Year-end Review | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change - Part 2

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Schemes/initiatives for Sustainable development

Circular Economy & Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework

• MoEFCC has notified regulatory framework for Circular Economy in various waste streams.
• The producers have been mandated to get the end-of-life wastes recycled under extended producer responsibility regime.
• EPR rules have been notified for:
  • Plastic waste,
  • Tyre waste,
  • Battery waste,
  • Used oil waste and e-waste.
• Further, EPR framework for scrap metals, end of life vehicles, solid waste and liquid waste, construction and demolition waste are under active consideration.
• The EPR framework will not only enhance the circularity in economy but also help manage the wastes in environmentally sound manner.

A robust recycling industry would come up with employment potential of several lakhs with contribution to the economy.

Eco-mark Scheme

• The scheme seeks to ensure accurate labelling and prevent misleading information about products.
• In alignment with the 'LiFE' (Lifestyle for Environment), MoEFCC has notified the Eco-mark Rules on 26^th September, 2024, which replaces the Eco-mark scheme of 1991.
• The scheme will encourage the demand for environment-friendly products aligning with the principles of 'LiFE’, promote lower energy consumption, resource efficiency and circular economy.

Sustainable Coastal Management

• Beach cleaning drive – Under the ambit of ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ Campaign, beach cleaning drive was organised at 22 beaches spread across coastal States/UTs in collaboration with respective State Governments/UT.
• Mangrove Zonation atlas – Digital copy of Mangrove Zonation atlas was released by the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 4.9.2024.
• Blue Flag Certification – 13 beaches across 6 States and 3 Union Territories have been certified with Blue Flag Certification for the season 2024-2025.
• Adaptive Management Plan – for externally aided Enhancing Coastal Resilience of Indian Coastal Communities (ECRICC) project by Green Climate Fund has been prepared.

Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)

• Mission LiFE is a global initiative launched by India in October, 2022.
• Aim – Fostering sustainable lifestyles through mindful and deliberate consumption to protect the environment.
• Mission LiFE encourages individuals and communities to adopt eco-friendly behaviours.
• The initiative focuses on 7 core themes:
  1. Saving water
  2. Conserving energy
  3. Reducing waste
  4. Managing e-waste
  5. Eliminating single-use plastics
  6. Promoting sustainable food systems
  7. Adopting healthy lifestyles
• Mission LiFE has been included, as a non-quantifiable indicators under Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

10 Year Framework Programme (10YFP)

• India secured a position as Board Member on the Board of 10-Year Framework of Programmes for sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• The 10YFP is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as reflected in Sustainable Development Goal 12 on "Responsible Consumption and Production”.
• SDG 12 serves as a framework of reference for decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation.

3rd Voice of Global South Summit

• India hosted the 3^rd Voice of Global South Summit on 17th August, 2024.
• Theme – “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future”.
• India emphasized the countries of the Global South to unite, stand together with one voice and become one another's strength.
• India emphasized the importance of encouraging sustainable consumption and production patterns, promoting sustainable lifestyles, reducing waste, and fostering a culture of conservation.
• The participants also reaffirmed the principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).

Achievements

• In Carbon Markets – India has notified the National Designated Authority for the Implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (NDAIAPA) with Secretary of MoEFCC as the Chairperson.
• India has announced the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) on June 28, 2023, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 (Amendment, 2022), with the aim of establishing India's carbon market.
• National Steering Committee for Indian Carbon Market (NSC-ICM) has been formed under CCTS to oversee the Indian Carbon Market (ICM).
  • The Secretary, MoEFCC and Secretary, MoP are chairing the NSC-ICM.
• In Biodiversity – On the advice of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), few tiger reserves have been notified, taking the number of tiger reserves in the country to 57. The notified tiger reserves are:
  • Guru Ghasidas-Tamo Pingla Tiger Reserve.
  • Ratapani Tiger reserve.
  • Madhav National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
• As compared to assessment of 2021, there is an increase of 1445 sq km in the forest and tree cover of the country.
• As compared to the last assessment done in 2021 there is an increase of 5,227 sq km in bamboo area.

References

1. PIB | Year-end review