Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)
7 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies (Environment and Ecology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–7 of 7 questions
UPSC 2016Environment and Ecology · Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies
Q1. 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 greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2 degrees C or even 1.5 degrees 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.
Explanation
Paris Summit COP21-2015 is a legally binding Inter-national Treaty on Climate Change. It was adopted by 195 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 & entered into force on 4 November 2016. It requires all parties to put forward their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which are voluntary in nature.
Statement 2 is correct: Paris Summit COP21 aims to limit global warming due emission of green house gas emissions to below 2 degree Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. It requires all parties to put forward their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which are voluntary in nature. Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect: The Treaty was only "agreed" by 195 Parties in Paris at the conference. The agreement will en-ter into force only after 55 countries that account for at least 55% of global emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification. Developed countries will work to define a clear roadmap on ratcheting up climate finance to USD 100 billion (not USD 1000 billion) by 2020.
Exam tip:
For S1, "All members of UN" is too extreme to be true and For S3, $1000bn is too impractical to be true, hence both are likely false.
UPSC 2016Environment and Ecology · Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies
Q2. 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?
Explanation
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global objectives established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals address various global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice, with a target to achieve them by 2030. The SDGs replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015, which started a global effort in 2000 to tackle the indignity of poverty.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Club of Rome, established in 1968, is known for its 1972 report titled "The Limits to Growth," which discussed the potential consequences of unchecked economic and population growth. While this report highlighted the need for sustainable practices, it did not propose the SDGs. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were born at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Devel-opment in Rio de Janeiro in 2012. The SDGs were formulated through a United Nations-led process, culminating in their adoption in 2015.
Statement 2 is correct: In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly approved 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) with 169 associated targets which are to be achieved by 2030.
UPSC 2016Environment and Ecology · Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies
Q3. 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 portions of financial resources to these regions. 3. It is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating the desertification. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was established in 1994. It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. There are 197 Parties to the Convention, including 196 country Parties and the European Union. The Convention, based on the principles of participation, partnership and decentralization, is a multilateral commitment to mitigate the impact of land degradation. Its flag-ship publication includes Global Land Outlook.
Statement 1 is correct: Its 197 Parties aim, through innovative national schemes and global partnerships, to implement the Convention and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The end goal is to protect the land from overuse and drought, so it can continue to provide food, water and energy.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the dry-lands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and people can be found. It is not particularly focussed towards South Asia and North Africa region.
Statement 3 is correct: The UNCCD emphasizes a bottom-up approach, recognizing that sustainable land management is most effective when local communities are actively involved. It promotes the participation of local populations, particularly women and youth, in decision-making processes related to land management and desertification mitigation.
UPSC 2016Environment and Ecology · Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies
Q4. Consider the following pairs: Terms sometimes seen in the news: Their origin 1. Annex-I Countries: Cartagena Protocol 2. Certified Emissions Reductions: Nagoya Protocol 3. Clean Development Mechanisms: Kyoto Protocol Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Explanation
Pairs 1 is incorrectly matched: Annex-I countries refer to developed countries listed under the Kyoto Protocol with binding commitments to reduce emissions. The Cartagena Protocol deals with biosafety and regulates the transboundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs), not emissions reduction. Pairs 2 is incorrectly matched: Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs) are issued for emission reductions under the Kyoto Protocol, not the Nagoya Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol focuses on access to genetic resources and fair sharing of benefits, not emission reductions.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the UNFCCC enables developing countries to receive funds from developed nations for adopting technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The CDM is the main source of income for the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund, which was established to finance adaptation projects and programmes in developing country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
Additional insight:
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety adopted in 2000 regulates living modified organisms (LMOs) from biotechnology to prevent biodiversity risks. It mandates the Advance Informed Agreement (AIA), ensuring importing countries receive information before transboundary movement. It promotes biosafety while balancing biotechnology benefits. Nagoya Protocol adopted in 2010 ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, emphasizing prior informed consent and indigenous rights. It strengthens biodiversity conservation while promoting sustainable resource use, supporting research and traditional knowledge. Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997 commits developed nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% below 1990 levels during 2008-2012. It introduced carbon trading mechanisms and "common but differentiated responsibilities," later extended by the Doha Amendment (2012-2020). India is signatory and has ratified all the above protocols.
UPSC 2016Environment and Ecology · Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies
Q5. 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.
Explanation
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) was launched by Germany and the European Commission in 2007. It is a global effort to raise awareness of the economic advantages of biodiversity. TEEB’s objective is to raise attention to the rising costs associated with biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and to bring together experts in science, economics, and policy to facilitate actionable solutions.
Statement 1 is incorrect: It is an international initiative, launched by Germany and the European Commission. The second phase of the TEEB study is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with support from a number of other organizations.
Statement 2 is correct: It is an international initiative to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity. Its principal objective is to mainstream the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services into decision-making at all levels.
Statement 3 is correct: Its objective is to highlight the growing cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. It follows a structured approach to valuation that assists decision-mak-ers in recognizing, demonstrating, and capturing the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.
UPSC 2016Environment and Ecology · Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies
Q6. 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.
Explanation
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is a mechanism developed by Parties to the UNFCCC. In order to provide incentives for developing countries to cut emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths, it sets a financial value for the carbon contained in forests. For activities based on results, the developing countries will be compensated. The UN-REDD Programme has identified the following three topics for supporting national REDD+ governance structures:
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 The REDD+ goes beyond simply deforestation and forest degradation by including the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
UPSC 2016Environment and Ecology · Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies
Q7. 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?
Explanation
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive action plan for sustainable development, adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), commonly known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The number "21" refers to an agenda for the 21st century. It’s objective is to achieve Global sustainable development.
Statement 1 is correct: Agenda 21 serves as a comprehensive plan of action for sustainbility to be taken globally, nationally, and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, governments, and major groups in every area where humans im-pact the environment.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Agenda 21 is a product of the Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environment and Development) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in Johannesburg in 2002, reaffirmed the commitment to Agenda 21 and aimed to assess progress and implement further actions
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2016
(b) 2 only
2
2016
(b) 2 only
3
2016
(c) 1 and 3 only
4
2016
(c) 3 only
5
2016
(c) 2 and 3 only
6
2016
(d) 1, 2 and 3
7
2016
(a) 1 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies?
This page covers 7 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies (Environment and Ecology), asked from 2011 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies?
Questions on Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies (Environment and Ecology) are available for 12 years, from 2011 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
