India's Green Investment Growth

India is projected to significantly increase its investments in green infrastructure and energy projects, with a five-fold growth expected over the next five years, reaching Rs 31 trillion by 2030, according to CRISIL. This growth is driven by government announcements, corporate plans, and on-ground progress.

Green Investment Breakdown

• Renewable Energy (RE): Rs 18.8 lakh crore
• Oil and Gas: Rs 3.3 trillion
• Transport and Automotive: Rs 4.1 trillion

Net-Zero Goals and NDC Commitments

• India requires $10 trillion investments by 2070 to achieve net-zero goals.
• The Updated First Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement includes: 
  • A 45% reduction in the carbon intensity of GDP by 2030 from 2005 levels.
  • Increasing the share of cumulative installed power capacity from non-fossil-fuel-based resources to 50%.

Decarbonisation in Road Transport

The road segment is a major contributor to carbon emissions, accounting for 90% of CO2 emissions in the transportation sector. CRISIL suggests a multi-faceted approach for decarbonisation, including:

• Creation of green financing pools through government-backed green bonds.
• Establishment of a national decarbonisation fund and public-private partnerships.
• Innovative financing like asset monetisation, which has raised over Rs 1.1 trillion for National Highways Authority of India.
• Funds should focus on sustainable construction materials, IoT-enabled road management, and green logistics hubs, with an emphasis on high-traffic corridors initially.

Renewable Energy in Indian Railways

Increased central budget allocations will lead to rapid growth in the production of renewable energy by Indian Railways, aiding in achieving net-zero carbon emissions and reducing operational costs. This will require:

• Supportive government policies, including subsidies for renewable energy and streamlined approvals.

Emerging Technologies and Financing

• For high-risk projects like green hydrogen, CCUS, and energy storage, government grants and incentives are essential.
• Private sector participation, specialised climate/venture funds, and multilateral involvement will play a crucial role.
• Blended finance and first-loss guarantee structures through multilateral organizations will help scale these technologies.

Water Cycle and Groundwater

Water is continuously moving through processes such as melting, evaporating, condensing, and circulating within the Earth's systems. This dynamic cycle involves water seeping into the soil and accumulating in underground reservoirs, which become essential sources of groundwater.

Advancements in the 20th Century

• Water Well Drilling: Significant advancements in drilling technology allowed for the extraction of larger quantities of groundwater.
• Pumping Technology: Enhanced pumping systems facilitated efficient groundwater extraction.
• Energy Access: Improved access to energy supported the widespread use of these technologies.
• Geological Knowledge: Better understanding of geological formations aided in identifying and accessing groundwater resources.

Importance of Groundwater

• Human Well-being: Groundwater is a critical resource that supports human health and livelihoods.
• Economic Development: It plays a vital role in boosting economic activities, especially in urban areas.

Despite its significance, groundwater is often misunderstood, undervalued, and poorly managed, posing challenges for sustainable usage.

Current Dependence

• Nearly 50 per cent of the world's urban population relies on groundwater, highlighting its critical importance.