Green Hydrogen

Context: India plans to cut green hydrogen production costs from USD 4.5 to USD 1 per kg by 2030 under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aiming to become the world’s lowest-cost producer.

• The Mission was launched in January 2023 with an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore until Financial Year 2029-30

What is Green Hydrogen?

• Definition: Green hydrogen is hydrogen fuel produced using renewable energy mainly solar and wind through electrolysis, generating zero carbon emissions during production.
• Advantages:
• • Enables deep decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, fertilisers and heavy transport.
  • Reduces dependence on fossil fuels and enhances long-term energy security.
  • Supports clean industrial growth and aligns with global net-zero pathways.
  • Creates opportunities for advanced manufacturing, green jobs, and innovation.

Factors Affecting Production Cost

• Electricity Cost: Cheaper renewable power is the single biggest determinant of green hydrogen affordability.
• Electrolyzer Cost: Lower capital costs and improved efficiency is expected with scale which can directly reduce production expenses.
• Transmission & Distribution Charges: High grid charges inflate final costs; waivers or reductions are essential for competitiveness.
• Government Incentives: Subsidies, tax credits, and reduced duties on renewable energy and electrolyzers significantly cut overall cost.
• Capacity Factor: Higher electrolyzer operating hours lower per-kg cost by spreading capital and maintenance expenses.

2030 Commonwealth Games

Context: India has officially secured hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with Ahmedabad ratified as the host city at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow.

• Centenary Edition: The 2030 Games will mark the 100th anniversary of the inaugural British Empire Games held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.

About the Commonwealth Games

• Overview: The Commonwealth Games is an international multi-sport event held every four years, featuring athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations.
• Origin: The first Commonwealth Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada.
• Evolution: Originally known as the British Empire Games, the inaugural event brought together athletes from 11 countries and territories.
  • Renamed over time as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, then the British Commonwealth Games, and finally the Commonwealth Games in 1978.
• Organised by: The Games are overseen by Commonwealth Sport, (HQ – London).
• Participants: Birmingham 2022 CWG featured 72 teams, including the 54 Commonwealth of Nations countries and 18 territories.
• Unique Features: Includes both Olympic sports (athletics, swimming, boxing) and Commonwealth-specific sports, such as Netballs, Lawn bowls, Rugby sevens, etc.
• Last edition (2022 Birmingham): Medal table topped by Australia, followed by England, Canada, India, and New Zealand.
• India and the Commonwealth Games
  • India first competed in the II British Empire Games in 1934.
  • India has hosted the Games once in New Delhi (2010).
• Host nations may propose up to two new/traditional sports.
• Strategic Implications: Hosting the 2030 Games aligns with India’s ambition to bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics.

Goa Tiger Reserve

Context: A Supreme Court-appointed committee has recommended a phased creation of the Goa Tiger Reserve.

About the Proposed Goa Tiger Reserve

• Background: Originates from a Bombay High Court directive (2023) to notify five protected areas in Goa as a tiger reserve.
  • Triggered by tiger poisoning deaths in 2020 and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) 2016 recommendation for reserve status.
• Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC): It was appointed after Goa government challenged the 2023 HC order
  • CEC conducted field visits, consultations with officials, forest dwellers, and NGOs.

Phased Reserve Creation Strategy

Phase 1

• Core Zone (Low Human Presence): Areas contiguous with Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve core.
  • It Includes:
    • Netravali Wild Life Sanctuary (WLS) (50 households)
    • Cotigao WLS (41 households)
• Buffer Zone: Areas touching Kali Tiger Reserve’s buffer.
  • It includes:
    • Northern Bhagwan Mahavir WLS (9 households)
    • Bhagwan Mahavir National Park (2 households)
• Total Area in Phase 1: 468.6 sq. km, forming a continuous landscape with Kali Tiger Reserve.

Phase 2 (To Be Considered Later)

• To Include Mhadei WLS.
• Limited boundary contiguity with Kali; requires extensive consultation.

Key Rationale for establishment

• Ecological: Ensures connectivity with the Kali Tiger Reserve, enhancing landscape-level conservation.
  • Protects critical corridors for tiger movement.
• Social: Minimises displacement concerns by initially selecting regions with fewer households.
  • Emphasises consultation, recognition of rights, and voluntary relocation.

Significance of Tiger Reserve Status

• Unlocks enhanced central funding for conservation, research, and habitat improvement.
• Establishes core (inviolate) and buffer (human-use compatible) zones for regulated management and reduced animal-human conflict.

Slovenia

Context: Recently, the 10th India and Slovenia Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (JCTEC) meeting was held in New Delhi to review bilateral economic ties and chart a roadmap for stronger trade, investment, and sectoral cooperation.

About Slovenia

• Slovenia is a Central European nation  with its capital at Ljubljana.
• Borders: It shares borders with Austria (north), Italy (west), Hungary (northeast), and Croatia (south/southeast), with a short coastline on the Adriatic Sea.
• Major Physiographic 
• • The Alps in the north and northwest, including the Julian Alps with Triglav Peak (2,864 m), the country’s highest point.
  • The Subalpine region south of the Alps, including the Pohorje range.
  • The Karst region in the southwest, marked by limestone caves and underground rivers.
  • The Subpannonia region in the east and northeast, consisting of fertile river valleys of the Drava, Sava, and Mura.
• Coastline: The Slovene Littoral provides a 47-km Adriatic coastline. 
• Forest Cover : Slovenia is among Europe’s most forested countries, with over 50% of its land under forests.

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