UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-3 to check your progress. 🚨 It’s our first anniversary! The Indian Express UPSC Essentials brings to you the September issue of its monthly magazine, the special anniversary edition. Click Here to read. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 QUESTION 1 Critically analyse the importance of defining climate finance in the context of global climate negotiations. Discuss the implications of technology transfer and financing for developing nations, particularly in addressing inequalities in climate resilience. QUESTION 2 What is the role of biodiversity in enhancing urban resilience to climate change? Discuss the strategies that cities can adopt to integrate biodiversity into urban planning and the potential socio-economic benefits of such integration. General points on the structure of the answers Introduction — The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction. — It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts. Body — It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content. — The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points. — Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse. — Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer. — Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required. Way forward/ conclusion — The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction. — You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers. Self Evaluation — It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers. THOUGHT PROCESS You may enrich your answers by some of the following points QUESTION 1: Critically analyse the importance of defining climate finance in the context of global climate negotiations. Discuss the implications of technology transfer and financing for developing nations, particularly in addressing inequalities in climate resilience. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Climate finance refers to the investments that are needed to tackle climate change by way of either preventive steps to reduce emissions, known as mitigation or preparatory steps to tackle its impacts, known as adaptation. — The finance can be local, national or transnational, drawn from public, private or alternative sources, as per the United Nations. — Developing countries have suggested that wealthy countries should provide financial help to them in order to combat climate change, citing the (now) affluent world's emissions during the last 150 years as the root cause of the problem. — The 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which underpins COP conferences, mandated high-income countries to provide climate funding to developing countries. — In 2009, developed countries promised to donate $100 billion per year to underdeveloped countries by 2020. In 2010, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) was formed as a critical delivery vehicle. The 2015 Paris Agreement strengthened and extended this objective to 2025. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer: Implications of technology transfer and financing for developing nations — At present, the developed nations are obliged to raise $100 billion annually to support developing nations. However, as per the Paris Agreement, this ceiling has to be revised after 2025. — The annual United Nations climate conference, Conference of Parties 29 (COP) summit announced that it will launch a new fund to support developing countries in their actions against climate change. This year’s summit will see negotiations on finalising an agreement on climate finance that will help developing countries fight climate change. — At the plenary session on 'India's Path to Net-Zero', the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated that developing countries have significant needs that must be met, and that the common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CDBR-RC) principle must serve as the foundation for discussions. — According to a 2021 analysis by the UNFCCC standing committee, developing countries will need at least $5.8 trillion by 2030 to meet the needs outlined in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline efforts to reduce national emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. Conclusion: — The world has to close the inequality gap between countries on the issue of technology and finance to achieve the joint goal of tackling climate change. — The COP 29 summit will see negotiations on finalising an agreement on climate finance that will help developing countries fight climate change. (Source: Exact definition of climate finance needed, inequality gap on tech has to be closed: Bhupender Yadav by Nikhil Ghanekar, What is climate finance — and why developing countries need it by Alind Chauhan) Points to Ponder Other important climate summits COP 29 — Host country Important agreements that will be signed during summit Related Previous Year Questions The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (2023) Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (2021) Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021) QUESTION 2: What is the role of biodiversity in enhancing urban resilience to climate change? Discuss the strategies that cities can adopt to integrate biodiversity into urban planning and the potential socio-economic benefits of such integration. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Forests are complex ecosystems composed of numerous creatures that interact with one another. At the individual level, all living things in the forest want to survive and reproduce. However, they are all interconnected and play an important role in maintaining a delicate balance in the wider ecosystem. — More than 75% of blooming plants worldwide rely on insects and animals to pollinate them. They cannot reproduce without pollinating insects such as butterflies and bees. Aside from the intricate connection of the plant and animal kingdoms, there is the interesting fungus kingdom that links trees and plants. Mushrooms and other fungi are found primarily on plant and tree roots. — A thriving forest ecosystem houses different types of plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms — different from a human-made green park. The diversity of the forest builds the resilience and adaptability of an ecosystem. A thriving biodiverse ecosystem not only provides clean air, water and food but also helps us cope with natural disasters, diseases, and climate change. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer: Strategies that cities can adopt to integrate biodiversity into urban planning — Studying trees and organisms that are native to an area is the first step and then reintroducing native plants and organisms to encourage restoration of original ecosystems is one way. — Mumbai is home to an incredible biodiversity. The city features a thriving biodiverse protected forest, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, within its city borders, as well as extensive mangroves and wetlands along its shore. The current over-concretisation of the island city, with its excessive buildings and roadways, poses a serious threat to biodiversity. Some of the strategies are: (i) To combat coastal erosion, we can preserve mangroves and natural marine habitats. (ii) Invest in sewage treatment plants that handle the city's waste before it enters the waters, as well as in novel initiatives like artificial reefs that could boost marine biodiversity. (iii) Planting native plant and tree species to increase land biodiversity. (iv) The creation of habitat corridors allows the creatures in the park to multiply, expanding the park's ecology into the city. Conclusion: — A “green corridor” can be created and help reap the benefits of climate mitigation. For instance, Medellin in Colombia, created a similar network of green corridors. It led to cleaner air and a drop in two degrees of temperature in the city. — The creation of the Mumbai Coastal Road has enhanced connectivity in the city. Similarly, a conscious focus on land and marine biodiversity across the country could greatly help address the climate issues. (Source: How biodiversity can increase the resilience of cities) Points to Ponder Measures to prevent coastal erosion What are habitat corridors? Location: Sanjay Gandhi National Park Related Previous Year Questions How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (2018) Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard? (2022) Previous Mains Answer Practice UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 69) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 68) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 68) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 69) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 69) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 68) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. 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