Current Affairs - Environment

The European Union has established 2040 as the target year to achieve a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. This goal includes an allowance for up to 5% of reductions through foreign carbon credits, effectively making domestic cuts 85%. The agreement introduces a carbon credit pilot phase (2031–2035), aiming to balance environmental responsibility with economic realities. Although the plan demonstrates strong climate ambition, some critics express concern that the flexibility provided by carbon credits may weaken the EU’s overall emission integrity. Nonetheless, the 2040 goal marks a critical step toward carbon neutrality.

The next All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) will be conducted in 2026, marking it as the world’s largest wildlife survey. India, home to over 75% of the global wild tiger population, will use a mix of ground tracking, satellite technology, and AI-based camera traps to ensure scientific accuracy and ecosystem-wide assessment. Building on the 2022 survey that recorded 3,682 tigers, the 2026 census aims to evaluate not just tiger numbers but also habitat health, prey density, and human-wildlife interactions. With participation from over 60,000 forest personnel, this massive operation reinforces India’s leadership in global wildlife conservation.

A nationwide survey conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India revealed that vultures have disappeared from 72% of their historical nesting sites across India, with only 120 out of 425 sites still active. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan together account for 63% of the remaining nests, most of which are located in protected areas. The report also identified 93 new nesting sites. Notably, the Slender-billed vulture has lost all 47 of its previous nesting sites, with major threats including habitat destruction, poisoning from toxic veterinary drugs, and attacks by feral dogs.

Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally called Tino, struck the Philippines in early November 2025 with powerful winds reaching 205 km/h, devastating the Visayas region. The typhoon triggered floods, landslides, and 3-meter storm surges, heavily damaging provinces such as Cebu, Leyte, Samar, and Negros Occidental. At least 26 people lost their lives, primarily in Cebu, and hundreds of thousands were displaced as homes, infrastructure, and power systems were destroyed. The event underscored the Philippines’ continued vulnerability to intense tropical cyclones fueled by climate change and highlighted the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness across coastal communities.

Uttarakhand will introduce a green tax from December 2025 on all vehicles entering from other states to safeguard its fragile Himalayan environment. The initiative aims to reduce vehicular emissions, discourage unnecessary traffic in eco-sensitive hill areas, and promote sustainable tourism. The tax collection will be fully automated through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at 37 entry points, ensuring transparency and efficiency. By integrating digital governance and environmental protection, Uttarakhand becomes one of the first states to adopt a real-time, technology-driven system for ecological conservation and pollution control in hill regions.