Context: UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) has launched the UNEP FI Impact Centre, consolidating its SDGs & Impact workstream into a dedicated centre of expertise. About UNEP FI Impact Centre: What it is? The UNEP FI Impact Centre is a specialised centre of expertise under the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) focused …
Source: UNEP Subject: International Organisation Context: The Global Environment Facility has approved US$52.8 million for four new UN Environment Programme–led projects at its 70th Council meeting. About Global Environment Facility (GEF): What it is? The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral environmental financing mechanism that provides grants and blended finance to developing countries and …
Context: A recent synthesis report by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has estimated that India needs about $102 billion annually to bridge climate adaptation and mitigation gaps in the Himalayan region amid accelerating climate risks. About India needs $100 bn to meet gap in Himalaya climate funding: What it is? The estimate emerges …
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Topic: Carbon Credit Q5. “The expansion of carbon markets raises complex questions of equity, additionality, and environmental integrity”. Explain how carbon credit mechanisms function. Analyse India’s approach to carbon markets. Also discuss the major design challenges involved. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: InsightsIAS Why the question Carbon markets have gained renewed relevance with India …
Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Q4. “South Asia’s climate destiny has shifted from multilateral dependency to regional self-determinism.” Analyse how climate solidarity can reconfigure power asymmetries. Suggest a realistic integration pathway. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: IE Why the question …
Source: IE Subject: Environment Conservation Context: India is preparing to submit its next round of climate commitments (NDCs) for the 2035 horizon even as experts call for a clearer, economy-wide transition plan. About India’s Climate Ambitions: What are NDCs? Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are each country’s self-defined climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, updated every …
Source: IE Subject: International Relations Context: The 2025 Johannesburg G20 Summit exposed a sharp geopolitical split, with the US, China and Russia absent and South Africa pushing through a declaration over US objections. About G20 Johannesburg 2025: Strong Outcomes, Weak Great-Power Commitment G20: Origin And Evolution Origin in Financial Crises: The G20 began as a …
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Source: TH Subject: Environment Context: The COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, has entered its final hours amid a major global split after the new draft outcome text removed all references to fossil fuels—including the roadmap for a transition away, demanded by over 80 countries. About COP30 Draft Outcome: What it is? The COP30 draft …
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Q6. “The credibility of the Paris Agreement ultimately rests on equitable finance, not mitigation rhetoric”. Examine the crisis in climate finance commitments. Analyse India’s interventions at COP30. Suggest reforms for a just global finance regime. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question Asked …
Source: ET Subject: Environment Context: At the COP30 Climate Summit in Belém, Brazil, the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) launched a new program — ARISE (Accelerating Resilience Investments and Innovations for Sustainable Economies) — with initial funding of $100 million from Germany and Spain About ARISE Program: What it is? ARISE is the next-generation resilience program …
Source: NIE Context: At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, India joined the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) as an Observer, welcoming it as a major step in global efforts to conserve tropical forests through innovative, market-driven finance. About the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) Initiative: What it is? The TFFF is a blended-finance mechanism aimed at …
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Syllabus: Climate and Energy Source: UNEP Context: The UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2025 titled “Off Target” warns that despite new climate pledges, the world remains on course for 2.3–2.5°C warming, far exceeding the Paris Agreement goals. About The UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2025: What it is? The 16th edition of UNEP’s annual assessment that measures …
Syllabus: Environment Source: UNEP Context: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released the Adaptation Gap Report 2025: “Running on Empty”, warning that the global finance gap for climate adaptation in developing countries has widened drastically. About UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2025: What It Is? An annual flagship publication of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that …
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Q6. Climate inequality is not merely a developmental challenge but a fiscal justice issue. Elucidate the statement. Suggest fiscal instruments to address such inequality. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question: Climate Inequality Report 2025, which highlights how wealth concentration drives emission inequality …
Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country. Q6. “Repurposing harmful agricultural subsidies could be the single biggest lever for climate adaptation”. Comment. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question: Agricultural subsidy reform with climate adaptation, a key policy debate highlighted in COP30 discussions and national fiscal realignment efforts. …
Syllabus: Environment Source: IE Context: The upcoming 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) to the UNFCCC, scheduled for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, comes amid heightened climate anxiety — the 1.5°C target slipping away, the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, and growing scepticism over multilateral climate processes. About COP30 and Global Climate Diplomacy The Evolving …
Syllabus: Ecology Source: UNEP Context: The first State of Finance for Forests (SFF) 2025 Report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights that global investments in forests must triple by 2030 to achieve climate, biodiversity, and land restoration goals. About State of Finance for Forests (SFF) 2025 Report: Trends Highlighted in the Report: Severe underfunding …
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General Studies-3; Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. Introduction The successful trial of India’s first hydrogen-powered coach at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, in July 2025 marked a landmark step in India’s sustainable transport journey. This innovation, a part of the Indian Railways’ Hydrogen for Heritage initiative, aligns with the …
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Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. Q6. “Equity and climate justice form the normative core of global climate finance”. Discuss the challenges in translating these principles into operational mechanisms under the Paris Agreement. Highlight their contemporary significance in ongoing negotiations. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question The Rome …
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. Q4. Examine the limitations of the consensus-based decision-making model under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Why has it failed to ensure timely and effective climate action? Suggest reforms to democratise global climate negotiations. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: IE Why …
