Environmental Issues in India — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
India's Green Credit Programme Gains Traction, Focus on Water Conservation
October 2024The Green Credit Programme (GCP), launched in October 2023, is gaining momentum with several states initiating projects focused on water conservation and afforestation. This market-based mechanism incentivizes voluntary environmental actions, allowing individuals and entities to generate 'Green Credits' for activities like water harvesting, wastewater treatment, and tree planting. The credits can then be traded on a dedicated platform. This development is crucial for UPSC as it represents a novel approach to environmental governance, moving beyond traditional command-and-control regulations towards a more participatory and economic incentive-driven model. Its success will depend on robust monitoring, verification, and the development of a liquid market for these credits. It directly links to India's commitment to sustainable development and climate action.
UPSC Angle: Analyze the effectiveness of market-based instruments like GCP in achieving environmental goals. Discuss its potential and challenges in the Indian context, linking to sustainable development and environmental economics (GS-III).
New Guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Tyres and Batteries Released
January 2025The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is expected to release updated and more stringent guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for specific waste streams like tyres and batteries. Building on the success and lessons from EPR for plastic packaging and e-waste, these new rules aim to hold producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, from manufacturing to end-of-life disposal. This move is critical for tackling the growing problem of hazardous waste and promoting a circular economy. It will mandate collection targets, recycling infrastructure development, and reporting mechanisms for manufacturers. The expansion of EPR to new categories signifies India's commitment to comprehensive waste management strategies.
UPSC Angle: Examine the role of EPR in addressing India's waste management crisis. Discuss its benefits, challenges in implementation, and how it promotes circular economy principles (GS-III, GS-II).