THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 21 october 2019 (Greening the powerhouses (The Hindu))

Greening the powerhouses (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2: Governance
Prelims level: C40 summit
Mains level: Urbanisation

Context

Recently, the C40 Cities initiative was held in Copenhagen wherein the heads (Mayors) of the cities of the world met to discuss issues related to integrating climate change in the policy decision with respect to infrastructure, etc. of the cities.
In this context, it is necessary to understand the issues faced by the cities, the initiatives of various cities and the way forward.

Key issues

Nearly 90% of urban areas are at high risk from extreme climate events such as storms because they are situated along coastlines.
Annually, about 70 million people will be drawn to cities and towns for the next three decades, according to the special report on global warming of 1.5°C issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change last year.

Initiatives of different cities and companies:

Toronto and Berlin - Expensive plans to retrofit buildings for energy efficiency and shift their transport infrastructure to greener options.
Montreal - Moving city logistics to electric vehicles.
Rome - An aggressive plan to ban diesel emissions, encourage sustainable shared mobility including biking and walking, and pursue a green new deal.
China’s Hangzhou - Largest public bicyclesharing system and is moving to a smart bus service.
Hong Kong - Harvest super typhoons in new drainage tunnels that will reuse rainwater and grow biodiversity.
Singapore - Price on carbon emissions.
Novo Nordisk, a healthcare company - Wants to partner with mayors on its Cities Changing Diabetes programme to “bend the curve” on the public health challenge through better facilities for biking, walking and urban mobility.
Kolkata - Bagged an award for green mobility at the summit

Way forward

Heads (Mayors) of cities worldwide and State governments in India must prepare for difficult times with action plans for urban centres.
All planning must be climate-centric as most of the infrastructure stands built unlike the cities around the globe.
India’s Environment Ministry should have helped States come up with citylevel action plans since the country lacks empowered mayors after the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement

Conclusion

Thus determined policies can restore the power of the commons: through inclusive and green urban spaces, sustainable mobility protected water sources and a reduction of waste — all of which will sharply reduce carbon emissions in a growing economy.
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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019, consider the following statements:
1. It amends the definition of “major airport” as any airport which has annual passenger traffic of over 35 lakhs instead of existing 15 lakh.
2. Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) would determine tariff structures in the case of privatised airports.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. None