Green Taxonomy
Why in News: The RBI and Finance Ministry could look to the developing world, particularly the ASEAN region, for guidance. There, they maintain a dynamic green taxonomy that continually evolves with input from various sectors, reflecting potential sustainable paths.
About Green Taxonomy
Definition:
- A green taxonomy serves as a framework to identify environmentally sustainable investments.
- It categorizes economic activities and assets into those considered “green” or environmentally sustainable.
Purpose:
- Prevents greenwashing by providing clarity on sustainable investments.
- Assists investors in making informed decisions about where to allocate their funds.
- Directs investments towards sustainable or environmentally friendly economic activities and assets.
Structure:
- All taxonomies share similar structures, typically encompassing climate mitigation and adaptation goals.
- Some include additional environmental objectives like biodiversity conservation.
- Activities must significantly contribute to at least one environmental objective to be considered green.
- Criteria often include “do no significant harm” and social safeguards to ensure compliance with human rights.
Variations:
- Some taxonomies solely define what qualifies as green, while others, like the Indonesian and proposed Singaporean taxonomies, adopt a “traffic light” system.
- The “traffic light” approach categorizes economic activities into green, amber, or red, indicating their level of environmental sustainability.
Source: TH
Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS)
Why in News: The United States has affirmed its provision of long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine in support of its conflict efforts against Russia.)
About Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS)
- Long-Range Precision: The Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) represent a conventional surface-to-surface artillery weapon system with the capability to target locations far beyond the reach of existing Army cannons, rockets, and other missiles.
- Maximum Range and Speed: The ATACMS boasts a maximum range of 300 km and achieves supersonic speeds, exceeding Mach 3.
- Origin and Effectiveness: First utilized in 1986, the ATACMS was instrumental in targeting high-value objectives such as airfields, artillery and missile units, supply depots, and command centers. It notably contributed to the swift success of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where a coalition of 42 countries, led by the United States, opposed Iraq.
- Versatility and Deployment: These missiles can be launched from platforms like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) M270, both of which have been supplied to Ukraine by the US and the United Kingdom.
- Precision Targeting and Munitions: ATACMS is renowned for its precision targeting, enabling accurate strikes on specific military targets or critical infrastructure. Upon firing, it disperses cluster munitions, releasing numerous “bomblets” instead of a single warhead.
- Cluster Munitions and International Standards: Cluster munitions, as defined by the Convention on Cluster Munitions, consist of explosive submunitions weighing less than 20 kilograms, dispersed upon detonation.
- Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Ukraine has sought ATACMS support since the early stages of the conflict. In 2023, the US supplied ATACMS to Ukraine, posing a significant threat to the Russian land corridor in southern Ukraine.
Source: IE
Candidate elected unopposed
Why in News: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gained its first seat in the Lok Sabha on April 22, as Mukesh Dalal, the party’s candidate for the Surat constituency in Gujarat, was elected without facing any opposition.
About Candidate elected unopposed
Legal Framework:
- Section 53(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, governs uncontested elections.
- According to this provision, if the number of candidates is fewer than the seats to be filled, the Returning Officer (RO) must immediately declare all candidates elected.
RO’s Responsibilities:
- The RO’s actions are guided by Section 33 of the Act, which outlines nomination paper presentation and validity requirements.
- Sub-section 4 mandates the RO to verify that the details on the nomination paper match those on the electoral rolls.
Example Scenario:
- In a recent instance, three proposers of the Congress candidate for Surat, Nilesh Kumbhani, declared in an affidavit to the District Election Officer (DEO) that they did not sign his nomination form. They also failed to appear before the DEO to support the candidate’s nomination.
Source: TH
