Current affairs 8th July By Right IAS
The Bonn Climate Conference: A Prelude to COP30 Mid-year climate meet held in Bonn, Germany to prepare for COP30 in Belém, Brazil (Nov 2025). Considered a “litmus test” for global climate commitment and ambition. Delayed Start & Procedural Disputes LMDCs (incl. India) demanded inclusion of: Article 9.1 (Developed countries’ legal obligation to provide finance) Carbon border taxes as an agenda item. EU & developed countries resisted, leading to: 2-day delay in formal negotiations. Informal consultations as a compromise. Divisions: Developing countries: Focus on historical responsibilities. Developed countries: Push for forward-looking frameworks. Mitigation Work Programme (MWP) Created to help meet 1.5°C goal. Tensions: Some countries want more ambition. Others (incl. LMDCs) Like minded developing countries) want it facilitative, not punitive. Key Debates: Whether MWP discussions create a “safe space”.
Resistance to new commitments without financial/technical support. New Proposal: Digital platform for sharing mitigation tools. Mixed reactions over duplication concerns Loss and Damage (L&D) Discussions on: Integrating L&D into NDCs. Role of Santiago Network. The Santiago Network is a United Nations initiative designed to connect vulnerable developing countries with technical assistance to address climaterelated loss and damage.
It was established at COP25 in Madrid in 2019, with key demands including more finance, faster access, and non-economic L&D inclusion. India and others pushed for streamlined support mechanisms. Just Transition Core themes: Equity, development rights, labour & Indigenous rights. Impact of carbon border taxes, trade barriers, and role of critical minerals. The Hindu Climate Change and Coastal Displacement in India Environmental Impact of Climate Change on Coastal India. Rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and frequent erosion are reshaping India’s coastline. Both eastern and western seaboards are witnessing loss of land and livelihoods. Coastal communities dependent on agriculture, fishing, and ecosystems are most affected.
Triggering forced migration towards urban areas without legal or financial safeguards. Regional Examples of Displacement Odisha (Satabhaya): Entire villages lost to the sea; resettlement colonies lack livelihood opportunities. Karnataka (Honnavar Taluk): Traditional fisherfolk displaced due to port development, tourism, and mangrove loss. Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Kerala: Similar cases of displacement due to both climate effects and unregulated development.
Role of Development Projects in Accelerating Degradation Coastal development under programs like Sagarmala, aquaculture, and energy projects worsens ecological stress. Mangroves, sand dunes, wetlands – natural barriers – are systematically destroyed. Environmental clearances often ignore cumulative climate risks and community impact. Leads to greater social vulnerability and environmental loss.
