Miscellaneous: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)

Explanation

Statement I is correct: The circular economy model aims to reduce resource extraction, encourage recycling and reuse, and design out waste. All these reduce energy consumption and emissions. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are reduced in several ways:

Lower extraction and processing of virgin materials (which is carbon-intensive). Emphasis on reuse, recycling, and resource efficiency. Waste reduction leads to less landfill methane and less incineration. Impact organisation Circle Economy’s Circularity Gap Report 2021 finds that circular economy strategies can cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 39%.

Statement II is correct: By emphasizing reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling, the circular economy significantly reduces the need for raw materials as inputs in production processes, conserving natural resources.

Statement III is correct: The circular economy focuses on reducing wastage in production by improving process efficiency, redesigning products for durability and easy repair, and adopting sustainable manufacturing practices. Statements II and III explain Statement I: Reducing raw material use (Statement II) and cutting production wastage (Statement III) both contribute to lower energy consumption and fewer emissions, which leads to a reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions (Statement I).

Explanation

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen and electric all have a role to play in the decarbonization of aviation. SAF is vitally important as it can address decarbonization of fuel over its lifecycle, and this is now available to be used in all turbine engines including in mid and long-range aircraft. Therefore, understanding the feedstock landscape as well as the technology pathways is integral to maximising the production and supply of SAF. The production of SAF starts with one of five main families of raw materials:

Corn grain Oil seeds Algae Other fats, oils, and greases Agricultural residues Forestry residues Wood mill waste Municipal solid waste streams Wet wastes (manures, wastewater treatment sludge) Dedicated energy crops.

Explanation

Distributed energy resources, or DERs, are small-scale energy systems that power a nearby location. DERs can be connected to electric grids or isolated, with energy flowing only to specific sites or functions. DERs include both energy generation technologies and energy storage systems. When energy generation occurs through distributed energy re-sources, it is referred to as distributed generation. Examples of distributed energy resources that can be installed include:

Roof top solar photovoltaic units Wind generating units Battery storage Batteries in electric vehicles used to export power back to the grid Combined heat and power units, or tri-generation units that also utilise waste heat to provide cooling Biomass generators, which are fuelled with waste gas or industrial and agricultural by-products. Open and closed cycle gas turbines Reciprocating engines (diesel, oil) Hydro and mini-hydro schemes Fuel cells.

Explanation

Statement-I is correct: Although India has significant uranium deposits, its reliance on coal for electricity production is higher compared to uranium. It constitutes 55% of the nation’s energy requirements. Statement-II is incorrect: For electricity generation, uranium enrichment to a level of 3 to 5 percent of the Uranium (235) isotope is necessary. Research reactors utilise uranium enriched to a minimum concentration of 20%. Uranium enriched to at least 90% is classified as weapons-grade uranium.

Explanation

The UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative was introduced in 2015 as a pilot project to investigate inventive approaches to financing sustainable infrastructure endeavours in developing nations. The initiative sought to capitalise on UNOPS’ proficiency and track record in providing infrastructure solutions that align with the requirements and ambitions of individuals and communities. The S3i initiative provides initial funding for significant projects in affordable housing, renewable energy, and health infrastructure. It does not emphasise investments in mass rapid transport infrastructure.

Explanation

The R2 Code of Practices (R2 Standard) is a set of guidelines designed to promote environmentally responsible practices in the electronics recycling industry. It provides a framework for recyclers to ensure that electronic waste (e-waste) is managed in a way that protects human health, safety, and the environment. The R2 Standard covers areas such as:

Safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials.

Data security and destruction.

Worker health and safety.

Environmental responsibility.

Explanation

The Himalayan nettle has gained attention as a sustainable source of textile fibre. The fibres extracted from the stems of this plant are strong, durable, and eco-friendly, making them suitable for producing textiles. This has significant potential for promoting sustainable livelihoods in rural and mountainous regions, especially in the Himalayas. Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) is not known for its use as an anti-malarial drug. Anti-malarial drugs are derived from plants like Artemisia annua (source of artemisinin) or Cinchona officinalis (source of quinine). Himalayan nettle is not recognized as a source of biodiesel. Biodiesel is usually derived from oil-rich plants like Jatropha, Pongamia, or algae. While Himalayan nettle is a fibrous plant but it is not widely used as a source of pulp for the paper industry. The paper industry primarily relies on wood pulp from trees like Eucalyptus, Bamboo, or agricultural residues like wheat straw and bagasse.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global partnership that includes governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and indigenous peoples. It was established to support efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).

Statement 2 is incorrect: The FCPF does not provide financial aid to universities, individual scientists, or institutions for scientific forestry research. Instead, it focuses on providing financial and technical assistance to countries for REDD+ readiness and implementation. The FCPF supports REDD+ efforts through two separate but complementary funds-The FCPF Readiness Fund and The FCPF Carbon Fund.

Statement 3 is correct: The FCPF assists countries in their REDD+ efforts by providing financial and technical assistance. This includes helping countries prepare for REDD+ implementation, develop national strategies, and build capacity for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of forest carbon emissions.

Explanation

The BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) is managed by the World Bank. This initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, promoting sustainable land-use practices. It seeks to promote reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the land sector, from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+), and from sustainable agriculture, as well as smarter land-use planning, policies and practices.

Explanation

In the Greendex 2009 report, India was ranked top in the world. The Greendex is a measure of consumer environmental behaviors, which was created by the National Geographic Society in collaboration with the international polling firm GlobeScan. The score reflects how environmentally responsible the population of a country is based on their consumer behavior, such as their attitudes and actions towards sustainability, including energy usage, waste management, and preferences for eco-friendly products. India’s top rank in Greendex 2009 highlighted the eco-friendly practices and sustainable consumption behaviors prevalent among Indian consumers compared to other nations.