Daily Current Affairs 14 September 2023 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 14 September 2023 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Challenges to Biofuels in India

Source for Challenges to Biofuels in India: The Hindu
GS III: Environment

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. What are BioFuels?
3. Challenges to Biofuels in India

Why in the News?

Recently concluded G20 summit where India initiated Global Biofuel Alliance.

News in Brief

• This summit is expected to strengthen the development of sustainable biofuels.
• Biofuels can be used in existing ICE engines and infrastructure with little to no modifications (depending on the blending rates) and offer import independence.
• Still there are some Challenges of Biofuel Sustainability.

What are BioFuels?

• Biofuels are a category of renewable fuels derived from organic materials or biomass.
• They are considered an alternative to fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel, and they are produced from a variety of renewable sources.
• Biofuels are considered environmentally friendly because they typically produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions when burned compared to traditional fossil fuels.

There are two primary types of biofuels

1. Bioethanol:
   • Source: Bioethanol is primarily produced from crops rich in sugars or starches, such as sugarcane, corn, wheat, and sorghum. These crops are fermented to produce ethanol.
   • Production Process: The production process typically involves fermenting the sugars in the crop with yeast to convert them into ethanol. It can also be produced from cellulosic biomass, which includes agricultural and forestry residues.
   • Use: Bioethanol is commonly used as an additive in gasoline (E10, E15, or E85), where it reduces the carbon footprint of gasoline and enhances octane levels.
2. Biodiesel:
   • Source: Biodiesel is primarily derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking oils. Common feedstocks include soybean oil, canola oil, palm oil, and used frying oils.
   • Production Process: Biodiesel is produced through a chemical process called transesterification, which involves reacting the feedstock (vegetable oil or animal fat) with an alcohol, typically methanol or ethanol, to produce biodiesel and glycerin.
   • Use: Biodiesel can be used as a direct substitute for diesel fuel (B100) or blended with petroleum diesel in various proportions (B5, B20) to reduce emissions and improve lubricity.

Challenges to Biofuels in India

• As biofuel is a blanket term used for both sustainable and unsustainable fuels it’s important to have an understanding of it to have effective decarbonisation action.
• Indian policy of achieving 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2025-26 are mostly relying on the 1^st generation biofuels.
• It is primarily made from sugar cane and food grains.

Common Challenges

• Land Use and Food vs. Fuel Debate: The large-scale production of biofuels can compete with food production and may lead to concerns about food security and land use changes.
• Energy Intensity of Production: The energy required to produce biofuels, especially from certain feedstocks, can offset some of their environmental benefits.
• Biodiversity Impacts: Large-scale monoculture farming for biofuel feedstocks can have negative impacts on biodiversity.
• Competition with Forests: The expansion of biofuel crops, especially palm oil, has been associated with deforestation and habitat destruction in some regions.

1^st generation biofuels and issue of sustainability

• Because crops like sugarcane primarily rely on water, groundwater levels are being depleted.
• According to a paper from the University of Michigan, groundwater depletion might quadruple between 2040 and ’81.
• Growing crops for energy or diverting crop surpluses to energy production may not be sustainable methods.
• Yields are anticipated to decrease due to India’s stagnant agricultural output and the threat of global warming.
• The food security of the expanding population would face difficulties if yields were to decline.
• There would be no net advantage from increasing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from agriculture to lower GHG from motor vehicle emissions.

Importance of Global Biofuel Alliance

• Sustainable biofuels are produced from crop residues and other wastes with low water and GHG footprint.
• G-20 summit and Global Biofuel Alliance that was formed during this summit in New Delhi acted as a historic moment for India for its commitment towards sustainable formation of biofuels with global cooperation.
• The Global Biofuels Alliance could help drive innovation and technology development in establishing an efficient biomass supply chain decentralised biofuel production units.
• Energy Transitions Commission reported in ‘Bioresources within a Net-Zero Emissions Economy’, highlighted that biomass should be prioritised in sectors where there are limited low-carbon alternatives.
• As per the International Energy Agency, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the world has to shift to sustainable biofuel production and triple its production by 2030.
• 2G ethanol could act as a sustainable fuel if its production is decentralised, which means crop residues do not have to be transported large distances to a central manufacturing plant. But this might affect achieving economies of scale for the 2G plant.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Source: The Hindu
GS III: Environment

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. What is CBAM?

Why in the News?

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal assured that the government will take all necessary steps to protect Indian industry from any adverse impact of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

News in Brief

• The Minister’s remarks assume significance as the CBAM framework involves onerous reporting requirements for cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, and electricity imports in the region, to start with, with additional import levies to be imposed on such carbon-intensive products from 2026.
• Experts reckon Indian steel exports to Europe, for instance, could take the biggest hit from the CBAM due to the more carbon-intensive nature of production processes vis-à-vis rivals like China and South Korea.

What is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?

• The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism(CBAM) is a carbon tariff on carbon-intensive products.
• This mechanism was invented by the European Union.
• CBAM is part of the Fit for 55 in 2030 package.
  • EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Aims at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
• CBAM would address the carbon emission problem that is emitted during the production of goods.
• This mechanism imposes duties and tariffs on such carbon-intensive products.
• CBAM framework involves reporting iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, and electricity imports in the region, regarding carbon emission while producing it. To start with, additional import levies are to be imposed on such carbon-intensive products from 2026.

Key Facts on CABM

• Carbon Pricing
  • CBAM involves imposing a carbon price or a carbon tax on certain imported goods based on the carbon emissions associated with their production.
  • This carbon price is intended to reflect the emissions that occurred during the manufacturing process in the exporting country.
• Leveling the Playing Field
  • By subjecting imported goods to a carbon price, CBAM aims to create a level playing field for domestic industries that are already subject to carbon pricing mechanisms and emissions reduction targets.
  • This prevents unfair competition where foreign producers can offer cheaper goods due to lower environmental standards.
• Emission Reduction Incentive
  • CBAM can serve as an incentive for foreign industries to reduce their carbon emissions.
  • To avoid paying higher import costs due to the carbon tax, foreign producers may invest in cleaner technologies and practices.
• Revenue Generation
  • The revenue generated from the carbon taxes on imported goods can be used by the importing country for various purposes.
  • This including funding renewable energy projects, supporting domestic industries in transitioning to cleaner technologies or providing financial assistance to low-income households.
• Environmental Goals
  • CBAM aligns with a country’s environmental and climate goals by encouraging emissions reductions not only domestically but also in the countries from which goods are imported.

How Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism impact India?

• Trade Impact
  • If the CBAM is designed to impose carbon tariffs on imports based on their carbon emissions, it could affect Indian exports to countries implementing CBAM.
  • Industries with high carbon emissions, such as steel and cement, may face higher costs to access foreign markets.
• Competitiveness
  • Indian industries that are less carbon-efficient or rely heavily on fossil fuels for production.
  • It may find it more challenging to compete in international markets, especially if CBAM raises the cost of their exports.
• Policy Response
  • India may respond to CBAM by implementing its own carbon pricing mechanisms or by accelerating its efforts to transition to cleaner and more sustainable industrial practices.
  • This could include incentives for renewable energy, energy efficiency measures, and emissions reduction targets.

Operation Polo by Indian Army

Source: Indian Express
Prelims

Overview

1. About Operation Polo

Why in the News?

On this day 75 years ago, the Indian Army launched Operation Polo, the military action to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad with the Indian Union.

About

• Operation Polo was the code name given for the September 1948 police action against Hyderabad state by the then-independent Dominion of India.
• It was a military operation in which the Indian armed forces annexed the Nizam-ruled princely state.
• India, on the instructions of Home Minister Sardar Patel, did the operation in Hyderabad.
• The operation was started on September 13, 1948, and completed on day 5, September 17.
• Sardar Patel had major doubts about the Nizam of Hyderabad’s intentions due to the state’s location.
• Hyderabad state was in the heart of India, surrounded by land.
• The Nizam was not interested in forging connections with India, which implied he had other ideas in mind.
• As a result, Sardar Patel put up an inquiry team to find out what the Nizam was up to. i.e. Hyderabad was friendly with Pakistan yet opposed to India.
• On 18 September 1948, Operation Polo was terminated after the Indian Army accepted the surrender of the Nizam of Hyderabad’s army.

The areas liberated

• The state of Hyderabad under the Nizam included:
  • the whole of current-day Telangana,
  • the Marathwada region in Maharashtra included the districts of Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad and Parbhani.
  • Districts of Kalaburagi, Bellary, Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, Vijayanagara and Bidar in current day Karnataka.
• The state governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka officially observe September 17 as the Liberation Day.

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