current affairs 16 December 2022

Tokyo makes solar panels mandatory for new homes built after 2025.

• The Tokyo local assembly has passed a new regulation, which stated that all new houses in Tokyo built by large-scale homebuilders after April 2025 must install solar power panels to cut household carbon emissions.
• Currently, Japan stands at fifth spot in the world's largest carbon emitters list.
• This mandate requires about 50 major builders to equip homes of up to 2,000 square metres (21,500 square feet) with renewable energy power sources, mainly solar panels.

Jal Shakti Minister inaugurates 7th India IWIS 2022.

• Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has inaugurated the 7th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS 2022) at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on 15th December 2022.
• 2022 Theme: Restoration and Conservation of Small Rivers in a Large Basin.
• Focus: On the select aspects of Mapping and Convergence of 5Ps - People, Policy, Plan, Programme and Project.
• Aim: To give an insight into the potential causes for divergence and formulate a strategy to achieve.

G-7 approves 15.5 billion US dollar deal with Vietnam.

• A group of nine (G7, Norway and Denmark) rich industrialized nations have approved a deal to provide 15.5 billion US dollars to Vietnam.
• Reason: To help the Southeast Asian nation move faster from coal power to renewable energy, cutting its climate-damaging pollution.
• This grant will help Vietnam to reduce its emissions to net zero by 2050.
• It is a goal which experts say needs to be met globally to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius.

US Wildlife officials declare "Nevada wildflower" as endangered species.

• The U.S. wildlife officials have declared a Nevada wildflower as endangered species.
• It is found on a high-desert ridge, where a lithium mine is planned to help meet the growing demand for electric car batteries.
• The Fish and Wildlife Service has formally listed Tiehm’s buckwheat and its accompanying area of 910 acres for the 6-inch-tall flower with yellow blooms.
• Ioneer (Australian mining company) is planning to dig for lithium where the flower grows.

Tata Steel becomes official partner of Men's Hockey World Cup.

• Tata Steel Limited has signed an MoU with Hockey India to become an Official Partner of the FIH Hockey Men's World Cup 2023.
• The 15th edition of the Hockey Men's World Cup will take place in Bhubaneswar-Rourkela from January 13 to January 29, 2023.
• It will be the fourth time that India will be hosting the prestigious tournament after having played hosts in 1982 in Bombay, 2010 in New Delhi, and 2018 in Odisha.
• A total of 16 nations will take part in the tournament.