Q. 1. The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the
news in the context of
(a) pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected
Middle East
(b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
(c) capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank
(d) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development
Goals
Self-explanatory
Q. 2. What is/are the importance/importances of the ‘United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification’?
1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and
supportive international partnerships.
2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its
Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portion of financial resources to these regions.
3. It is committed to bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people
in combating the desertification.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer. (c)
Explanation
Desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity, were identified as the
greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
Established in 1994, UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking
environment and development to sustainable land management.
• The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known
as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
The Convention’s 195 parties work together to improve the living conditions for people in
drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the effects of
drought.
The UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the
participation of local people in combating desertification and land degradation.
• Statement 2 is wrong: There is no such provision that the UNCCD secretariat allocates
majority of resources to the South Asian and North African regions, even though it focuses
on these regions.
Q. 3. Consider the following pairs
Terms sometimes Their origin
seen in the news
1. Annex-I Countries : Cartagena Protocol
2. Certified Emissions Reductions : Nagoya Protocol
3. Clean Development Mechanism : Kyoto Protocol
Which of the pairs given above is / are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer. (c)
All the given terms are related to Kyoto Protocol.
Thus, only 3 is correctly matched.
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), created multilaterally under the UNFCCC is
one of the mitigation instruments under the Kyoto Protocol. CDM allows a country with an
emission-reduction commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to implement an
emission-reduction project in developing countries. Such projects can earn saleable
“Certified Emission Reduction” (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2, which
can be counted towards meeting Kyoto targets.
Annex-l countries are parties to Kyoto protocol.
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Q. 4. In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Great
Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat?
(a) Sand deserts of northwest India
(b) Higher Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir
(c) Salt marshes of western Gujarat
(d) Western Ghats
Answer. (d)
Explanation:
Great Hornbills are found in:
• Western Ghats
• Himalayan foothills in Uttaranchal to south Nepal and Bhutan
• North-east India
Q. 5. Which of the following best describes/describe the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the
Government of India?
1. Incorporating environmental benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets
thereby implementing the ‘green accounting’
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agricultural output so as to
ensure food security to one and all in the future
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a
combination of adaptation and mitigation measures
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer. (c)
Explanation
The ‘National Mission for Green India’ (GIM) is one of the 8 Missions outlined under the
‘National Action Plan on Climate Change’ (NAPCC). It aims at protecting, restoring and
enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover and responding to climate change by a
combination of adaptation and mitigation measures. It envisages a holistic view of greening;
and focuses on multiple ecosystem services, especially, biodiversity, water, biomass,
preserving mangroves, wetlands, critical habitats etc. along with carbon sequestration as a
co-benefit.
Statements 1 and 2 are not the aims of Green India Mission.
Q. 6. What is/are unique about ‘Kharai camel’ a breed found in India?
1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.
2. It survives by grazing on mangroves.
3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer. (a)
Explanation
Statements 1 & 2 are correct: The Kharai camel grazes on mangroves and is tolerant to
saline water. It is found only in Gujarat’s coastal areas. It is capable of swimming up to 3 kms
into the sea in search of mangroves.
3rd statement is wrong: It can be domesticated.
Given the breed’s ability to survive both on land and sea, the Kharai camel is one of the most
preferred choices of graziers in the arid coastal region of Kachchh. People consume its milk,
while male calves are sold for economic returns (females are not sold because they are
considered sacred).
Q. 7. Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant
which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of
India has it been discovered?
(a) Andaman Islands
(b) Anaimalai Forests
(c) Maikala Hills
(d) Tropical rain forests of northeast
Answer. (a)
Explanation:
Current affairs based question.
Musa indandamanensis, a sweet species of banana with orange pulp, has been discovered
in the islands of Andamans.
Q. 8. With reference to an initiative called “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
(TEEB)” which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is an initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF and World Economic Forum.
2. It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of
biodiversity.
3. It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and
capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer. (c)
Explanation:• Statement 1 is wrong: ‘The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity’ (TEEB) is managed
by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as part of its Green Economy
Initiative (GEI). (IMF & WB have nothing to do with it)
• Statements 2 & 3 are correct.
Q. 9. Which of the following statements is/are correct? Proper design and effective
implementation of UN REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to
1. protection of biodiversity
2. resilience of forest ecosystems
3. poverty reduction
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer. (d)
Explanation
The UN-REDD Programme has identified the following three topics for supporting national
REDD+ governance structures, with an overarching principle of stakeholder participation:
Country-led multi-stakeholder governance assessments that contribute to the development
and implementation of national REDD+ strategies (for tackling forest degradation and
biodiversity loss) and nationally owned monitoring frameworks
Social standards, including poverty and gender Land and/or carbon tenure and the role of
REDD+ within national land use strategies
Also Read: UPSC Prelims 2017 Solved Questions on Environment & Ecology Topic
Q. 10. What is Greenhouse Gas Protocol?
(a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand,
quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions
(b) It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies
(c) It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United
Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022
(d) It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank
Answer. (a)
Explanation
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the most widely used international
accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage
greenhouse gas emissions.
It is a decade-long partnership between the ‘World Resources Institute’ (WRI) and the ‘World
Business Council for Sustainable Development’ (WBCSD).
It is working with businesses, governments, and environmental groups around the world to
build a new generation of credible and effective programs for tackling climate change.
Q. 11. With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following
statements:
1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development.
2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg
in 2002.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. (a)
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Agenda 21 is a non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan of
the United Nations with regard to sustainable development.
Statement 2 is wrong: It is a product of the Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environment
and Development) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
Q. 12. ‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangam Committee Report’, sometimes seen
in the news, are related to
(a) constitutional reforms
(b) Ganga Action Plan
(c) linking of rivers
(d) protection of Western Ghats
Answer. (d)
Explanation
The Kasturirangan panel was set up to study the Gadgil committee report on the Western
Ghats. The Kasturirangan report seeks to bring just 37% of the Western Ghats under the
Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) zones down from the 64%suggested by the Gadgil report.
Q. 13. On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label?
1. Ceiling fans
2. Electric geysers
3. Tubular fluorescent lamps
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer. (d)
Explanation
The Bureau initiated the Standards & Labeling programme for equipment and appliances in
2006 to provide the consumer an informed choice about the energy saving and thereby the
cost, saving potential of the relevant marketed product.
The scheme is invoked for 21 equipment/ appliances.
All the given options in the questions are correct.
Q. 14. Consider the following statements:
1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change
Conference in 2015.
2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. (a)
Explanation
• Statement 1 is correct: India and France have launched an International Solar Alliance to
boost solar energy in developing countries. The initiative was launched at the UN Climate
Change Conference in Paris.
• Statement 2 is wrong: It will be a common platform for cooperation among solar resource
rich countries lying fully or partially between the
Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The alliance includes around 120 countries (not all UN
members).
Q. 15. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of
the following statements is/are correct?
1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into
effect in 2017.
2. The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in
average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2°C or even 1.5°C
above pre-industrial levels.
3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming
and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope
with climate change.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer. (b)
Explanation
Statement 2 is correct.
Statement 1 is wrong: The agreement is scheduled to go into effect from 2020.
Statement 3 is wrong: Developed countries will work to define a clear roadmap on ratcheting
up climate finance to USD 100 billion (not USD 1000 billion) by 2020.
Q. 16. Consider the following statements:
1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think
tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. (b)
Explanation
Statement 1: The first report of the Club of Rome was the famous “The limits to growth”
thesis brought out in 1972.
• While the report did talk about the need of reducing our consumption habits and
sustainable development, it is hard to conclude that the SDGs were first proposed by them.
• This is because SDGs are a comprehensive set of goals that include not only
environmental conservation, but also reducing poverty, ensuring education, curbing
malnutrition and hunger etc. So, we believe 1 should be wrong.
Statement 2 is definitely correct: It is officially known as “Transforming our world: the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
Q. 17. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are
normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?
1. Carbon dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide
4. Sulfur dioxide
5. Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer. (b)
Explanation
AQI considers 8 pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, 03, NH3, and Pb
To Note Co2 is not included in it remember.
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