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- Why in News?
- The World Bank Group’s State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025 Report highlights the continued global momentum in carbon pricing. The number of active Carbon Pricing (CP) instruments has expanded from just 5 in 2005 to 80 today, with countries like India, Brazil, and Türkiye developing new initiatives.
- Key Provisions:-
- Key findings include that CP instruments now cover about 28% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with 43 carbon taxes and 37 Emissions Trading Systems (ETSs) in place. These mechanisms generated over USD 100 billion in revenue in 2024. The power and industrial sectors remain the most covered, while agriculture and waste lag behind.
- There is a continued oversupply of carbon credits, with nearly 1 billion tons unretired in 2024.
- Globally, Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and recent COP29 decisions provide rules for international cooperation. India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (2023) includes both compliance and offset mechanisms for emissions management.
- Why in News?
- The Union Agriculture Ministry has allocated ₹6,000 crore to boost the Agri Stack as part of the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM). Unveiled at the National Conference on Agri Stack, the funding includes ₹4,000 crore for establishing Farmer Registries, including legal heir verification, and ₹2,000 crore for nationwide Digital Crop Surveys.
- Key Provisions:-
Launched in 2024, DAM aims to build a comprehensive digital ecosystem for agriculture, providing timely, data-driven support to farmers. Core initiatives include the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) such as the Agri Stack, Krishi Decision Support System, and Soil Fertility Maps. - The Agri Stack, modeled on Aadhaar with a federated architecture, ensures integration between Centre and States.
- Other efforts include the Krishi DSS for real-time data use, village-level soil mapping, and automation via DGCES. New digital tools like Kisan Pehchan Patra and MoUs with multiple states also aim to expand access to credit and verified farmer identities.
- Why in News?
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead a comprehensive investigation into the recent Air India aircraft crash at Ahmedabad airport. The incident has triggered a formal probe to determine its cause and ensure accountability.
- Key Provisions:-
- Established in 2012, the AAIB functions as an attached office under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Its formation aligns with India’s commitment to Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944), which outlines international standards for aircraft accident investigations.
- The bureau's primary role is to oversee investigations and support legal processes under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. It specifically investigates all accidents and serious incidents involving aircraft with an All-up Weight (AUW) over 2,250 kg or turbojet aircraft.
- By ensuring independent and objective inquiries, the AAIB plays a key role in improving aviation safety standards and preventing the recurrence of similar incidents.
- Why in News?
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead a comprehensive investigation into the recent Air India aircraft crash at Ahmedabad airport. The incident has triggered a formal probe to determine its cause and ensure accountability.
- Key Provisions:-
- Established in 2012, the AAIB functions as an attached office under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Its formation aligns with India’s commitment to Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944), which outlines international standards for aircraft accident investigations.
- The bureau's primary role is to oversee investigations and support legal processes under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. It specifically investigates all accidents and serious incidents involving aircraft with an All-up Weight (AUW) over 2,250 kg or turbojet aircraft.
- By ensuring independent and objective inquiries, the AAIB plays a key role in improving aviation safety standards and preventing the recurrence of similar incidents.