Daily Current Affairs 11 November 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 11 November 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

ECI Extends Model Code Of Conduct To Re-employed Retired Officials

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies

Why in the News?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended Model Code of Conduct restrictions to retired officials re-employed by state governments to ensure political neutrality during elections.

News in Brief

• The ECI issued directions to Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where Assembly elections are expected in early 2027.
• Restrictions applicable to serving government employees under the MCC will also apply to retired officials re-employed or engaged by state governments.
• Such officials must maintain political neutrality and cannot participate in election campaigns or support any political party or candidate.
• They cannot summon election-related officers for official meetings or hold video conferences with them in constituencies or districts where elections have been announced.

Key Highlights of the ECI’s Directions

Extension of MCC Restrictions

• The ECI clarified that retired government employees engaged or re-employed by state governments must follow the same restrictions as serving government servants during the MCC period.
• This follows the absence of specific guidelines governing the political neutrality and conduct of such officials during elections.

Political Neutrality

• Government employees are prohibited from participating in political activities, election campaigns or supporting any individuals candidate or political party during elections.
• The relevant Conduct Rules in states also restrict government servants from taking part in political activities and electoral processes.

Applicability to Government-Funded Institutions

• The provisions of the MCC apply to all organizations, committees, corporations and commissions funded wholly or partially by the government.
• Their employees are also required to comply with the relevant restrictions.

Restrictions on official meetings

• Retired officials covered by the directions cannot summon election-related officers of constituencies or districts where elections have been announced for official discussions or meetings.
• They are also prohibited from holding video conferences or meetings with such officers.
• Any violation or non-compliance with the ECI’s directions will be viewed seriously.

Model Code of Conduct

The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India to regulate the conduct of political parties, candidates and governments during elections.

Key features

• It comes into effect immediately after the announcement of the election schedule.
• It seeks to ensure free and fair elections by preventing the misuse of official machinery and government resources.
• It restricts the ruling party from using its official position to gain electoral advantages.
• It regulates election campaigns, public meetings, speeches and the conduct of political parties and candidates.
• It requires government employees to maintain political neutrality during the election period.

Constitutional and legal provisions

• The MCC is not a statutory law enacted by Parliament.
• However, certain provisions can be enforced through existing laws, including the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and relevant service conduct rules.
• The Election Commission derives its authority to supervise elections from Article 324 of the Constitution.

Significance of the ECI’s Directions

• The ECI’s directions help ensure electoral neutrality by preventing retired officials from using their administrative experience or government positions to influence elections.
• They restrict undue interference in the functioning of election-related officials and promote a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.
• The move also addresses regulatory gaps by extending electoral safeguards to re-employed retired officials and reinforces institutional accountability through stricter compliance with electoral norms.

Challenges

• Effective implementation may face challenges in monitoring the activities of retired officials engaged in different government capacities.
• The absence of detailed guidelines governing their conduct can create regulatory gaps, while informal communication and indirect influence over serving officials may be difficult to detect.
• Ensuring compliance also requires effective coordination between the ECI, state administrations and election authorities.

Way Forward and Conclusion

The ECI should establish clear guidelines governing the appointment and conduct of retired government officials during elections. Stronger monitoring mechanisms, strict compliance with MCC provisions and better coordination between the ECI, state governments and district election authorities are essential to prevent political interference.

Ultimately, extending electoral restrictions to re-employed retired officials strengthens accountability and safeguards institutional neutrality. Effective implementation will be crucial to maintaining public confidence and ensuring free and fair elections.

Global CO2 Emissions From Fossil Fuels

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Why in the News?

The Global Carbon Budget study released at COP31 projects a marginal 0.4% decline in global fossil fuel CO₂ emissions in 2026.

News in Brief

• Global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels are projected to decline by 0.4% in 2026, falling from 38.4 billion tonnes in 2025 to 38.2 billion tonnes.
• India is expected to record a 4.4% increase in fossil fuel emissions in 2026, while emissions from China, the United States, the European Union and Japan are projected to decline.
• The decline in global emissions is partly attributed to supply disruptions caused by the US-Iran conflict and the growing contribution of renewable energy.
• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that overall greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, despite the projected decline in fossil fuel-related CO₂ emissions.

Decline in Global Fossil Fuels Emissions

• The Global Carbon Budget study estimates that global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will reach 38.2 billion tonnes in 2026, compared to 38.4billion tonnes in 2025.
• This represents a marginal decline of 0.4%, marking the first annual reduction since 2020.
• In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a nearly 2% decline in global fossil fuel emissions due to restrictions on industrial activity, transportation and energy consumption.
• The projected decline 2026 is partly associated with supply disruptions arising from the US-Iran conflict and the increasing contribution of renewable energy sources.

India’s Emissions Trend

• India is expected to be the only major emitting economy among those examined to record an increase in fossil fuel emissions in 2026.
• Its emissions are projected to rise by 4.4% compared to the previous year.
• This growth is higher than India’s average annual emissions growth of approximately 3.5% over the previous decade.
• In contrast, China, the United States, the European Union and Japan are expected to witness declines in their fossil fuel emissions.

Why are India’s emissions increasing?

• Rising energy demand associated with economic growth and industrial expansion.
• Continued dependence on coal and other fossil fuels for electricity generation.
• Growing transportation, infrastructure and urbanization requirements.

Why the decline may not be sustainable?

• The projected decline in emissions should not necessarily be interpreted as evidence of successful climate action.
• Previous declines in fossil fuel emissions were observed in 1974, 1981, 1992, 1998 and 2009.
• These reductions were associated with economic disruptions and changes in industrial activity, which temporarily reduced fossil fuel consumption.
• Emissions subsequently resumed their upward trajectory.
• Similarly, the expected decline in 2026 may be a short-term consequence of geopolitical and economic disruptions rather than a structural reduction in fossil fuel dependence.

Renewable Energy and Clean Technology

• The long-term reduction in emissions depends on accelerating the deployment of clean energy technologies.
• Renewable energy sources and electric vehicles are increasingly helping offset the growth in energy demand.
• However, their expansion must accelerate significantly to ensure that global emissions reach their peak and enter a sustained decline.
• A lasting reduction requires a structural transition from fossil fuels towards low-carbon energy systems.

Overall Greenhouse Gas Emissions continue to rise

• CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels represent the dominant component of global carbon emissions, but they are only one part of the broader greenhouse gas emission basket.
• Other important greenhouse gases include methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases.
• According to the WMO’s State of the Climate report, overall greenhouse gas concentrations reached new highs in 2025.
• Early indicators for 2026 suggest that greenhouse gas emissions may continue to increase.
• Therefore, a marginal decline in fossil fuel-related CO₂ emissions does not necessarily indicate a reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions.

Global Climate Targets and the 1.5 degree C Goal

• Scientific assessments indicate that global annual greenhouse gas emissions need to decline by almost half from 2019 levels by 2030 to retain a reasonable chance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• This target is closely associated with the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement.
• However, current projections suggest that even under the best-case scenario, annual emissions may decline by only around 2% by 2030.
• This highlights the significant gap between existing climate action and the emission reductions required to meet global temperature targets.

Significance of the findings

• The findings highlight the need to distinguish temporary emission reductions from sustained climate action.
• They reinforce the importance of accelerating renewable energy adoption, strengthening global climate cooperation and bridging the gap between existing commitments and the Paris Agreement goals.
• For India, the challenge is to balance economic growth and rising energy demand with climate commitments.
• They also underline the need to monitor overall greenhouse gas emissions rather than focusing only on fossil fuel-related CO2 emissions.

Challenges for India

• India faces several challenges in reducing its emissions while sustaining economic growth.
• Continued dependence on coal for electricity generation, along with rising energy demand due to industrialization, urbanization and infrastructure expansion, makes the transition difficult.
• India must also balance poverty reduction, employment generation and developmental priorities with climate commitments.
• The intermittent nature solar and wind energy creates challenges for grid stability, while limited access to affordable climate finance and advanced technologies can further slow the transition.

Way Forward and Conclusion

Addressing global emissions requires accelerating renewable energy adoption, improving energy efficiency across industries and transport, and promoting electric mobility. Efforts must also focus on reducing methane emissions, protecting natural carbon sinks such as forests and wetlands, and ensuring affordable climate finance and technology transfer to developing countries.

Ultimately, a sustained decline in emissions requires stronger global cooperation and effective implementation of climate commitments. For India, the priority is to balance economic development and energy security with environmental sustainability. A transition towards clean energy, supported by equitable climate finance and accountability, is essential to achieving the Paris Agreement temperature goals.

COP31 Antalya Climate Summit And The Challenges Of Global Climate Governance

Source: Indian Express 
GS III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Why in the News?

The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has begun in Antalya, Turkey, with climate finance, energy transition and adaptation emerging as key priorities.

News in Brief

• COP31 is being held in Antalya, Turkey, under a joint leadership arrangement involving Turkey and Australia.
• Discussions will focus on mobilizing the $1.3 trillion climate finance roadmap and ensuring adequate financial support for developing countries.
• Key priorities include transitioning away from fossil fuels, energy security, electrification, adaptation finance, the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and a just transition.
• India and other developing countries are expected to emphasize climate justice, CBDR-RC and the need for developed countries to fulfil their climate finance commitments.

What is COP?

• The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• It brings together countries that are parties to the UNFCCC to assess progress and negotiate collective responses to climate change.
• The first COP was held in Berlin in 1995.
• Major agreements emerging from the COP process include;
  • Kyoto Protocol (COP3, 1997)
  • Paris Agreement (COP21, 2015)
• The Paris Agreement requires countries to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), outlining their climate action commitments.
• Countries are expected to update their NDCs every five years, with the objective of strengthening climate ambition.

Climate finance and Support for Developing Countries

• Climate finance is expected to be one of the most contentious issues at COP31.
• Developing countries require substantial financial assistance to reduce emissions, adapt to climate impacts and strengthen climate resilience.
• Negotiations will focus on how developed countries can mobilize the proposed $1.3 trillion annual climate finance roadmap.
• A major concern is whether financial commitments will translate into actual fund disbursements.
• Countries will also discuss how adaptation finance can be measured, monitored and delivered.
• France and the Philippines are expected to work towards building consensus on existing climate finance commitments.
• Developing countries argue that climate finance should be predictable, accessible, and additional, rather than increasing their debt burden.

Transition away from fossil fuels

• The implementation of the commitment to transition away from fossil fuels is another major challenge.
• More than 80 countries have reportedly supported developing a roadmap for moving away from fossil fuels.
• However, countries differ on the pace, scope and implementation of such a transition.
• Developing countries emphasize that energy transition must consider their development requirements, energy security and historical emissions.
• The negotiations will test whether countries can agree on a common pathway without imposing disproportionate economic costs on developing economies.

Turkey’s Electrification Pledge

• Turkey has placed electrification at the centre of its climate agenda.
• The summit will examine how many countries are willing to support its specific electrification pledge, particularly the target of 35% by 2035.
• Electrification involves replacing fossil-fuel-based technologies with electricity generated increasingly from renewable and other low-carbon sources.
• It is important for decarbonizing transport, industries and other energy-intensive sectors.

Adaptation Finance and the Global Goal on Adaptation

• Adaptation finance aims to help vulnerable countries cope with climate-related risks such as floods, droughts, heatwaves and rising sea levels.
• The United Kingdom and Sierra Leone are expected to work towards a credible pathway for tripling adaptation finance and making progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).
• The discussions will also focus on developing measurable indicators to assess adaptation progress.
• The objective is to move beyond financial promises towards implementation and measurable outcomes.

Just Transition Mechanism

• Mexico and Poland are expected to discuss the proposed just transition mechanism.
• A just transition ensures that the shift towards a low-carbon economy does not disproportionately affect workers, communities and vulnerable groups.
• It includes reskilling workers, providing alternative livelihood opportunities and supporting regions dependent on fossil fuel industries.
• The mechanism will examine how financial and technical assistance can support affected communities.

Ocean and Coastal Climate Action

• Palau and Canada are expected to address the challenges of protecting oceans and marine ecosystems.
• Pacific Island countries want their commitments on ocean protection to be reflected in the final decisions.
• Discussions will focus on the role of oceans in climate regulation, biodiversity conservation and supporting vulnerable coastal communities.

Global South and Climate Justice

• Developing countries are seeking stronger commitments from developed countries on climate finance and technology transfer.
• India and other developing economies are expected to highlight the importance of Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement.
  • Under this, developed countries shall provide financial resources to assist developing countries with mitigation and adaptation.
  • Other countries are encouraged to provide support voluntarily.
  • It recognizes the importance of financial assistance in enabling developing countries to implement climate commitments.
• The negotiations will also examine the need for reforms in international climate finance arrangements.

How is COP31 different from previous COPs?

• Joint Presidency Model
  • COP31 introduces a shared leadership arrangement between Turkey and Australia.
  • Turkey is hosting the summit and handling key logistical and operational responsibilities.
  • Australia has taken responsibility for several formal negotiations, including drafting texts and managing negotiations.
  • The arrangement is intended to combine regional representation and negotiation expertise.
• Representation of the Global South
  • Turkey belongs to the Western European and Others Group within the UN regional grouping system, while Australia is part of the Western European and Others Group.
  • The joint arrangement also involves collaboration with Pacific Island nations.
  • It aims to strengthen cooperation between different regions and climate-vulnerable countries.
• Testing a New Model of Climate Presidency
  • The shared presidency is an experimental approach to managing the complex COP process.
  • Its success will depend on whether both presidencies can coordinate effectively and resolve disagreements.
  • The final test will be whether the arrangement produces consensus-based decisions and meaningful implementation.

What was decided at COP30?

COP30 was held in Belém, Brazil, and concluded with an outcome package known as the Global Mutirão, a Portuguese term referring to collective effort. Its major outcomes included;

• Adaptation Finance
  • Countries agreed to work towards at least tripling adaptation finance by 2035.
  • However, the agreement did not establish a clear baseline for measuring the increase.
• Baaku-to-Belém Roadmap
  • The roadmap outlined the objective of scaling up climate finance for developing countries to at least $1.3 trillion annually by 2035.
  • It also built on the earlier commitment to mobilize $300 billion annually by 2035 through different sources of finance, including public and private investments.
• Belém Adaptation Indicators
  • COP30 adopted a set of indicators to measure progress towards the Global Goal on Adaptation.
  • These indicators are intended to strengthen monitoring and accountability in adaptation efforts.
• Global Implementation Accelerator
  • A new mechanism, the Global Implementation Accelerator, was created to support the delivery of climate commitments.
  • It aims to accelerate implementation and strengthen international cooperation.
• Belém Mission to 1.5°C
  • The initiative seeks to help countries implement their climate plans and align their actions with the 1.5°C temperature goal.
  • It also focuses on supporting countries in implementing their NDCs.
• Fossil fuel transition debate
  • More than 80 countries supported developing a roadmap to move away from fossil fuels.
  • However, the final outcome did not include an explicit commitment to phase out fossil fuels.
  • The disagreement highlighted the counting divide between countries on the pace and nature of energy transition.
• Santa Marta Process
  • Colombia and the Netherlands initiated the Santa Marta Process as an international, plurilateral climate initiative.
  • It focuses on developing pathways for phasing out fossil fuels.
  • The process was launched in April 2026 in Santa Marta, Colombia, to advance international cooperation beyond the formal COP negotiations.

Major Challenges facing COP31

• Climate Finance Gap: Ensuring that developed countries fulfil their financial commitments and provide adequate resources to developing economies.
• Fossil Fuel Dependence: Reconciling the need for rapid decarbonisation with energy security and development requirements.
• Adaptation Accountability: Establishing clear indicators, financial baselines and monitoring mechanisms to assess adaptation progress.
• Differentiated Responsibilities: Ensuring that climate action respects the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
• Just Transition: Protecting workers, vulnerable communities and economies dependent on fossil fuels.
• Geopolitical Differences: Building consensus among countries with different economic priorities, development levels and climate vulnerabilities.
• Implementation Deficit: Addressing the gap between climate commitments and their actual implementation.

India’s Position and Concerns

• India’s approach to COP31 is likely to focus on climate equity, development needs and the fulfilment of financial obligations by developed countries.
• Key concerns include;
  • Climate Justice: Developed countries have a greater historical responsibility for accumulated greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Climate Finance: Developed countries must provide adequate, predictable and accessible finance under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement.
  • Energy Security: Developing economies require affordable and reliable energy to support economic growth and poverty reduction.
  • Technology Transfer: Access to affordable clean technologies is essential for developing countries to accelerate their energy transition.
  • CBDR-RC: Climate commitments must reflect differences in historical emissions, national circumstances and respective capabilities.
  • Just Transition: The transition towards a low-carbon economy should not compromise livelihoods, employment and inclusive development.

Way forward and Conclusion

Developed countries must fulfil their climate finance commitments through predictable and accessible funding. Countries should accelerate clean energy transition, strengthen climate adaptation and ensure a just transition through skill development and livelihood support. Greater international cooperation, technology transfer and transparent monitoring are essential to bridge the gap between climate commitments and implementation.

COP31’s success will depend on translating promises into measurable action while ensuring climate justice, energy security and the principle of CBDR-RC.

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