Syllabus
GS Paper 3 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– Just energy transition
– Fossil fuel phase-out
– Climate Change
– Renewable Energy
Context
This article discusses the imperative for equitable phasing out of fossil fuels, international legal considerations, and the situation in India amidst global efforts to mitigate climate change
Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 8th February 2024
Equity concerns in banning fossil fuel extraction
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels, comprising coal, oil, and natural gas, have undeniably driven human progress for centuries.
The Indispensable Role of Fossil Fuels
- Industrial Revolution: Fossil fuels provided the critical energy input for the Industrial Revolution, transforming manufacturing, transportation, and communication. This revolutionized global economies and spurred innovations across various sectors.
- Accessibility and Affordability: Historically, abundant reserves and relatively low costs made fossil fuels the dominant energy source. Their widespread adoption facilitated significant progress across diverse sectors and fuelled economic development.
- Energy Production: Fossil fuels have been the primary sources of energy for electricity generation, heating, and transportation. They provide a reliable and consistent source of energy that can be easily transported and stored.
- Economic Growth: Fossil fuel industries contribute significantly to national and global economies by generating employment, income, and revenue. Many regions depend on fossil fuel extraction, production, and distribution as a major economic driver.
- Industrial Applications: Fossil fuels serve as essential raw materials for various industries, including petrochemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. They are integral to the production of a wide range of goods and materials used in everyday life.
- Transportation: Oil-based fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, power most vehicles, including cars, trucks, ships, and airplanes. Fossil fuels have enabled efficient and convenient transportation systems, facilitating trade, travel, and mobility.
- Electricity Generation: Coal and natural gas are key fuels used in power plants to generate electricity. Fossil fuel-based power generation provides a stable and scalable source of electricity, supporting residential, commercial, and industrial needs.
- Technological Innovation: Fossil fuel industries have driven technological advancements in extraction, refining, and utilization processes. These innovations have improved efficiency, reduced emissions, and expanded the range of applications for fossil fuels.
- Energy Security: Fossil fuel reserves are abundant in many regions, providing countries with a secure and accessible source of energy. Diversification of energy sources, including fossil fuels, enhances energy security and reduces dependence on imports.
Despite these benefits, it’s important to acknowledge the environmental and social costs associated with fossil fuel extraction, production, and consumption.
Issues with Fossil Fuels
Environmental:
- Climate Change: The primary concern lies in their contribution to climate change. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, trapping heat in the atmosphere and driving global temperature rise. This leads to numerous consequences, including melting glaciers, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems.
- Air Pollution: Emissions from fossil fuel combustion include harmful pollutants like sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These contribute to smog, acid rain, and respiratory illnesses, impacting human health and ecosystems.
- Water Pollution: Extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels can contaminate water bodies with oil spills, chemical pollutants, and heavy metals, harming aquatic life and jeopardizing water quality.
- Land Degradation: Coal mining, oil drilling, and gas extraction can significantly alter and degrade landscapes, impacting biodiversity and soil fertility.
Social:
- Health Impacts: Air pollution from fossil fuels contributes to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and premature deaths, imposing significant healthcare costs and human suffering.
- Energy Poverty: Limited access to affordable and reliable energy due to dependence on fossil fuels can impede development and restrict opportunities, particularly in developing nations.
- Community Displacement: Extraction and infrastructure development related to fossil fuels can displace communities, disrupt livelihoods, and damage cultural heritage.
Economic:
- Price Volatility: Fossil fuel prices are subject to geopolitical fluctuations, impacting energy security and economic stability, especially for developing nations.
- Resource Depletion: Fossil fuels are finite resources, and their depletion can lead to energy scarcity and economic instability in the long run.
- Subsidies: Subsidies for fossil fuels distort markets and hinder the development and adoption of cleaner energy alternatives.
Transitioning Toward a Sustainable Future
- Recognizing the gravity of these environmental consequences, a global shift towards renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal is underway. This transition presents both challenges and opportunities:
Challenges and Hurdles
- Initial Cost Barrier: Investing in renewable energy infrastructure requires significant upfront capital, exceeding the established costs of fossil fuel technologies.
- Intermittency and Storage: Some renewable sources, like solar and wind, exhibit intermittency, necessitating energy storage solutions and grid upgrades for reliable energy supply.
- Political and Economic Resistance: Existing interests in the fossil fuel industry can pose economic and political challenges to the transition due to vested interests and established infrastructure.
India’s Situation
- India’s progress in renewable energy is overshadowed by the dominance of fossil fuels in its power sector.
- Millions of people depend on fossil fuel-related jobs, posing challenges for a transition to cleaner energy.
- India is hence advocating climate justice with equitable energy transition.
Equitable Phasing Out of Fossil Fuels
- The UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement emphasize reducing greenhouse gases based on Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
- Challenges arise in transitioning for countries heavily dependent on fossil fuels due to economic reliance.
- Developed countries possess greater capacity for transition compared to developing countries, impacting the equitable distribution of responsibilities.
Conclusion
The urgency to phase out fossil fuels requires a balanced approach considering global responsibilities, legal frameworks, and national development priorities. Equitable transitions and support mechanisms are essential to mitigate climate change while addressing socio-economic concerns.
RELATED TOPICS
The Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol was a landmark international treaty adopted in 1997 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It represented the first international agreement setting legally binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for industrialized countries.
- Annex I and Annex II: The protocol divided signatory countries into two groups:
- Annex I: Developed countries and economies in transition agreed to individual, legally binding emission reduction targets, aiming for an average reduction of 5.2% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012 (first commitment period).
- Annex II: Developed countries committed to providing financial and technological assistance to developing countries (non-Annex I) to support their climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
- Flexible Mechanisms: The protocol established three market-based mechanisms to help Annex I countries achieve their targets:
- Emissions Trading: Countries could trade emission allowances with each other.
- Joint Implementation: Annex I countries could invest in emission reduction projects in other Annex I countries and receive credits towards their targets.
- Clean Development Mechanism: Annex I countries could invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries and receive credits towards their targets, while promoting sustainable development in these countries
The Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, is a landmark international treaty on climate change. It aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. Here’s a summary of its key aspects:
Objectives:
- Long-term Temperature Goals: Limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country sets its own emission reduction targets (NDCs) and updates them over time.
- Mitigation and Adaptation: The agreement covers both reducing greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and adapting to the impacts of climate change (adaptation).
- Transparency and Accountability: Countries report their progress on emission reductions and adaptation measures regularly.
- Financial Support: Developed countries are expected to provide financial support to developing countries for climate action.
References
Practice Question
Does demands for phasing out fossil fuel rule out the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities? Comment. [150 words]