Category: IAS

In this article, we will discuss Blue Bond. So, let’s get started.

Blue Bond

• It is a debt instrument issued by governments, development banks etc., to raise capital from investors to finance marine and ocean-based projects.
• It will help in expansion of marine protected areas, improved governance of priority fisheries and the development of the blue economy.
• The blue bond is inspired by the green bond concept.
• Seychelles became the first country in the world to launch sovereign Blue Bonds.
• According to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), in India, the concept of blue bonds is a mode of sustainable finance, such securities can be utilised for various blue economy-related activities, including oceanic resource mining and sustainable fishing.

In this article, we will discuss ICZM Plan (Objective). So, let’s get started.

Objective

• Formulation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for the State
• Lessen the coastal erosion
• Reduce vulnerability to disaster
• Biodiversity conservation
• Livelihood security
• Pollution/ environmental quality management
• Improvement and conservation of cultural/ archaeological assets

In this article, we will discuss ICZM Plan (Implementation). So, let’s get started.

Implementation

• It is a World Bank assisted project and is being implemented by the Department of Forests and Environment with assistance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, is providing scientific and technical inputs.

In this article, we will discuss ICZM. So, let’s get started.

• Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan: (ICZM) is a process for the management of the coast using an integrated approach, regarding all aspects of the coastal zone, including geographical and political boundaries, in an attempt to achieve sustainability.
• The concept was born in 1992 during the Earth Summit of Rio de Janeiro.
• The specifics regarding ICZM is set out in the proceedings of the summit within Agenda 21.

In this article, we will discuss SICOM. So, let’s get started.

Society of Integrated Coastal Management

• Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) has been established under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
• It has a vision for vibrant, healthy and resilient coastal and marine environment for the continuous and enhanced outflow of benefits to the country and the coastal community.
• SICOM is the national project management unit of India in strategic planning, management, execution, monitoring and successful implementation of the ICZMP-Phase-I.

In this article, we will discuss Ocean Energy. So, let’s get started.

Ocean Energy

Oceans’ water movement creates a vast store of kinetic energy (energy in motion) in the various forms of renewable energy viz wave energy, tidal energy, ocean current energy, salinity gradient energy and ocean thermal gradient energy which can be harnessed to generate electricity.

In this article, we will discuss IPCC. So, let’s get started.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

• It was created in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Currently has 195 members.
• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• It has the objective to provide governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies.
• It provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impact and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
• It gives the report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation among other various reports.

In this article, we will discuss OTEC. So, let’s get started.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

• The technology which uses ocean temperature differences from the surface to depths lower than 1,000 meters, to extract energy.
• Research focuses on two types of OTEC technologies-
• In Closed cycle method, a working fluid (ammonia) is pumped through a heat exchanger for evaporation and the steam runs a turbine. The vapour is turned back to fluid (condensation) by the cold water found at the depths of the ocean where it returns to the heat exchanger.
• In Open cycle method, the warm surface water is pressurized in a vacuum chamber and converted to steam which runs the turbine. The steam is then condensed using cold ocean water from lower depths.
• It has high (94%) capacity factor which makes it the best power source and although it has a high initial cost, low maintenance and regular power supply makes it an attractive alternative.
• OTEC is supplied by an infinite supply of solar energy and the stored energy in it after sundown makes it a 24 hour power supplier.
• There are no emissions from the OTEC power plants so air quality will not be degraded.

In this article, we will discuss O-SMART. So, let’s get started.

O-SMART

India has an umbrella scheme by the name of O-SMART which aims at regulated use of oceans, marine resources for sustainable development.

In this article, we will discuss National Fisheries Policy. So, let’s get started.

National Fisheries Policy

India has a National Fisheries policy for promoting ‘Blue Growth Initiative’ which focuses on sustainable utilization of fisheries wealth from marine and other aquatic resources.