Prelims Questions from Previous Years – With Answers & Explanations on UNFCCC, COPs, Climate Agreements, India’s commitments, and related mechanisms.

 

 Prelims Questions from Previous Years – With Answers & Explanations

on UNFCCC, COPs, Climate Agreements, India’s commitments, and related mechanisms.

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✅ Question 1: UPSC Prelims 2023

Q. With reference to “Climate Action Tracker (CAT)”, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a database created by coalition of research organizations tracking climate actions of countries.

2. It monitors whether countries are meeting their nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

3. India is rated as “Highly insufficient” on this tracker.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

A. 1 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 2 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

✔️Answer: C. 1 and 2 only

📝Explanation:

• Climate Action Tracker (CAT) is an independent scientific analysis tracking climate action by countries.

• It assesses NDCs and if countries are on track to meet the Paris Agreement.

• As of 2022–2023, India was rated as “Almost sufficient,” not “Highly insufficient.” Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

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✅ Question 2: UPSC Prelims 2022

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Montreal Protocol is associated with climate change.

2. Kyoto Protocol is legally binding on developed countries to reduce GHG emissions.

3. Paris Agreement replaced the Kyoto Protocol.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

✔️Answer: B. 2 and 3 only

📝Explanation:

• Montreal Protocol is primarily about ozone-depleting substances, not climate change directly.

• Kyoto Protocol (1997) had binding emission reduction targets for developed countries.

• Paris Agreement (2015) is more inclusive and replaced Kyoto as the key global framework.

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✅ Question 3: UPSC Prelims 2021

Q. With reference to the “Paris Agreement”, consider the following statements:

1. It is a legally binding treaty on climate change.

2. It aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C.

3. It allows each country to determine and report their own emission targets.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

✔️Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

📝Explanation:

• Paris Agreement is legally binding in terms of reporting, but not on achieving targets.

• Goal: Limit warming to 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.

• Countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

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✅ Question 4: UPSC Prelims 2020

Q. With reference to the “United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)”, consider the following statements:

1. It is the only legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.

2. It aims to restore productivity of degraded land and desertified areas.

3. India is a signatory to the convention.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

✔️Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

📝Explanation:

• UNCCD was adopted in 1994.

• India hosted the 14th COP of UNCCD in 2019.

• Focus: Sustainable land use, especially in arid regions.

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✅ Question 5: UPSC Prelims 2019

Q. The ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities’ (CBDR) is often mentioned in the context of:

A. Nuclear disarmament

B. Space exploration

C. International trade

D. Climate change negotiations

✔️Answer: D. Climate change negotiations

📝Explanation:

CBDR is a core principle of the UNFCCC recognizing that all countries are responsible for addressing global environmental destruction, but not equally.

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✅ Question 6: UPSC Prelims 2018

Q. Which of the following statements regarding the Paris Agreement is/are correct?

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015 under the UNFCCC.

2. The agreement aims to keep the global temperature rise below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

3. It came into force in 2020.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

✔️Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

📝Explanation:

• The Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, but it entered into force in 2016, not 2020.

• It aims to keep warming below 2°C, pursuing efforts for 1.5°C.