In News:

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) UpLink Annual Impact Report 2025 underscores the significant contributions of early-stage start-ups in tackling climate and sustainability challenges globally.

About UpLink:

• Launched: 2020 at Davos by WEF in collaboration with Deloitte and Salesforce.
• Objective: Open innovation platform to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by connecting entrepreneurs with experts, investors, and stakeholders.

Key Environmental and Social Impacts (2023–2024):

Category                                                                   Impact

Carbon Emissions                                                142,400 tonnes of CO? prevented (equal to emissions

                                                                         of ~30,000 cars)

Ecosystem Protection                                       140 million hectares of land and water safeguarded

Water Management                                           2.5 billion litres of hazardous wastewater treated

Waste Management                                           28 million tonnes of waste tracked

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)    2.7 million people gained improved access

Job Creation                                                             30,000+ new jobs generated

Livelihood Support                                               ~500,000 smallholder farmers and fishers experienced

                                                                           income growth

Waste Collector Empowerment                  18,000 collectors integrated into formal markets

Notable Indian Contributions:

• Indra Water: Processed 1.2 billion litres of wastewater in 2024 (243% rise from 2022).
• S4S Technologies: Reduced 60,000 tonnes of food waste — enough to feed 2.7 million people for a month.

Global Innovations Highlighted:

• EnviCore (Canada): Uses mining waste in construction to cut emissions.
• Umgrauemeio (Brazil): AI-based wildfire monitoring across 6.7 million hectares of forests.
• SHAYP: Saved 7 billion litres of water in 2024 using leakage detection; aims for 100 billion litres by 2027.
• GreenPlat (Brazil): Tracked 12.3 million tonnes more waste in 2024 than the previous year.

Investment and Innovation Trends:

• Total Funds Raised by UpLink Ventures in 2024: $633 million (up by $196 million from 2023).
• Customer Base Growth: Nearly 50% of ventures reported over 40% increase in customers.
• Circular Economy Focus: 13 ventures supported under the Traceability for Circularity Challenge to promote ethical and waste-reducing value chains.

Future Focus Areas (Planned by UpLink):

• Sustainable mining
• Carbon capture technologies
• AI-driven environmental monitoring

In News:

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its State of the Global Climate 2024 Report at COP29 (Baku), warning that global warming is dangerously close to breaching the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement.

About WMO

• Type: UN Specialized Agency
• Established: 1950
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Membership: 193 (187 Member States + 6 Territories)
• Mandate: Meteorology, operational hydrology, and geophysical sciences.
• Reports Released:
  • State of the Global Climate Report
  • Greenhouse Gas Bulletin
  • Global Water Resources Report
  • State of Climate Services Report
  • United in Science Report

Key Findings – State of Global Climate 2024

Global Temperature Rise

• Current warming: 1.34°C–1.41°C above pre-industrial levels.
• 19 of the last 20 months crossed the 1.5°C threshold temporarily.
• 2024: Warmest year in the 175-year observational record.
• Projected crossing of the 1.5°C threshold: by September 2029.

Greenhouse Gases (2023)

• CO?: 420 ppm – 151% of pre-industrial levels (highest in 800,000 years)
• CH? (Methane): 1923 ppb – 266% of pre-industrial levels
• N?O (Nitrous Oxide): 335.8 ppb – 124% of pre-industrial levels

Ocean & Cryosphere

• Ocean Heat Content: Highest in 65 years – oceans absorb 90% of global heat
• Sea Level Rise:
  • 1993–2002: 2.1 mm/year
  • 2015–2024: 4.7 mm/year (rate doubled)
• Glacier Melt:
  • 2022–2024: Largest 3-year negative mass balance on record
  • Severe loss in Norway, Sweden, Svalbard, and Andes
• Arctic Sea Ice: Record lows for 18 consecutive years
• Antarctic Sea Ice: 2nd-lowest extent ever
• Ocean Acidification:
  • Surface pH falling fastest in Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Pacific
  • Effects irreversible for centuries

Extreme Weather Events & Displacement

• 2024: Record-high displacements from climate disasters
• Cyclones, floods, and droughts worsened food and humanitarian crises
• Worst-hit regions: East Asia, Southeast Europe, West Asia, Mediterranean

Reasons Behind These Trends

• GHG Emissions: Fossil fuel combustion, industrial emissions, agriculture, and deforestation.
• El Niño Effect: Warm Pacific currents intensified 2024’s global heat.
• Urban Heat Islands: Dense cities retain heat, increasing local warming.
• Ocean Absorption: Excess atmospheric CO? and heat absorbed by oceans.

Global Climate Governance

• UNFCCC (1992): Multilateral treaty for climate action.
• Paris Agreement (2015):
  • Goal: Limit warming to below 2°C, aim for 1.5°C.
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
  • $100 billion/year climate finance pledge
• Global Methane Pledge (2021): Cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
• Global Ocean Treaty (2023): Protect 30% of oceans by 2030.
• UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030): Forest and marine recovery.
• IPCC: UN scientific body for climate assessments (doesn’t conduct research).

India’s Climate Initiatives

Targets & Strategies

• Net Zero by 2070 (COP26)
• LT-LEDS (2022): Long-term low emissions strategy
• Updated NDC (2022):
  • Reduce GDP emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 (vs. 2005)
  • 50% electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030

Renewable Energy & Alliances

• International Solar Alliance (ISA):
  • Launched with France in 2015 (COP21)
  • Aim: Mobilize $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030

Afforestation & Ecosystem Protection

• Green Credit Program (2023) – incentivizes afforestation
• Ek Ped MaaKe Naam (2024) – tree plantation campaign
• NAP, CAMPA, Forest Act 1980 – promote forest restoration
• MISHTI (2023) – Mangrove restoration (?12.55 cr in 2024–25)

Behavioral Change

• LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) – promotes sustainable consumption

Challenges to Climate Action

Sector                        Key Challenges

Energy                       High coal dependence (>50%), renewable intermittency, grid gaps, foreign tech reliance

Urbanization         Rising energy/waste demand, land use conflicts

Industry                    Hard-to-abate emissions in cement, steel, transport

Agriculture             Fossil fuel inputs, livestock methane, fertilizer N?O

Finance                     Climate finance disparities; India criticized COP29’s $300 bn/year goal as insufficient

Equity                          Developed nations emit more, but developing nations suffer more

Greenwashing      Misleading climate claims by corporates/governments

In News:

The SansadBhashini Initiative is a collaborative project between the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), launched to enhance digital and linguistic accessibility in India's parliamentary functioning.

About SansadBhashini

• Objective:To provide real-time AI-powered translation and transcription of parliamentary proceedings and documents across multiple Indian languages, ensuring greater transparency, inclusivity, and accessibility.
• Associated Platform:It is built on MeitY’sBhashini platform, a part of the National Language Translation Mission (NLTM), focused on democratizing access to digital content in Indian languages.

Key Features and Technologies Used

• AI-Powered Real-Time Translation: Enables instantaneous multilingual translation of legacy debates, legislative documents, and committee reports.
• Speech-to-Text Transcription System
  • Converts spoken parliamentary debates into text with features such as:
    • Background noise reduction
    • Customizable vocabulary suited for legislative discourse
    • High transcription accuracy
• Automatic Summarization: Generates concise and coherent summaries of long parliamentary discussions, aiding in faster decision-making and better public understanding.
• AI-Driven Chatbot Support
  • Assists MPs, researchers, and officials with quick access to:
    • Procedural rules
    • Parliamentary archives
    • Legislative documents
• Multilingual Accessibility and Inclusivity: Enhances linguistic diversity in governance by making proceedings available in multiple regional languages, thereby fostering greater public engagement.

Significance

• Strengthens e-Governance and digital democracy by making Parliament more accessible to citizens, especially non-Hindi/English speakers.
• Enhances documentation, transparency, and archiving through digitization and AI tools.
• Empowers MPs and legislative staff with real-time information and language tools, improving efficiency.
• Supports India’s Digital India mission and promotes linguistic equity in democratic institutions.

In News:

The SagarmalaProgramme, launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) in 2015, aims to revolutionize India’s maritime sector by focusing on port-led development, logistics optimization, and coastal economic growth. With a 7,500 km coastline and strategic positioning on global trade routes, India is set to leverage its maritime potential for sustainable economic development.

Key Components of the SagarmalaProgramme

• Port Modernization & New Port Development: Upgrading existing ports and constructing new ones to enhance operational capacity, reduce bottlenecks, and improve efficiency.
• Port Connectivity Enhancement: Fostering seamless multi-modal logistics, including inland waterways and coastal shipping, to optimize time and cost of cargo transportation.
• Port-Led Industrialization: Establishing industrial clusters near ports, boosting economic growth while minimizing logistics costs.
• Coastal Community Development: Focusing on the sustainable development of coastal communities, through skill development, livelihood generation, and fisheries enhancement.
• Coastal Shipping & Inland Waterways Transport: Promoting eco-friendly cargo transportation via coastal and inland waterways to alleviate road and rail congestion.

Key Achievements and Outcomes

• Project Implementation: 839 projects worth ?5.79 lakh crore have been identified, with 272 projects already completed, amounting to ?1.41 lakh crore in investments.
• Growth in Coastal Shipping: Coastal shipping has surged by 118% over the last decade, significantly reducing logistics costs and emissions.
• Increased Inland Waterway Cargo: A 700% increase in inland waterway cargo, reducing congestion on roadways and railways.
• Improved Global Maritime Standing: Nine Indian ports now rank among the world’s top 100, with Vizag among the top 20 container ports globally.

Sagarmala 2.0 and Strategic Initiatives

• Sagarmala 2.0, launched with a ?40,000 crore budgetary support, aims to position India among the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.
• It introduces a focus on shipbuilding, repair, recycling, and further port modernization, which will help India become a global maritime hub.
• The initiative targets a shipbuilding capacity of 4 million GRT and an annual port handling capacity of 10 billion metric tons.
• Additionally, the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2), launched in March 2025, seeks to promote innovation, research, and startups in the maritime sector.
• The program emphasizes green shipping, smart ports, and sustainable coastal development, providing funding, mentorship, and industry partnerships to boost technological advancement in the sector.

Funding and Project Implementation

• The SagarmalaProgramme follows a strategic and stakeholder-driven approach, involving central ministries, state governments, major ports, and other agencies.
• The funding structure utilizes a combination of public-private partnerships (PPP), internal resources of MoPSW agencies, and grant-in-aid for high-social-impact projects.
• The establishment of the Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL) facilitates equity participation in key projects.

Future Outlook and Alignment with Vision 2047

Sagarmala 2.0 and its strategic initiatives are aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV), which aims to make India a leader in global maritime affairs. By enhancing port efficiency, expanding shipbuilding capacity, and fostering innovation, these initiatives will support India's vision of a Viksit Bharat (developed India) and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) by 2047.

In News:

The Union Cabinet has approved the implementation of the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) for 2024–25 and 2025–26, with an enhanced financial outlay.

Background:

• Launched: December 2014
• Type: Central Sector Scheme under the Development Programmes
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
• Primary Aim: Conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds and enhancement of milk productivity through advanced breeding technologies.

Revised Allocation:

• Total Outlay: ?3,400 crore
• Additional Allocation: ?1,000 crore for 2024–25 and 2025–26
• Finance Commission Cycle: 15th (2021–22 to 2025–26)

Objectives of Revised RGM:

• Enhance productivity of bovines and sustainable milk production.
• Promote scientific breeding using high genetic merit (HGM) bulls.
• Expand Artificial Insemination (AI) coverage across India.
• Conserve indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds through genomic and reproductive technologies.

Key New Initiatives (2024–26):

• Heifer Rearing Centres:
  • One-time assistance of 35% of capital cost.
  • To establish 30 housing facilities with a total of 15,000 heifers.
• Interest Subvention Scheme:
  • 3% interest subsidy on loans for purchasing HGM IVF heifers.
  • Applicable to farmers borrowing from milk unions, banks, or financial institutions.

Major Achievements (as of 2023–24):

• Milk Production Increase: 63.55% rise in 10 years.
• Per Capita Milk Availability:
  • 2013–14: 307 grams/day
  • 2023–24: 471 grams/day
• Productivity Increase: 26.34% over the last decade.

Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP):

• Coverage: 605 districts with <50% baseline AI coverage.
• Animals Covered: 8.39 crore
• Farmers Benefitted: 5.21 crore
• Service: Free AI at farmer's doorstep.

Technological Interventions:

• IVF Labs: 22 labs set up across States and Universities.
• HGM Calves Born: 2,541 through IVF.
• Indigenous Technologies Developed:
  • Gau Chip &Mahish Chip: Genomic chips by NDDB & ICAR-NBAGR.
  • Gau Sort: Indian-developed sex-sorted semen technology by NDDB.

Significance:

• Strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat in livestock genomics and AI.
• Enhances livelihoods of 8.5 crore dairy farmers.
• Preserves India’s indigenous bovine biodiversity.
• Promotes scientific cattle rearing and milk self-sufficiency.