The UNEP State of Finance for Nature 2026 report highlights a severe global imbalance in environmental finance, revealing that more than $30 is spent on activities that harm nature for every $1 invested in protecting it. Nature-negative financial flows reached around $7.3 trillion annually, while funding for nature-based solutions (NbS) stood at only $220 billion. Harmful subsidies for fossil fuels, industrial agriculture, and resource-intensive sectors continue to dominate global spending patterns. Although investment in NbS has shown modest growth and some decline in fossil fuel financing is visible, progress remains far too slow. UNEP warns that NbS funding must rise to at least $571 billion per year by 2030 to meet global climate, biodiversity, and land restoration targets. Without redirecting financial systems toward nature-positive investments, the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution will intensify.
Click to View MoreClimate change threatens food security, making Climate-Resilient Agriculture essential. Though initiatives like NICRA and NMSA exist, adoption remains weak due to smallholder constraints, poor bio-input quality, digital gaps, and fragmented policy, demanding an urgent, unified national CRA roadmap.
Click to View MoreReducing methane emissions from paddy fields can generate additional income for farmers through carbon markets. By shifting from continuously flooded rice fields to practices such as Alternate Wetting and Drying, methane emissions can be significantly lowered without affecting yields while also saving water. The verified reductions are converted into carbon credits that companies purchase to offset their own emissions, enabling farmers to earn extra revenue. This approach links climate mitigation, water conservation and livelihood enhancement, though it also requires reliable measurement systems and fair benefit-sharing to ensure small farmers benefit equitably.
Click to View MoreWorld Soil Day, observed on 5 December, highlights soil’s vital role in sustaining food systems, climate stability, water regulation and biodiversity. With nearly one-third of global soils degraded and India facing significant land decline, the day underscores the need for scientific soil management, grassland restoration, and farmer-led stewardship. It serves as a reminder that soil is a living resource requiring urgent protection to secure livelihoods, ecological health and long-term sustainability.
Click to View MoreClimate change is increasingly affecting India’s commercial crops through rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, soil degradation, and higher pest incidence. Crops like tea, coffee, rice, wheat, and sugarcane face reduced yields and quality, threatening farmer livelihoods and export competitiveness. Government initiatives such as the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and programs by the Tea and Coffee Boards aim to enhance climate resilience through climate-smart varieties, water management, pest control, and insurance. Adoption of sustainable practices, crop diversification, and technology integration are essential for safeguarding productivity and ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability.
Click to View MoreIndian farmers and scientists oppose expanding the ITPGRFA to all crops at the Lima summit. They fear loss of seed sovereignty, biopiracy, and weak benefit sharing. They insist on mandatory payments and strict DSI regulation before any change, arguing the current system already fails developing countries.
Click to View MoreAir pollution in India significantly impacts children’s growth, leading to stunted physical development, respiratory problems, and cognitive impairments. Studies from Delhi-NCR, Punjab, and Vidarbha show that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter and toxic air pollutants reduces height and lung capacity in children under five. Effective government measures and community-level interventions are crucial to protect children’s health and ensure equitable development.
Click to View MorePesticide pollution in India is a growing environmental and public health concern. Overuse of chemical pesticides, especially in cotton and high-value crops, contaminates air, water, and soil, affecting both farmers and nearby communities. Regulatory gaps, limited monitoring, and lack of awareness exacerbate the problem. Integrated pest management, bio-pesticides, safer spraying practices, and stronger enforcement of laws offer viable solutions. Case studies from Telangana, Maharashtra, and Punjab show that reducing chemical dependency is possible without affecting crop yields, promoting healthier, sustainable, and inclusive agriculture.
Click to View MoreThe Soil Health Card scheme helps farmers combat land degradation from imbalanced fertilizer use. It offers scientific soil analysis across 12 parameters and suggests balanced fertilizer doses. By promoting guided nutrient management, it boosts yields, cuts input costs, and supports sustainable, profitable farming.
Click to View MoreMajor meat and dairy companies emit more methane than the entire EU and UK combined, contributing significantly to global greenhouse gases. The top five producers release more emissions than major oil companies like BP and Shell. Methane from livestock, especially cattle, drives climate change and deforestation. Current industry solutions are insufficient, and urgent policy shifts toward emission targets, sustainable farming, and plant-rich diets are needed to meet climate goals.
Click to View MoreThe Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme supports micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems. It provides financial assistance to facilitate state-driven water conservation initiatives. This, in turn, enhances agricultural productivity, optimizes water usage, and increases farmer incomes.
Click to View MoreDongar cultivation is a traditional upland farming system practiced by the Kondh tribes of Odisha, where millets, pulses, and oilseeds are grown together on hill slopes. This eco-friendly method supports food security and biodiversity but is now threatened by the spread of eucalyptus monoculture. Government initiatives like the Odisha Millets Mission and NGO efforts aim to revive and protect this sustainable farming tradition for future generations.
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