December 6, 2025

Current Affairs

Methane Hotspot Warning for India

Context: A new UNEP report released at COP30 (Belém, Brazil) identifies India as a global methane hotspot, raising concerns as methane was missing from India’s national statement at the summit.

Methane (CH₄), though short-lived, is 80x more potent than CO₂ in global warming over 20 years, making it key to rapid climate action.

Key UNEP Findings

India emitted 31 Mt methane in 2020 ➝ 9% of global share
3rd-largest emitter globally after China & USA
G20 responsible for 65% of global methane
Waste burning methane ↑ 64% since 1995 (Global rise: 43%)
Agriculture emits 20 Mt (12% of global agricultural methane)
Rice methane likely ↑ 8% by 2030
Energy sector methane: 4.5 Mt/year

India’s Methane Profile

Sector	Methane Emissions	Status
Livestock	~20 Mt	Largest source; enteric fermentation
Rice cultivation	Major contributor	Likely to increase by 2030
Waste burning & landfills	7.4 Mt	Rapid growth; urban challenge
Energy sector	4.5 Mt	Coal mining, leakages

Why India Avoided Methane Commitments at COP30

Agriculture dependency: 54% workforce relies on farming
Food security priority for 1.4 billion population
India’s NDC lacks agricultural methane targets
Previously declined the Global Methane Pledge (2021)
Focus remains on renewables, hydrogen & forests rather than farm-based mitigation

Way Forward for India

✔ Farm Diversification
Promote millets & pulses through Shri Anna Mission to reduce paddy-linked methane

✔ Crop Residue Management
Happy Seeder, balers & PUSA Bio-Decomposer to curb stubble burning

✔ Methane Capture & Utilization
Support CBG plants & biogas under SATAT Scheme

✔ Waste Management Reform
Segregation, landfill capping & biomethanation
Example: Indore biogas model

✔ Satellite-Based Monitoring
Leverage EU Copernicus-like systems with ISRO collaboration

✔ Policy Integration
Include methane targets in updated NDCs & state climate plans

Methane mitigation offers fastest climate cooling gains before 2050 — critical for India to balance economic growth, food systems, and climate leadership.

UN & WHO Warn of Rising Cervical Cancer Deaths

The United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have issued a global alert on rising cervical cancer deaths as the world observed the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day on 17 November 2025. The day was officially designated by the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) to accelerate international commitments towards eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat.

About Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer develops in the cervix— the lower part of the uterus—mainly due to persistent infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Importantly, cervical cancer is highly preventable, and early vaccination combined with periodic screening drastically reduces mortality.

Global Burden

It is the 4th most common cancer in women globally, causing one death every two minutes (WHO).
In 2022, the world recorded 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths.
The South-East Asia region contributes nearly one-fourth of the global burden.
94% of global deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, primarily due to limited access to screening, late detection and treatment shortages.

India’s Burden

India remains one of the worst-affected countries:

India contributed around one-fifth of global cases and nearly a quarter of global deaths (2020).
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women, after breast cancer.
Screening levels remain extremely low: <10% of women have ever been screened; only 2% have undergone screening in the last five years (NFHS-5).

About Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is a double-stranded DNA virus infecting skin and mucosal surfaces.

200+ types exist—classified as low-risk (warts) and high-risk (cancer-causing).
HPV types 16 & 18 account for ~99% of cervical cancer cases.

HPV Vaccination & Prevention Strategies

Vaccines

Six HPV vaccines are globally available, all targeting high-risk HPV 16 and 18.
India developed its first indigenous quadrivalent HPV vaccine (qHPV) called Cervavac, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, with support from the Department of Biotechnology.

Target Group

Vaccination is most effective for girls aged 9–14 years, before sexual exposure.

WHO Elimination Strategy (2020)

To eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, WHO recommends the 90-70-90 targets:

90% of girls fully vaccinated by age 15
70% of women screened at ages 35 & 45
90% of women with cervical disease receive treatment

India’s Policy Steps

NTAGI has recommended integrating the HPV vaccine into the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
The 2024–25 Union Budget approved phased free vaccination for girls aged 9–14, marking a major step toward national cervical cancer elimination.

Cervical cancer is among the few cancers that can be prevented, detected early, and cured. Scaling up vaccination, expanding screening, and strengthening health systems are essential for India and the world to meet the 2030 elimination goal.