Context:
World Economic Forum releases “Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2024” Report
Key Findings:
- Clean energy infrastructure investments reached $1.8 trillion in 2023, with nearly 90% of the growth since 2021 occurring in advanced economies and China.
- Top Performers – Sweden and Denmark
- India is ranked 63rd on the ETI.
- 8 countries (Bhutan, Comoros, Gabon, Guyana, Madagascar, Niue, Panama, and Suriname) reached net-zero emissions in 2022.
- Generative AI can enable energy companies to save over $500 billion annually.
Other Major Initiatives in Energy Transition:
- Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge – Signed by 133 countries CoP 28 of UNFCCC, calls for tripling the rate of renewables capacity by 2030.
- Addressing Technology Gaps for Energy Transitions – By G20.
- Just Energy Transition Partnerships – Launched by the International Energy Agency & WEF
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) – Launched by the EU in 2023.
Source: WEF
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: According to the United Nations’ World Water Development Report, 2022, India extracts more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement-II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world’s population living in its territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-ll is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-ll is correct
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
About 89% of this groundwater is used in India for irrigation. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
