8th JULY 2023 CURRENT AFFAIR
1.Central Pollution Control Board
2.Farmer-producer organisations
3.Green Credit Programme
4.SDR
5.Green Hydrogen
1. Central Pollution Control Board
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory organization in India that works under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It was established in 1974 with the objective of promoting and enforcing pollution control measures in the country.
The CPCB plays a crucial role in monitoring and preventing pollution by formulating policies, guidelines, and standards for various sources of pollution. Its primary responsibilities include:
1. Setting and enforcing national standards for ambient air quality, water quality, and noise pollution.
2. Monitoring and assessing pollution levels in air, water, and soil through a network of monitoring stations across the country.
3. Conducting research and studies to understand the causes and effects of pollution and developing strategies for pollution control.
4. Providing technical assistance and guidance to state pollution control boards and other pollution control agencies.
5. Promoting pollution prevention and control technologies and practices.
6. Creating awareness and conducting educational programs on environmental pollution and its impact on public health.
7. Coordinating with international agencies and participating in global initiatives for environmental protection.
The CPCB plays a vital role in addressing environmental challenges and ensuring sustainable development in India. It collaborates with various stakeholders, including government bodies, industries, NGOs, and the public, to achieve its objectives of pollution control and environmental preservation.
2. Farmer-producer organisations
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are entities formed by farmers, usually in the form of cooperatives or self-help groups, to collectively engage in agricultural production, processing, and marketing activities. FPOs aim to improve the bargaining power of farmers, enhance their income, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Here are some key points about Farmer Producer Organizations:
1. Formation: FPOs are formed by a group of farmers who come together voluntarily. They can register as a cooperative society, producer company, or any other legal entity recognized by the government.
2. Collective Decision-Making: FPOs promote democratic decision-making, where farmers have equal participation and voting rights. Decisions related to crop selection, input procurement, marketing, and pricing are taken collectively by the members.
3. Pooling of Resources: FPOs enable farmers to pool their resources such as land, labor, capital, and machinery. This collective approach helps in achieving economies of scale, reducing costs, and increasing productivity.
4. Access to Inputs and Services: FPOs facilitate access to agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and modern farming techniques. They also provide extension services, training programs, and access to credit and insurance facilities.
5. Value Addition and Processing: FPOs promote value addition by facilitating processing, packaging, and branding of agricultural produce. This helps farmers in fetching better prices and accessing higher-value markets.
6. Market Linkages: FPOs play a crucial role in market linkages by establishing direct connections between farmers and buyers, eliminating intermediaries, and ensuring fair prices for farmers’ produce. They also explore domestic and international market opportunities.
7. Capacity Building: FPOs focus on capacity building of farmers by providing training on modern agricultural practices, quality control, post-harvest management, and business development. This enhances the skills and knowledge of farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions.
3. Green Credit Programme
Green Credit Programme is a financial initiative aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable practices and projects. The Green Credit Programme encourages banks and financial institutions to provide loans and credit facilities to businesses and individuals engaged in environmentally friendly activities.
About the Green Credit Programme:
1. Objective: The primary objective of the Green Credit Programme is to channel financial resources towards green and sustainable projects. It aims to support initiatives that contribute to environmental conservation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, sustainable agriculture, and other environmentally friendly practices.
2. Eligible Sectors: The programme covers various sectors such as renewable energy projects (solar, wind, hydropower, etc.), energy-efficient technologies, organic farming, sustainable forestry, eco-tourism, waste management systems, green infrastructure, and eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
3. Financial Institutions’ Role: Banks and financial institutions play a vital role in the Green Credit Programme. They are encouraged to develop specific loan products, credit lines, and financing schemes dedicated to green projects. These financial institutions assess the environmental viability and sustainability aspects of the projects before providing loans or credit.
4. Incentives: The Green Credit Programme may provide certain incentives to both borrowers and lenders. These incentives can include preferential interest rates, extended repayment periods, reduced collateral requirements, and financial assistance for project feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments.
5. Monitoring and Reporting: To ensure the effectiveness of the programme, monitoring and reporting mechanisms are put in place. Financial institutions are required to track the disbursement of green loans and report on the environmental impact and sustainability of the supported projects.
6. Government Support: Governments often play a supportive role in the Green Credit Programme by providing policy frameworks, guidelines, and regulatory incentives. They may offer tax incentives, grants, subsidies, or other financial support to encourage financial institutions and borrowers to participate in the programme.
7. Environmental Impact: The Green Credit Programme aims to contribute to sustainable development by promoting environmentally friendly practices and reducing the ecological footprint of businesses and individuals. It supports projects that mitigate climate change, conserve natural resources, and promote a transition towards a low-carbon and sustainable economy.
4. SDR
SDR stands for Special Drawing Rights . It is an international reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to supplement member countries’ official reserves. Here are some key points about SDR:
1. Creation: SDR was created by the IMF in 1969 as a new international reserve asset to address the limitations of traditional reserve assets such as gold and currencies.
2. Basket of Currencies: SDR is defined as a basket of major international currencies, including the US dollar, euro, Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, and British pound sterling. The weights of these currencies in the SDR basket are periodically reviewed and adjusted.
3. Unit of Account: SDR serves as a unit of account or measurement for the value of other currencies and assets. It provides a common denominator for determining exchange rates and calculating the value of international transactions.
4. Valuation: The value of SDR is determined based on the weighted average exchange rates of the currencies in the basket. The IMF publishes the daily and periodic SDR valuation rates.
5. Allocation: SDRs are allocated by the IMF to its member countries in proportion to their IMF quotas. These allocations are made to supplement countries’ reserves and provide liquidity support during balance of payments difficulties.
6. Use: SDRs can be used by member countries for various purposes, including settling international transactions, diversifying reserves, and strengthening liquidity positions. However, SDRs are not widely used as a medium of exchange in day-to-day transactions.
7. Interest and Charges: The IMF charges interest on SDR holdings by member countries and pays interest to countries with positive SDR balances. The interest rate on SDRs is determined by a weighted average of short-term interest rates in the money markets of the SDR basket currencies.
8. Role in Crisis Situations: SDRs can play a role in addressing liquidity needs and stabilizing global financial markets during times of crisis. They can provide additional resources to countries facing balance of payments difficulties or currency shortages.
SDR serves as a supplementary reserve asset that complements existing reserve holdings of member countries. It promotes international monetary cooperation, facilitates global liquidity management, and contributes to the stability of the international monetary system.
5.Green Hydrogen
Green Hydrogen refers to hydrogen gas that is produced using renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power, through a process called electrolysis. Unlike traditional hydrogen production methods that rely on fossil fuels, green hydrogen is produced without emitting greenhouse gases or pollutants.
About Green Hydrogen:
1. Production: Green Hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water, where an electric current is passed through water to separate hydrogen and oxygen molecules. The electricity used in this process is generated from renewable sources, making it a clean and sustainable method of hydrogen production.
2. Renewable Energy Source: Green Hydrogen utilizes renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power, to generate the electricity needed for electrolysis. This ensures that the production process is carbon-neutral and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
3. Environmental Benefits: Green Hydrogen production emits no greenhouse gases or pollutants, making it a clean and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional hydrogen production methods. It contributes to reducing carbon emissions and helps combat climate change.
4. Energy Storage: Green Hydrogen can be used as an energy storage solution. Excess renewable energy generated during periods of high production can be converted into hydrogen and stored for later use. This stored hydrogen can then be converted back into electricity when energy demand is high or renewable energy supply is limited.
5. Versatile Applications: Green Hydrogen has a wide range of applications. It can be used as a clean fuel for transportation, powering fuel cells in vehicles, buses, trains, and even aircraft. It can also be used in industrial processes, as a feedstock for chemical production, and in energy-intensive sectors like steel and cement production.
6. Energy Transition: Green Hydrogen plays a crucial role in the global energy transition towards a low-carbon economy. It offers a pathway to decarbonize sectors that are challenging to electrify directly, such as heavy industry and long-haul transportation.
7. Research and Development: The development of Green Hydrogen technologies and infrastructure is an area of active research and development.