Planetary Pressures-adjusted HDI

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently released the Human Development Report, 2020. India ranked 131 in the Human Development Index (HDI). Usually, the UNDP uses three major parameters to calculate the Human Development Index based on which the countries are ranked. They are Life Expectancy at birth, maternal mortality rate and political participation of women. This year, in 2020, for the first time the UNDP has introduced Planetary Pressures-adjusted HDI. However, it is an experimental metric and has not been yet adopted in calculating the HDI.

What is Planetary Pressures-Adjusted HDI?

The Planetary pressures-adjusted Human Development Index (PHDI) is an experimental metric that adjusts the Human Development Index (HDI) for planetary pressures. This index is similar to the Inequality-adjusted HDI adjustment, previously introduced by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It is the level of human development adjusted by carbon dioxide emissions per person and material footprint per capita. The material foot print is the amount of fossil fuels, metals and other resources consumed by a country to produce the required Goods and Services.

In an ideal scenario where there are no pressures on the planet, the PHDI equals the HDI. However, all countries of the world have substantial pressure from their part. If this new metric is taken into account, Ireland tops the list while India moves 8 positions up from the HDI rank of 131.

Key Findings of Human Development Report

• The Gross National Income per capita fell to 6,681 USD in 2019. It was 6,829 USD in 2018.
• The financial security and ownership of land reduced risk of gender-based violence and improved women security in India.
• Children in India, Cambodia and Thailand show more malnutrition-related issues
• In order to achieve the NDCs pledged by India, India has launched National Solar Mission. Solar capacity of India increased from 2.6 GW in 2014 to 30 GW in 2019. According to the report, India currently ranks fifth in the world for installed solar capacity.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020