Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released a report titled “Agriculture and Conservation.” The report explores the complex relationship between agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Agriculture directly threatens 34% of species on the IUCN Red List due to habitat conversion to croplands, pasturelands, plantations, and irrigation. Indirect threats include invasive species, nutrient loading, soil erosion, agrochemicals, and climate change.
On the positive side, agriculture provides habitat for about 17% of species on the IUCN Red List.

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The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2024 is published by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). The report focuses on the theme “Poverty Amid Conflict,” linking poverty data with violent conflict. Countries at war show higher deprivation across all 10 MPI indicators compared to non-conflict countries. 1.1 billion people (~18%) in 112 countries live in acute multidimensional poverty. India has the largest number of people in extreme poverty at 234 million. MPI measures poverty across education, health, and living standards. India introduced its National MPI (NMPI) in 2021, adding Maternal Health and Bank Account as indicators.

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The UN Emissions Gap Report is released annually by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The UN Emissions Gap Report tracks the gap between current emissions and the 1.5°C target. It highlights the urgent need for a 42% reduction in emissions by 2030 and 57% by 2035 to stay on target. The report links rising emissions to increased climate disasters, stressing the need for immediate action, especially from G20 nations, to support developing countries in transitioning to clean energy and addressing the impacts of climate change. The upcoming COP29 conference is crucial for setting new national climate action plans and increasing financial support.

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India ranks 176th in the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index with a score of 45.5, placing it among the five worst performers. The Nature Conservation Index (NCI), developed by Ben-Gurion University and BioDB.com, assesses land management, biodiversity threats, governance, and future conservation trends. India’s high pesticide use and soil pollution impact soil health, with a nitrogen sustainability index of 0.77. Marine conservation needs improvement, as only 0.2% of national waterways are protected, and no areas in India’s EEZ. Significant biodiversity risks include habitat loss, climate change, deforestation, and illegal wildlife trade. Strong political action and conservation laws are essential for sustainable development.

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India ranks 79 out of 142 in the 2024 Rule of Law Index by the World Justice Project. Top-ranked countries are Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Germany. The index assesses eight indicators: government constraints, corruption absence, open government, fundamental rights, security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice. India performs moderately in government constraints (60) and open government (44), reflecting its focus on governance. Poor scores in fundamental rights (102), security (98), and criminal justice (82) highlight issues with policing, rights protection, and delayed justice systems.

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The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, first published in 2004.
The bulletin analyzes greenhouse gas concentrations from the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch Programme. Global average CO2 reached 420 ppm, methane at 1934 ppb, and nitrous oxide at 336.9 ppb, significantly above pre-industrial levels. Methane and nitrous oxide levels increased, contributing to global warming. Drivers of the rise include high CO2 emissions from fossil fuels, vegetation fires, and reduced carbon absorption. The report urges immediate action to meet Paris Agreement goals and curb rising greenhouse gas levels.

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International Labour Organization (ILO) released the report titled ‘The impact of care responsibilities of women’s labour participation’. According to the report, 53% of women in India are outside the labor force due to care responsibilities, needing more investment in the care economy. Only 1.1% of men are out of work for similar reasons. The report emphasizes the need for early childhood care and education (ECCE) to boost women’s labor force participation and gender equality. In India, 97.8% of women and 91.4% of men are out of the workforce due to personal or family reasons. Globally, 708 million women and 40 million men are outside the labor force due to caregiving, highlighting a significant gender disparity.

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Singapore has the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 countries, as per the Henley Passport Index (October 2024). France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain rank second, with visa-free access to 192 countries. The United States ranks 8th, allowing visa-free access to 186 countries. India ranks 83rd, providing visa-free access to 58 countries. Asian countries like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea often lead the rankings, showing their strong global diplomatic ties.

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The Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) is a crucial report being drafted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It aims to offer policymakers a comprehensive assessment of environmental changes and effective solutions to combat pressing ecological issues. Scheduled for launch at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in December 2025, GEO-7 will cover a broad spectrum of environmental topics, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental health with economic and social stability, thereby influencing decisions across various sectors for sustainable development.

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The report, titled ‘Hunger Hotspots’ for the period between November 2024 and May 2025, was published recently. The new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) indicates that acute food insecurity is expected to worsen in 22 countries over the next six months. Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali are on the highest alert. Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, and Niger are newly added hunger hotspots. Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi, Somalia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe remain on the list. Climate issues like La Niña may increase floods in Southern Africa and cause drought in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.