Environmental Organisations: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)

Explanation

The Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific was launched by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on December 4, 2023, during COP28 in Dubai to mobilize $2 billion by 2030 for nature-based solutions such as reforestation, mangrove restoration, and sustainable agriculture. It aims to address climate change and biodiversity loss using blended finance, guarantees, and impact-linked payments to attract private capital, supporting SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Partners include the OPEC Fund, AFD, Saudi Fund for Development, ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility, IUCN, WWF, and Conservation International. ADB’s Mandate:

Established in 1966, headquartered in Manila, with 68 members (49 from Asia-Pacific). Provides $22 billion annually, committed $100 billion for climate finance (2019-2030). In 2023, 40% of approvals were climate-focused, including $434.25 million for Assam Solar Park and Rs 2,346 crore for the Ahmedabad Peri-Urban Project. Supports ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Global Context: Nature-based solutions absorb 55% of carbon through forests, oceans, and land ecosystems, vital for the Asia-Pacific, where 2/3 of GDP is nature-dependent. India’s Context: India, an ADB member, benefits from climate finance (e.g., $434.25 million for Assam solar park, Rs 2,346 crore for Ahmedabad Peri-Urban Project).Challenges include land acquisition issues, highlighting social safeguards. Options (b), (c) & (d) are incorrect: (b) AIIB (est. 2016, Beijing) focuses on infrastructure, not involved in this ADB-led hub. (c) NDB (est. 2015, BRICS, Shanghai) supports green energy but not linked to the hub. (d) IBRD (World Bank, est. 1944, Washington D.C.) supports climate goals but not part of this initiative.

Explanation

Central Ground Water Board monitors groundwater levels throughout the country on a regional scale, four times in a year during the months of March/April/May, August, November and January. For monitoring of ground water level, CGWB has a dedicated network of about over 30000 monitoring stations called "National Hydrograph Network Stations (NHNS)", which comprises open dug wells and purpose built bore/tube wells for water level monitoring called piezometers.

Statement 1 is incorrect: 256 of our approximately 700 districts have groundwater levels which are "critical" or "overexploited" as per the latest data from the Central Ground Water Board (2017). As per the report ‘National Compilation on Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India, 2017 out of the total 6881 assessment units (Blocks/Mandals/ Talukas) in the country, 1186 units in various States (17%) have been categorized as ‘Over-Exploited’, 313 units (5%) are ‘Critical’. This adds to 22%.

Statement 2 is correct: The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), established under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It operates under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. Its primary mandate is to regulate and control the development and management of groundwater resources across the country.

Statement 3 is correct: FAO research paper shows the countries with the largest extent of areas equipped for irrigation with groundwater, in absolute terms, are India (39 million ha), China (19 million ha) and the USA (17 million ha).

Explanation

Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) is a direct response to the Rio+20 Declaration, The Future We Want i.e. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro. PAGE serves as a framework to coordinate UN efforts in the green economy and to help nations meet and track the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership aims to place sustainability at the core of economic policies and practices, thereby advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It supports countries in reshaping their economic policies around sustainability to foster growth, create jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and strength-en ecological foundations.

Explanation

The UNFCCC Secretariat introduced the "Climate Neutral Now" initiative in 2015 to promote voluntary action towards climate neutrality. In 2016, during the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech (COP22), the UNFCCC Secretariat combined its "Climate Neutral Now" initiative with the "Momentum for Change" initiative, creating a new pillar focused on climate neutrality. The initiative aims to achieve a climate-neutral world by 2050, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. It provides a platform for recognizing and showcasing successful climate actions by non-Party stakeholders, including businesses, investors, cities, regions, and civil society.

Explanation

Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) operates through the existing national and international channels for political cooperation and dialogue. It became the main project of the Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) in 2015 with strategic focus on promoting the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its Sustainable Development Goals.

Statement 1 is correct: The Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) is an initiative of the European Union.

Statement 2 is correct: It was launched to enhance dialogue and cooperation on climate change, this initiative focuses on supporting developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are most vulnerable to its effects. It provides technical and financial assistance to help these nations integrate climate change into their development strategies and budgets.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization focused on the intersection of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a CEO-led community of over 200 sustainable businesses working towards a net-zero, nature-positive, and equitable future. Both WRI and WBCSD drive private-sector sustainability initiatives like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, but they are not directly linked to the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA).

Explanation

Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a voluntary alliance of governments, intergovernmental organisations, corporations, academic institutions, and organisations from civil society dedicated to enhancing air quality and defending the environment by taking steps to reduce short-lived climate pollutants.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the governments of Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States joined forces in 2012 to launch initiatives to handle short-lived climate pollutants as an urgent and collective concern. CCAC is not an initiative of G20 countries.

Statement 2 is correct: CCAC works to reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants which includes black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons. By addressing these pollutants, the coalition aims to achieve near-term climate benefits, improve air quality, and promote public health.

Explanation

TRAFFIC’s mission aligns with the long-term goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, envision-ing a world in harmony with nature. By 2050, it aims to ensure that biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored, and sustainably used, safeguarding ecosystem services, supporting a healthy planet, and providing essential benefits for all.

Statement 1 is incorrect: TRAFFIC is an independent non-gov-ernmental organization and operates as a strategic alliance between the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is not a bureau under UNEP. TRAFFIC was established in 1976 as a specialist group of the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN. It later evolved into a strategic alliance between WWF and IUCN, focusing on monitoring wildlife trade to support conservation efforts.

Statement 2 is correct: TRAFFIC works to monitor the wildlife trade in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It operates globally, with a network of offices and projects around the world, working to monitor and influence wildlife trade policies and practices.

Explanation

The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) initiative, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aims to identify and safeguard traditional agricultural systems worldwide. These systems are recognized for their unique landscapes, rich biodiversity, and the traditional knowledge of local communities. Three sites recognised as GI-AHS in India:

Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System of Kerala.

Koraput Traditional Agriculture of Odisha.

Pampore Saffron Heritage of Kashmir.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The GIAHS initiative supports the sustainability and viability of traditional agricultural system. However its primary goal is not to introduce modern technology or farming methods to enhance productivity. Instead, it focuses on preserving and promoting traditional practices that have proven sustainable over time.

Statement 2 is correct: The main objective of the GIAHS initiative is to recognize and protect traditional agricultural practices, along with their associated landscapes, biodiversity, and the cultural knowledge of local communities. This approach ensures the conservation of these systems for future generations.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The GIAHS designation does not automatically confer Geographical Indication (GI) status to agricultural products. While both GIAHS and GI aim to recognize and protect unique agricultural practices and products, they are separate initiatives with different objectives and processes. GI is accorded to products from a certain origin (e.g. Hyderabadi Biryani) and not to all traditional agricultural systems.

Explanation

BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organizations dedicated to the protection of birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity. Established in 1922 as the International Council for Bird Preservation, it has evolved into a worldwide network operating in over 100 countries.

Statement 1 is correct: BirdLife International functions as a global alliance of non-governmental organizations focused on bird conservation. Each partner represents a specific coun-try or territory, working collaboratively to achieve shared conservation goals.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The term "biodiversity hotspots" was introduced by British ecologist Norman Myers in 1988 to identify regions with significant levels of biodiversity under threat from human activities. This concept was later adopted and promoted by organizations such as Conservation International. It did not originate from BirdLife International.

Statement 3 is correct: BirdLife International is responsible for identifying and documenting Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). These sites are recognized for their critical importance to bird conservation and biodiversity. To date, over 13,000 IBAs have been identified worldwide, serving as a foundation for conservation planning and action.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: IUCN is an NGO, founded in October 1948 as the International Union for the Protection of Nature (or IUPN) following an international conference in Fon-tainebleau, France. Later the name was changed to International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). CITES is an international agreement between governments, aiming to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP and is located at Geneva, Switzerland.

Statement 2 is correct: IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects globally and brings governments, non-government organisations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy.

Statement 3 is correct: CITES is legally binding on its Parties but it does not replace national legislation. It provides a framework that each Party must implement through its own domestic laws to ensure the Convention’s provisions are enforced at the national level.