medical board

• Under the new rules, state-level medical boards will be set up that will decide if a pregnancy can be terminated after 24 weeks in cases of foetal malformation.
• Boards will examine the woman & her reports and then either accept or reject the proposal for medical termination of pregnancy. This process will be completed within three days of receiving the request.
• Board will also ensure that the abortion procedure is carried with all precaution along with counselling, when advised by them. The procedure will be done within five days of receiving the request for it.

Should the rules be for all women?

Experts are of the view that, considering the advancements in scientific and medical technology, extended 24 week of gestation period should be open for all women and not just specific categories of women. They also note that, creation of state medical boards might create impediments for women’s access to abortion services

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed globally on October 13, every year.

About:       

Aim of the day

The day is observed with the aim of promoting a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction. It celebrates how people and communities across the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness regarding the importance of reining in risks that they are facing.

2021 Edition

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction provides an opportunity to acknowledge the progress made toward reducing the disaster risk and losses in lives, health and livelihoods. 2021 edition of the day will focus on international cooperation of developing countries in order to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses.

Background

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was first observed in the year 1989, after United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) called for a day to promote global culture of disaster reduction and risk-awareness. At the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015, which was held in Sendai, Japan, international community was reminded that disasters hit hardest at local level, causes loss of life and social & economic upheaval.

Disaster Risk Reduction

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) works with thinkers, experts, practitioners, and innovators, every two years, to investigate the state of risk worldwide. It highlights what’s new, spots the emerging trends, examines behaviour, reveals disturbing patterns and presents progress in reducing risk.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The 28^th anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was observed on 12^th October 2021.

About           

• It is a watchdog of human rights in the country, i.e. the rights related to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Indian Constitution or embodied in the international covenants and enforceable by courts in India.

Establishment

• Established on 12^thOctober, 1993, under Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993. It was amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006 and Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019
• It was established in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted for the promotion and protection of human rights in Paris (October, 1991) and endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December, 1993.

Composition

Key Members

• It is a multi-member body consisting of a chairman and four members. A person who has been the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court is a chairman.

Appointment

• The chairman and members are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of the Prime Minister as its head, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament and the Union Home Minister.

Tenure

• The chairman and members hold office for a term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
• The President can remove the chairman or any member from the office under some circumstances.

Role and Function

• It has all the powers of a civil court and its proceedings have a judicial character.
• It is empowered to utilise the services of any officer or investigation agency of the Central Government or any state government for the purpose of investigating complaints of human rights violations.
• It can look into a matter within one year of its occurrence, i.e the Commission is not empowered to inquire into any matter after the expiry of one year from the date on which the act constituting a violation of human rights is alleged to have been committed.
• The functions of the commission are mainly recommendatory in nature.
  • It has no power to punish the violators of human rights, nor to award any relief including monetary relief to the victim.
• It has a limited role, powers and jurisdiction with respect to the violation of human rights by the members of the armed forces.
• It is not empowered to act when human rights violations through private parties take place.

WHY IN NEWS?

• The Indian Railways has launched two long haul freight trains “Trishul” and “Garuda” — which are twice or multiple times longer than the normal composition of freight trains. These long haul trains provide a very effective solution to the problem of capacity constraints in critical sections.
• These trains are twice or multiple times longer than the normal composition of freight trains and provide a very effective solution to the problem of capacity constraints in critical sections.