1

Summary

Environment Class 18

## THE CLASS STARTED WITH A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS TOPICS (05:14 PM)

## TIMELINE OF VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS/INITIATIVES (05:13 PM)

- **1987:** **Brundtland Report:** Title- **'Our Common Future'** was published.
- It mentioned about the Sustainable development.
- **1988:** In this year the **IPCC** Came into existence.
- **1989:** **Basel Convention** came into existence.
- It is the convention to control the **'Transboundary movement of hazardous waste'**
- Prior consent approval regulates any kind of transboundary movement of hazardous waste.
- It doesn't cover the radioactive waste.
- **1992**: **Rio Earth Summit**, During this summit following developments came up:
- UNFCCC
- UNCCD
- UNCBD
- **1997**: **Kyoto Protocol.**
- **1998: Rotterdam Convention:**
- It is an international convention covering the trade of hazardous chemicals.
- It aims to facilitate information exchange and provides for decision-making during the import of hazardous chemicals and it covers those pesticides and industrial chemicals that are banned or restricted.
- It follows the **Prior Informed Consent Procedure,** and it is **legally binding.**
- **2000**: **Cartegena Protocol:**
- It is protocol on Biosafety.
- It is part of UNCBD
- **2001**: **Stockholm Convention:**
- It came in order to regulate the compounds which are '**Persistent Organic Pollutants'**.
- POPs are organic compounds that are resistant to degradation, they are capable of long-range transfer, bioaccumulation and biomagnification.
- It released a list of 12 POPs, known as **'Dirty Dozen'** to be phased out.
- Pesticides like **'DDT'** as well as **'Endrin'** were among them.
- **2002**: **Johannesburg Conference (Rio+10 Conference)**
- **2012: Rio Conference (Rio+20 Summit)**
- **2013:** **Minamata Convention:**
- It aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions of **Mercury**.
- It aims to reduce mercury pollution from targeted activities.
- **2015: Paris Agreement.**

## INITIATIVES TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE (05:44 PM)

- **1988**: **IPCC** was established to check the extent of climate change.
- IPCC was established jointly by **UNEP** and **WMO** to provide scientific information to develop climate policies.
- IPCC releases '**Assessment Reports(AR)'**
- AR1 came in 1990, In this report IPCC said that climate change is happening along it also mentioned that around 95% cause of climate change is human-induced activities.
- The latest report is **AR6(2021-22).**
- It was awarded the **Nobel Peace Prize** in 2007.
- The longest-serving Chairperson of IPCC was Indian **R.K. Pachauri.**
- **1992:** **Rio Earth Summit.**
- **1994:** **UNFCCC** came into force.
- **The parties to UNFCCC are categorized into 4 groups:**
- |  |  |  |  |
  | --- | --- | --- | --- |
  | **OECD Countries (Annex-1 Countries)** | **Economies in Transition (Second World) (Annex-1 Countries)** | **Developing Countries** **(Non Annex-1 Countries)** | **Less Developed Countries** |
  | Mostly Developed Countries | These countries were in need of some support for climate change mitigation efforts | The Non-Annex countries don't have specific targets to achieve in terms of emissions reductions, etc. | The Non-Annex countries don't have specific targets to achieve in terms of emissions reductions, etc |
  | The Annex-1 countries will have some targets to achieve in terms of emissions reductions, etc. | The Annex-1 countries will have some targets to achieve in terms of emissions reductions, etc. |  | . |
  | Later on, these are called **Annex II** Countries. |  |  |  |
- **1995**: **COP 1** was held in **Berlin**.
- **1997**: **COP 3** held in **Kyoto.**
- **Kroto Protocol** came into existence in this COP.
- **Kyoto Protocol:**
- The GHGs were targeted like HFC, and PF6 to be reduced.
- **Annex-I** countries to have specific targets.
- No Specific targets for non-annex countries.
- It came into force in 2005, and five years of commitment targets were given.
- Emission Reduction Targets were given to each of the **Annex-I Countries**.
- **Kroto Mechanisms also known as Flexible mechanisms like:**
- **1) Joint Implementation:**
- Where two Annex-I countries invest together in emission reduction projects.
- **2) Clean Development Mechanisms:**
- It involves Annex-I countries meeting their emission targets through projects in Non-Annex-I countries.
- **3) Emission Trading:**
- It involves the trading of Kyoto units between different countries.
- Kyoto units refer to the amount of carbon dioxide reduced.
- **COP 8 New Delhi:**
- It was held in New Delhi and adopted the **Delhi Ministerial Declaration.**
- **The Delhi Ministerial Declaration** was about technological transfer to developing countries.
- **COP 15: Copenhegan:**
- It was held in 2009, (Copenhagen)
- The Annex-I countries were completely reluctant to fulfil the targets under the Kyoto Protocol.
- **COP 16 Cancun:**
- It agreed on the establishment of the **Green Fund** as an aid from the developed countries for developing countries.
- **Green Climate Fund:** It aims to transfer 100 Billion dollars by 2020.
- **COP 17 Durban:**
- Green Climate Fund was established.
- **COP 18 Doha:**
- The Kyoto Protocol was extended till 2020.
- **COP 21 Paris Agreement:**
- The central objective is to hold the increase in the global average temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- NDCs are the commitment of the members to reduce emissions to limit global warming.
- A mechanism of '**Global Stocktake'** (GST) was agreed to evaluate the performance of members.
- It was agreed to conduct GST once in 5 years and to participate in GST is **legally binding**.
- It entered into force in 2016 but the first meeting (CMA-1) was held in (Katowice) 2018.
- **NDCs of India:**
- ![Explained: As India strengthens its climate targets, a look at the progress so far, what’s new | Explained News - The Indian Express](https://images.indianexpress.com/2022/08/Indias-climate-targets-gfx-I.jpg?resize=600,534)
- In the Paris Agreement the NDCs need to record the NDCs in a Public Registry.
- Members shall have a common timeframe for NDCs.
- **COP 26 Glasgow:**
- More than 140 countries agreed to achieve **'Net Zero Status'**
- Most of the developed countries to achieve it by 2050, china by 2060 and India by 2070.
- Members agreed to **phase down the coal** and Phase out inefficient fossil fuels.
- **'Glassgow Breakthrough Agenda'**to accelerate the development and deployment of clean technology.
- **COP 27 Sharm el-Sheikh:**
- Discussions on Adaptation and Mitigation.
- A new funding arrangement was agreed upon for **'Loss and damage'** to assist developing countries that are vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change.
- The Countries discussed on just transition in the efforts to reduce emissions and to move away from polluting sources.
- **COP 28 Dubai:**
- An agreement that signals the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era by laying the ground for a swift, just and equitable transition, underpinned by deep emissions cuts and scaled-up finance.

## WILDLIFE: SNOW LEOPARD (07:28 PM)

- ![](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/62/2014/10/GettyImages-164854094-85c87f5.jpg)
- They are called as **'Ghost of the Mountains'**
- Snow leopards are found in the high-altitude mountainous regions of Central Asia, including the Himalayas.
- They inhabit rugged terrains at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 meters.
- There is an estimate that around 6000-7000 Snow leopards.
- **IUCN Status: Vulnerable**.
- Snow Leopards have the heavier tail.
- Snow leopards primarily prey on Ibex, Mountain goats, and other small mammals.
- Snow leopards have strong, stocky bodies adapted for climbing and navigating steep, rocky slopes.
- Their large, fur-covered paws act like natural snowshoes, providing insulation and traction in snowy environments
- It is observed in a total of 12 Countries (Bhutan, Nepal, India, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Russia)
- In India, It is observed in Jammu Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, etc
- **Conservation Efforts:**
- **Project Snow Leopard:**
- It was initiated in the year 2009.
- It is a centrally sponsored scheme.
- **Save Our Snow Leopards (SOS):**
- It is implemented by the **WWF**.
- **Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP):**
- This is an international alliance.
- The 12 snow leopard countries are members of this.

## WILDLIFE: CLOUDED LEOPARD (07:42 PM)

- ![](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/profile-clouded-leopard-neofelis-nebulosa-600nw-2185418811.jpg)
- **IUCN Status: Vulnerable.**
- They are usually found in tropical evergreen forests.
- Found mainly in North East Forests.
- It is often described as an elusive and enigmatic animal due to its secretive nature and the remote, challenging environments in which it resides.
- It is state animal of **Meghalaya**.

## WILDLIFE: FISHING CAT (07:44 PM)

- ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/b9lXd7iXKuGDfM_7n1kL7ILkMQKmsDK94N--6j7cN6LhYO5GhXpsAVzHBOt4qxU26mIHnn6YZq3oeR5d58WKlwsP5ph7hMpHqC9RyFL0QM7vbcPs9mY7bWageIC2kLU)
- **IUCN Status:** **Vulnerable**.
- It is found near Wetlands and Water bodies.
- They swim and hunt the fish.
- It is found in Sundarban, Mahanadi Delta, and Some parts of Western Ghats.
- It is '**nocturnal**' in nature.
- It is a state animal of the **West Bengal**.

## WILDLIFE: ELEPHANT (07:47 PM)

- ![](https://png.pngtree.com/background/20230605/original/pngtree-beautiful-african-elephant-drenched-in-water-watching-a-herd-picture-image_2875140.jpg)
- Elephants are called as **'Ecosystem Engineers'**
- **IUCN Status: Endangered**
- It is a highly emotional and intelligent species.
- They have strong bonds among themselves they follow **matriarchy**.
- Usually male elephants live alone.
- Average Age: around **100-120 years.**
- They have the **longest gestation period**.
- They are capable of travel very long distances.
- **There are three known species of Elephants:**
- 1) African Savanna Elephant
- 2) African Forest Elephant
- 3) Asiatic Elephant
- India have around 27,000 elephansts.
- Karnataka has the highest then Assam, Kerala, etc.
- **Conservation Initiatives/efforts:**
- **Project Elephant:**
- It is centrally sponsored scheme.
- **Objectives:**
- To ensure a viable population of elephants in their natural habitat.
- To reduce man-elephant conflict.
- To protect elephants from poaching and hunting and to ensure the welfare of captive elephants.
- There are 32 Elephant reserves in India and 10 Elephant landscapes.
- **International Efforts:**
- **Monitoring Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)**
- It was started in 2003 with the help of CITES.
- Elephant is India's national heritage animal.
- **Differences among the Elephants:**
- |  |  |  |
  | --- | --- | --- |
  | **African Savanna Elephant** | **African Forest Elephant** | **Asiatic Elephant** |
  | Tallest Elephant among these | Smallest elephant species | Tallest at the arch of back |
  | Large ears | Darker in colour | Small ears |
  | Back dips in the middle | Rounder ears and smaller mandible | The single lobe on the tip of the trunk |
  | Tusks curve upward and grow outward or away. | Found in dense forests | Two bulbous bump of the forehead |

## WILDLIFE: ONE HORN RHINO (08:04 PM)

- ![](https://www.thestatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/rhin.jpg)
- IUCN Status: **Vulnerable**.
- **Efforts:**
- **Indian Rhino Vision 2020:**
- It was implemented by **Govt. of Assam** and **WWF**.
- It was started in the year **2005**.
- **Objective**:
- To increase the Rhino population from 2000 to **3000**.
- **Natural Habitat:**
- Entire Indo-Gangetic plain.
- It is present in almost 90% of Assam(Pobitora, Kaziranga and Manas National Park) and the rest in West Bengal, Bihar and U.P.

## WILDLIFE: GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD (08:12 PM)

- ![Can There Be A Project Great Indian Bustard Like Project Tiger? Supreme Court Asks Centre](https://www.livelaw.in/h-upload/2021/04/07/750x450_391588-great-indian-bustard147550635057647x4041003160830450.jpg)
- It is **heaviest flying bird** endemic to Indian subcontinent.
- Grassland Ecosystem
- IUCN Status: **Critically Endangered.**
- Protected as Schedule-I in WPA.
- It shares the habitat with Cheetahs and Blackbuck.
- **Reasons for its declining population:**
- Poaching for Meat
- Habitat degradation.
- Collision with electric wires.
- **Areas**: Rajasthan, Some parts of Maharashtra, etc
- **Conservation Efforts:**
- Integrated Development of Habitat.
- GIB protection zones are declared.
- **Bengal Florican:**
- ![](https://cdn.download.ams.birds.cornell.edu/api/v1/asset/160186111/1800)
- It is found in Bengal and Assam marshy lands.
- **Lesser Florican**
- ![](https://wwfin.awsassets.panda.org/img/lesser_florican_59255.jpg)
- The preferred habitat is grasslands.

## TOPIC FOR THE NEXT CLASS: UNCBD, UNCCD, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ETC.