Q97 · UPSC Prelims 2016 · Set A · Environment and Ecology

← Q96 Q98 →

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

Correct answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation

  1. A

    1 and 3 only

    Statement 1 (signed by all UN members, in effect in 2017) is false: not every UN member had signed, and the Agreement entered into force in November 2016 after the ratification threshold. Statement 3 inflates climate finance to $1000 billion a year. 1 and 3 only is not the key.

  2. B

    2 only

    Statement 2 correctly records the Paris temperature goal: hold the increase well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue 1.5°C. Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect. 2 only is the official key.

  3. C

    2 and 3 only

    Statement 3’s $1000 billion a year from 2020 is wrong; the political pledge discussed was on the order of $100 billion a year, and ‘historical responsibility’ is not packaged in the Agreement as that dollar figure. 2 and 3 only therefore fails.

  4. D

    1, 2 and 3

    All three cannot stand when 1 and 3 are false.

Summary. Official key is (b) 2 only. The Paris Agreement (COP-21, 2015) centres nationally determined contributions and the 2°C / 1.5°C temperature aim. It did not come into force only in 2017 as a universal UN signing, nor did developed countries commit $1000 billion annually. Climate finance in the surrounding decisions referred to mobilising $100 billion a year as a floor, later to be scaled. Statement 2 is the only accurate statement in the set.

Same topic · past papers

UPSC has asked this before

These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.

  1. 2019 · Q34 · General Studies · 2 marks

    Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of 'methane hydrate? 1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits. 2. Large deposits of 'methane hydrate' are found

    View answer →

  2. 2025 · Q87 · General Studies · 2 marks

    Consider the following statements: I. On the dissolution of the House of the People, the Speaker shall not vacate his/her office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution. II. According to the provisions of the Constitution of India, a Member of the House of the People on being elected as Speaker shall resign from his/her political Ammediately party III. The Speaker of the House of the People may be removed from his/her office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then Members of the House, provided that no resolution shall be moved unless at least fourteen days' notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    View answer →

PDF