Avoid – Shift – Improve (ASI) Framework
World Bank Group in its report titled ‘Decarbonizing Urban Transport for Development’ recommended the ASI framework to decarbonize urban mass transport.
- Avoid: Promote access with fewer or shorter trips to address overall demand for transport activity.
- Shift: Promote a SHIFT of passenger or freight trips from more carbon-intensive modes to less carbon-intensive modes.
- Improve: Improve efficiency and quality of vehicles, operations, and fuels
Breakthrough Agenda Report 2023
Breakthrough Agenda Report 2023 was released recently.
- It is an annual progress report, requested at UN Climate Change Conference COP26 2021 as part of launch of the Breakthrough Agenda.
- Jointly released by – International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency, and UN Climate Change High-Level Champions.
- Breakthrough Agenda is an action plan that aims to align actions and coordinate investment across 5 key sectors viz. Power, Road transport, Steel, Hydrogen, and Agriculture.
Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award
Ms Waheeda Rehman will be honoured with 53rd Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for year 2021.
- It is India’s highest award in the field of cinema presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals (under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.)
- Award was first introduced in 1969 and was bagged by actress Devika Rani.
- Award is given to commemorate Dadasaheb Phalke’s contribution to Indian cinema who directed India’s first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra in 1913.
- The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹10 lakhs.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in its 2023 India Ageing Report, has said that by 2046, it is likely that the elderly population will have surpassed the population of children (aged up to 15) in the country.
- It is a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly and works as a sexual and reproductive health agency.
- Established as a trust fund in 1967 and began operations in 1969.
- Mandate established by – UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- Objective – UNFPA works directly to tackle Sustainable Development Goals on health (SDG3), education (SDG4) and gender equality (SDG5).
- Fund – Entirely supported by voluntary contributions.