MAINS Current Affairs includes Ecological Risks of Microplastics & India’s Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (2031–2035)

Environment

1. Ecological Risks of Microplastics

Context: A recent study found that Chennai’s beaches have fewer microplastics than many global counterparts yet the risk to marine life remains significant.

What are Microplastics?

• Definition: Microplastics are tiny plastic particles or fibres smaller than 5 millimetres, many of which are invisible to the human eye.
• Scale of Pollution: Around 7 million tonnes of microplasticsentered the environment in 2020, and this figure is projected to double by 2040, indicating a rapidly growing environmental threat.
• Forms of Microplastics:They come in various forms, such as beads, fragments, pellets, film, foam, and fibers.
• Types of Microplastics: 
  • Primary: Manufactured small on purpose (e.g. microbeads in cosmetics).
  • Secondary: Result from breakdown of larger plastic items (e.g. bottles, bags).

Why does low abundance not mean low risk?

• Toxic fibres: Nylon microfibres are highly toxic and persistent, accounting for nearly 35% of ocean microplastics.
• Pollutant carriers: Absorb toxins up to 10⁵–10⁶ timeshigher than surrounding water (heavy metals, POPs).
• Food chain transfer:Microplastics move through the food chain—from plankton to fish to humans—leading to biomagnification and increased health risks.

Sources

• Fishing activities: At least 10% of marine litter is estimated to be made up of fishing waste, which means that between 500,000 and 1 million tons of fishing gear are entering the ocean every year.
• Synthetic textiles: Synthetic clothes contribute 35% to microplastics burden in oceans.
• Tourism and beach use: Coastal tourism generates high volumes of single-use plastic waste, a major contributor to marine litter.
• Urban sewage and runoff: Wastewater is a key pathway; treatment plants can remove up to 90%, but the remaining still releases billions of microplastic particles daily into water bodies.

Impact/Challenges

• Human Health Concerns:Microplastics have been found in human tissue and in human blood, where their effects are largely unknown.
• Threat to Marine Biodiversity: Microplastics have been recorded in 1300+ marine species, contributing to biodiversity loss and ecosystem imbalance.
• Ingestion and Physical Damage:Marine organisms (fish, corals, plankton) ingest microplastics, causing internal injuries and blockages.
  • Over 90% of seabirdsare estimated to have ingested plastic at some point.
• Disruption of Ocean Carbon Cycle: Microplastics can disrupt the carbon cycle of the oceans. If zooplanktons consume microplastics, their faecal pellets sink at a much slower rate, which means they are more likely to break apart or be eaten by other animals — “making it less likely that the carbon will reach the seafloor and become permanently sequestered”.

Initiatives to Address Microplastics

• India
  • Ban on Single-Use Plastics (2022): India prohibited identified single-use plastic items to reduce plastic waste at source.
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Makes producers responsible for the collection, recycling, and environmentally sound disposal of plastic waste.
  • Monitoring by NCCR: The National Centre for Coastal Research monitors microplastics along India’s coasts, providing data for policy action.
• Global
  • MARPOL Convention: The International Maritime Organization framework regulates and prevents marine pollution from ships, including plastic waste.
  • Global Plastics Treaty: Negotiated under the United Nations Environment Programme, it aims to end plastic pollution by 2040 through a legally binding global agreement.

Conclusion 

• Microplastic pollution is a growing environmental and health concern, affecting water, marine life, and food chains globally.
• Addressing it requires strengthening research, promoting biodegradable alternatives, improving waste management, and enhancing public awareness.

Environment

2. India’s Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (2031–2035)

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved India’s updated climate commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, outlining targets for the period 2031–2035.

What are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)?

• NDCs are country-specific climate action plans under the Paris Agreement
• They define:
  • Emission reduction targets
  • Adaptation strategies
• Updated periodically to increase ambition

Core Principles Guiding India’s NDC

• Based on Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR-RC)
• Emphasises:
  • Climate justice
  • Equity
  • Developmental priorities

Balances economic growth + energy security + environmental responsibility

Key Targets in India’s NDC 3.0 (2031–2035)

1. Emissions Intensity Reduction

• Target: 47% reduction in emissions intensity (from 2005 levels) by 2035
• Achievement so far: ~36% reduction (2005–2020)

2. Non-Fossil Fuel Energy Capacity

• Target: 60% installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035
• Current status: Already ~52% achieved (2026)

3. Carbon Sink Creation

• Target: 5–4 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent
• Through:
  • Forest cover expansion
  • Tree plantations

Challenges in Achieving NDC Targets

1. Technology Constraints

• High cost and limited scalability of Green hydrogen, Battery storage, CCUS
• Heavy dependence on imports of critical minerals & tech

2. Continued Fossil Fuel Dependence

• Coal remains dominant due to Affordability, Energy security.
• Gap between Installed capacity (>50%), Actual generation (~25%)

3. Infrastructure & Urbanisation Pressure

• Rapid urban growth increases Energy demand, Emissions.
• Sectors affected Housing, Transport, Industry.

Key Government Initiatives

Renewable & Energy Transition

• PM Surya Ghar Yojana → rooftop solar
• PM-KUSUM → solar pumps for farmers
• National Green Hydrogen Mission → decarbonisation

Industrial & Manufacturing Support

• PLI Schemes → solar modules, EVs, batteries

Infrastructure Development

• Green Energy Corridor → transmission network
• Afforestation Programme → carbon sinks

Way Forward

1. Climate Finance Mobilisation

• Green bonds
• Blended finance
• Private sector participation
• Global climate funding

2. Technology & Innovation Push

• Invest in:
  • Hydrogen economy
  • Energy storage
  • CCUS

3. Just Energy Transition

• Gradual reduction in coal dependency
• Protect jobs and regional economies

Conclusion

India’s updated NDC reflects a balanced and realistic climate strategy, combining ambition with developmental needs.

Success will depend on:

• Technological advancement
• Financial resources
• Policy coordination

This approach strengthens India’s position as a responsible global climate leader while safeguarding domestic growth priorities.

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