News item 1: CoradiaiLint – World’s first zero-emissions hydrogen train unveiled in Germany
World first hydrogen-powered and zero-emission passenger train named as CoradiaiLint was un-veiled in Germany.
WHO DEVELOPED IT ?French rail company Alstom.
FEATURES:
The CoradiaiLint only emits excess steam and condensed water into the atmosphere.
CoradiaiLint is powered by a hydrogen fuel tank fitted on its roof. The fuel cell is supplied with hydrogen and oxygen from the air.T
The train is totally carbon-neutral and carbon-free which makes it a much more sustainable alternative conventional diesel trains.
News item 2: Paris climate agreement becomes international law
The Paris Agreement to combat climate change officially entered into force after 55 parties to the convention.
DO THEY REALLY COUNT ? Yes they account for at least 55% of total GHG (green-house gas) emissions ratified it.
WHEN DID THE TREATY ENTERED INTO FORCE: 5th October 2016.
ABOUT INDIA :India was 62nd country to ratify it on 2 October 2016.
ABOUT PARIS AGREEMENT : It is an international climate deal to combat climate change. It facilitates enforcement of global GHGs reduction measures in the post-2020 Under it, all countries must pursue to keep global temperature rising below 2°C by 2100 above pre-industrial levels with an ideal target of keeping temperature rise below 1.5°C. It forces developed countries to provide 100 billion dollars annually to the developing counterparts beginning in 2020 to deal with climate change.
News item 3: World Bank must aid countries to manage shift away from coal.
The global development lenders like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ABD) must provide help countries including India to shift away from coal for energy purpose.
WHO PROPOSED THIS IDEA ?It was proposed by the World Coal Association to finance countries to help them to shift fromtheir to more efficient technologies so that they can meet their COP21 commitments.
WHAT CAN HELP IN THIS REGARD ?Super critical and ultra-super critical (USC) plants technologies have capability to substantially reduce CO2 emissions and virtually eliminate PM emissions.
“EASE OF LIVING” INDEX
WHO ? World Bank is all set to rank cities globally on a “ease of living” index.
WHAT> The index include categories on social inclusion, cost of living, public transport, housing, education, health, environment-friendliness, crime/safety, governance and corruption to judge the liveability in cities.
INDIA :India was ranked a lowly 130 on the “ease of doing business” index 2016.
