BAKU: With the first draft decision text on new post-2025 climate finance goals released at COP29 here on Wednesday, amid huge differences between rich and developing nations on the issue, UN climate body said developing countries would need $1.1-2.4 trillion annual investment by 2030, and up to $2.9 trillion till 2035, to meet mitigation goals.
This could, at least, be an indication to negotiators of rich nations about requirement when developing countries have been struggling to get a deal on having at least $1.3 trillion a year from their developed counterparts with a significant provision component for adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage.
Developing countries, however, don’t want it in the form of “investment” as currently much of climate finance discussions are focused on investments in mitigation actions.
Though the new text has mentioned the amount ($1.3 trillion), it also carried the other much lesser options in brackets with caveats on the nature of climate finance which won’t be acceptable to developing countries.
Developing countries expressed that climate finance should be “adequate, predictable, accessible, grant-based, low-interest and long-term”. The developed countries have, so far, not put in any numbers.
Referring to the text, developing countries have already pointed out that it was an attempt to push weak language to avoid providing real grant-based finance. Negotiations at COP29 would, therefore, see more texts on a new climate finance goal — called New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) — in the coming days for countries to thrash out their differences. In all probability, the more intense discussions for some convergence in the final text is expected next week when ministers are around.
Albanian PM goes off script, speech creates a stir
Albanian PM Edi Rama created a stir on Wednesday at COP29, claiming that nothing had actually changed in the real world despite big appeals by leaders, who he blamed lacked common political will to go beyond words and unite for meaningful action. Citing an observation he had made a day before, Rama said he decided to leave aside his “well prepared speech” after watching the “silent TV” in the leaders’ lounge.
“People there eat, drink, meet, and take photos together, while images of voiceless speeches from leaders play on and on and on in the background. To me, this seems exactly like what happens in the real world every day,” he said.
Special envoy says US will continue path of decarbonisation
Putting up a brave face amid the threat of dilution of climate actions under Donald Trump, the American special Presidential envoy for climate John Podesta said the US economy would continue down the path of decarbonisation, reducing emissions for years to come, because of historic private sector investments made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act under President Joe Biden.
Delivering his nation’s statement here at COP29, he said the US is on track to meet President Biden’s ambitious international public finance commitment of $11 billion per year by the end of 2024. He emphasised that the American negotiators would need to first conclude the key negotiated outcomes including Article 6 (carbon market) and a robust new climate finance target here at the climate conference.
“It should be multi-layered with an ambitious, realistically achievable support layer involving new contributors … underpinned by a set of qualitative elements that evolve the international financial architecture,” said Podesta in the context of the new post-2025 finance goal.

NEW DELHI: Mahayuti leaders, including Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, on Wednesday shared videos of their bags being checked by poll body officials in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray‘s criticism of the Election Commission.
Sharing a video on X, NCP chief Ajit Pawar wrote: “Today, while on my way for election campaigning, the Election Commission conducted a routine check of my bags and helicopter. I fully cooperated and believe that such measures are essential to ensure free and fair elections.”
“Let us all respect the law and support efforts to uphold the integrity of our democracy,” the NCP chief wrote.

The bags of chief minister Eknath Shinde being checked by the poll officials was also shared by Shiv Sena. The party said Shinde’s bags were checked at Palghar Police ground helipad when he reached for the election campaign.

Ramdas Athawale’s party, which is a BJP ally, also shared video of party chief’s frisking video in Pune.
Earlier in the day, BJP shared a video of its leader Devendra Fadnavis being checked at an airport, saying it was a normal procedure ahead of the election.
The frisking by poll officials became the latest flashpoint in Maharashtra after UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray’s bags were checked twice in Yavatmal and Latur.
Criticising the EC, Uddhav asked if the election authorities would also inspect the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders.
The sources in the Election Commission, however, told PTI that aircraft and helicopters of top leaders across political spectrum are checked as part of standard operating procedure.
They said in the previous polls too, planes and helicopters of BJP president JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah were checked.
“There have been strict SOPs followed by enforcement agencies for a level playing field. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a similar issue was raised in Bihar and it was clarified that the helicopters of prominent leaders, including Nadda was checked in district Bhagalpur on April 24 and Shah in district Katihar on April 21 were also checked as per SOP,” a functionary pointed out.
The sources also recalled the statement of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar during the announcement of ongoing assembly elections that directions have been given to the enforcement agencies to ensure checking of helicopters of all leaders for a level playing field.

NEW DELHI: The country’s first analog space mission has taken off at Leh in Ladakh, where space agency Isro will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat as India is planning to send a human to the Moon in the near future.
Analog space missions are field tests in locations on Earth that have physical similarities to the extreme space environments and play a significant role in problem solving for spaceflight research. Ladakh has been chosen for such a mission as the geographical features of the area — dry and cold climate, barren land, high-altitude terrain and extreme isolation — are considered to closely resemble Martian and lunar landscapes, and are an ideal training ground for scientific missions aimed at exploring planets.
“India’s first analog space mission kicks off in Leh! A collaborative effort by Human Spaceflight Centre, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and supported by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, this mission will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth,” Isro posted on X on Friday.
The month-long mission, which kicked off mid-Oct, comes in the wake of India’s plans to set up lunar habitats, which could provide a base to launch interplanetary missions. The mission includes a compact, inflatable habitat named Hab-1, which is equipped with essentials like a hydroponics farm, kitchen, and sanitation facilities. It provides a self-sustaining environment, offering valuable data as India is planning long-duration space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Lying at an elevation over 3,000 metres above sea level, Ladakh has oxygen levels only 40% of those at sea level. The low-pressure, low-oxygen setting allows researchers to evaluate life support systems under conditions similar to those on Mars. The team of AAKA Space Studio is therefore testing environment suits and conducting geological studies in Leh.
Currently, scores of analog missions are being organised by space agencies as well as private entities and researchers. Some of the prominent ones are Nasa’s Analog Missions Project and Analog Astronaut Training Center. The Nasa project is managed by Johnson Space Center and includes four funded analog missions: Research and Technology Studies (RATS), Nasa’s Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO), In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), and International Space Station (ISS) Test bed for Analog Research (ISTAR). Analog Astronaut Training Center (AATC) in Poland has two full-isolation research laboratories and an analog astronaut training program. AATC, which has organised 75 analog simulations till the end of 2023, specialises in human physiology research and operational training for scientists, engineers, and astronaut candidates.

NEW DELHI: Amid rising pollution levels in the national capital, health experts on Saturday said poor air quality can affect all our organs.
Delhi has seen worsening air quality over recent weeks, largely attributed to stubble burning, low wind circulation, and also due to burning crackers, even after a ban.
On Saturday morning, a layer of smog covered Delhi-NCR with the Air Quality Index (AQI) registering a ‘poor’ rating.
Delhi’s average AQI stood at 294 at 7:30 A.M, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). About 18 areas reported AQI levels above 300, indicating a ‘very poor’ category.
The most affected areas included Anand Vihar (380), IGI Airport (341), RK Puram (340), and Punjabi Bagh (335). Additionally, AQI levels between 200 and 300, indicating ‘poor’ air quality, were recorded in 19 other areas, including Alipur (295), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (284), and Mundka (288).
“Clean air is our right. We need air for life that should have oxygen and not pollutants. Only then can we be healthy, else no organ in the body can remain unaffected by air pollution,” Dr. Anil Goyal, MBBS, MS – General Surgery, MCh – Urology and former IMA President, told IANS.
He noted that air pollution can lead to infections in the windpipe and lungs.
“The presence of particulate matter in the body can cause pneumonia and bronchitis. It can also worsen conditions for people already suffering from asthma and lead to hospitalisation and ICU admissions.” Goyal said, noting that children and patients with hypertension, cardiac diseases, and kidney dialysis are the most vulnerable.
The health expert stated that air pollution is also causing allergies, leading to irritation and watering of the eyes; and throat infections.
“PM2.5 microns can pass through the bloodstream and cause damage to lungs, liver, and kidneys,” Goyal said.
Increasing levels of air pollution can also have a profound impact on mental health.
Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder & Director, Manasthali Wellness told IANS that exposure to PM2.5 and toxic gases can impact mental health.
“This can cause many psychological and emotional problems. Prolonged exposure to air pollution increases stress, anxiety, and depression,” Kapoor said.
To prevent the range of conditions, Goyal suggested the residents to keep sprinkling water in localities to curb the dust; use air purifiers at home; do not burn garbage; use less of own vehicles, but use state-sponsored buses, and metros to travel.
He also recommended the vulnerable population use masks, and go for morning walks only after sunrise; not indulge in heavy exercise
Avoiding non-vegetarian diets, and spicy and fatty foods can also aid in digestion and keep people healthy during high pollution levels. Goyal said while advising people to take more water, fresh fruits, green vegetables, and millet.

NEW DELHI: India has committed to prioritise effective restoration of at least 30% of its degraded terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by 2030 in sync with the country’s 23 national biodiversity targets as well as the global 30×30 biodiversity goals. It said the country would need an annual average amount of Rs 81,664 crore for implementation of its updated pledges up to 2029-30.
The country unveiled its voluntary commitments in its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) during the 16th session of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) at Cali, Colombia where countries representatives are negotiating multiple issues to protect nature, including a financial mechanism to support countries towards their efforts.
India in its updates also outlined its 23 national biodiversity targets, aligning it with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) adopted by 196 countries in Montreal during COP15 in 2022 as part of a larger global goal to protect 30% of the planet Earth by 2030 (popularly known as 30×30 targets) through halt and reverse biodiversity loss and achieve a nature-positive world.
India in its updated NBSAP claimed that it spent around Rs 32,207 crore annually on biodiversity protection, conservation, and restoration from 2017-2018 to 2021-2022.
India’s 23 targets focus on reducing threats to biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use of resources, and enhancing tools for implementation. Each target is linked to specific strategies aimed at promoting ecosystem resilience, species recovery, and sustainable management practices.
“India’s diverse geography, climate, and socio-economic conditions contribute to its status as a megadiverse country, housing numerous species across various ecosystems. With over 55,000 plant taxa and 1,00,000 animal species, India plays a crucial role in global biodiversity. This diversity supports essential ecosystem services vital for human livelihoods and ecological health,” said India’s updated NBSAP.
It said, “India employs both in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies. Protected areas (PAs) are central to conservation efforts, complemented by community-driven initiatives and managed forest practices. Agrobiodiversity is recognized as critical for food security, with extensive efforts made in conservation and sustainable management of agricultural biodiversity.”
Since achieving the country’s national biodiversity targets needs, India in its submission noted that the financing of biodiversity initiatives has been identified as a “significant challenge”.
It said, “The estimated financial requirements for implementing the updated NBSAP are substantial, necessitating innovative resource mobilization strategies. The establishment of a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring framework is also essential for tracking progress against national targets, leveraging indicators that reflect the ecological health and biodiversity status across India.”

BENGALURU: Isro on Friday said India’s first Analogue space mission kicks off in Leh, in a collaborative effort by its Human Spaceflight Centre, Aaka Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and supported by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
“…This mission will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth,” Isro, which is in talks with multiple academic groups for a larger analogue research project, said.
Aaka, which has initiated the country’s first Mars and Moon Analogue mission in Ladakh is conducting a month-long project in partnership with Isro and other partners.
Aaka founder Aastha Jhala, told TOI: “The habitat prototype, developed by Aaka Space Studio, features advanced technologies including an EVA (extra-vehicular activity) preparation zone, circadian lighting systems, and hydroponics for food production. A stand-alone solar power system and comprehensive environmental monitoring ensure the habitat’s self-sufficiency in extreme conditions.”
Led by Aastha, the mission aims at leveraging Ladakh’s unique environmental characteristics that mirror Mars-like conditions. The region’s high altitude provides only 40% of sea-level oxygen, while its extreme temperature variations from 15°C to -10°C closely simulate the challenging conditions astronauts might face on Mars or the Moon.
“This mission represents a crucial step in developing sustainable human habitats for space exploration,” Aastha said.
The research conducted during this mission will not only test the habitat’s physical systems but also study human adaptation to isolation and extreme environments. The findings will be shared with the global scientific community, contributing to the advancement of space habitation technology.
However, this is only the first such mission, and will not be India’s only mission in analogue research and findings from multiple such endeavours are expected to play a key role in India’s future endeavours of having a more sustainable presence on Moon and Mars, in line with global efforts.

NEW DELHI: India has launched its updated biodiversity action plan with a goal to protect at least 30 percent of its terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by 2030, in line with global biodiversity targets. The updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), unveiled at the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, outlines 23 national targets aligned with the 23 global goals set under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), which was adopted at the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference in Canada in 2022.
A key goal of the KM-GBF is to protect at least 30 percent of the world’s land and ocean areas by 2030. It also aims to restore degraded ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, and rivers, to ensure they continue providing essential resources like clean water and air.
India, recognised as one of the 17 megadiverse countries, became a party to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994. It harbours 7-8 percent of the world’s recorded species within just 2.4 percent of the global land area.
According to the updated NBSAP, India spent around Rs 32,200 crore on biodiversity protection, conservation, and restoration from 2017-2018 to 2021-2022. The projected annual average expenditure for biodiversity conservation through 2029-2030 is estimated to be Rs 81,664.88 crore.
India has set its biodiversity goals in three main areas. The first theme of ‘Reducing Threats to Biodiversity’ includes eight targets. The first five targets directly address major threats to biodiversity: Land and sea use changes, pollution, species overuse, climate change, and invasive alien species.
The other three targets focus on restoring ecosystems, managing species and genetic diversity, and ensuring the legal, sustainable use of wild species.
The second theme of “Meeting People’s Needs through Sustainable Use and Sharing Benefits” includes five targets aimed at sustainably managing agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and forests.
These areas are crucial for the livelihoods of rural communities, including farmers, herders, fishers, tribal people, and forest dwellers. These targets also cover sustainable use of wild species, management of ecosystem services, better access to green spaces for urban residents, fair sharing of biodiversity benefits, encouraging public support for conservation.
The third theme of “Tools and Solutions for Implementation” includes ten targets focused on integrating biodiversity into broader development goals, promoting sustainable production and consumption, reducing waste and repurposing harmful subsidies, building skills, sharing knowledge, mobilising resources, and supporting inclusive, fair, and gender-responsive planning and decision-making in biodiversity efforts.
Under National Biodiversity Target 3, India aims to expand Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) to cover 30 percent of the country’s landscapes. This target emphasises the crucial role of communities in biodiversity conservation while ensuring sustainable use.
India’s National Biodiversity Target 2 acknowledges widespread ecosystem degradation and aims for the effective restoration of at least 30 percent of degraded terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine ecosystems by 2030.
“Agricultural expansion, industrialisation, linear infrastructure development, mining, urbanization, and other developmental activities, coupled with the overexploitation of natural ecosystems by resource-dependent communities, especially post-independence, have led to large-scale ecosystem degradation, reducing the ecosystem services they once provided. This makes the target a top priority for focused actions,” the NBSAP said.
The NBSAP’s Target 16 addresses overconsumption and waste generation as root causes of biodiversity loss. India has launched Mission Life to encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly lifestyles.
Adopted in 1992 to protect the world’s biodiversity, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) requires countries to create an NBSAP, which is a key tool for conserving and sustainably using biodiversity at the national level.
Countries are also required to report their progress every four years through national reports.