Previous year UPSC prelims questions – Global environmental initiatives

1. Consider the following infrastructure sectors:

1. Affordable housing
2. Mass rapid transport
3. Health care
4. Renewable energy

On how many of the above does the UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus for its investments? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]

2. “Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]

3. Consider the following statements:

Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World.

Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]

4. The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, had been developed for

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]

5. With reference to the ‘New York, Declaration on Forests’, which of the following statements are correct?

1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests.
3. It is a legally binding international declaration.
4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities.
5. India was one of the signatories at its inception.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]

6. ‘R2 Code of Practices’ constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]

7. Consider the following statements:

1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]

8. In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]

9. The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]

10. “Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]

11. With reference to the ‘Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA)’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. GACSA is an outcome of the Climate Summit held in Paris in 2015.
2. Membership of GACSA does not create any binding obligations.
3. India was instrumental in the creation of GACSA.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]

12. Consider the following statements:

1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of G20 group of countries.
2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]

13. Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC):

1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]

14. The FAO accords the status of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?

1. To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity.
2. To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity, and knowledge systems of the local communities.
3. To provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such identifies GIAHS.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]

15. 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 portion of financial resources to these regions.
3. It is committed to bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating the desertification.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]

16. The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]

17. 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.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]

18. 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.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]

19. 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?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]

20.

1. Consider the following statements:
2. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
3. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]

21. 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.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]

22. 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?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]

23. ‘BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes’ is managed by the

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]

24. With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]

25. Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]

26. With reference to ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society and indigenous peoples.
2. It provides financial aid to universities, individual scientists and institutions involved in scientific forestry research to develop eco-friendly and climate adaptation technologies for sustainable forest management.
3. It assists the countries in their ‘REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+)’ efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance.

Select the correct answer using the code” given below.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]

27. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’:

1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO.
2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.
3. It is a movement to raise the awareness about the climate change and the need to save the planet.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]

28. With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]

29. With reference to a conservation organization called ‘Wetlands International’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which are signatories to Ramsar Convention.
2. It works at the field level to develop and mobilize knowledge, and use the practical experience to advocate for better policies.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]

30. Consider the following international agreements

1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
3. The World Heritage Convention

Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]

31. Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2011 Prelims]

32. The “Red Data Books” published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) contain lists of

1. Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots.
2. Threatened plant and animal species.
3. Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural resources in various countries.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below;

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2011 Prelims]

33. Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats-Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity:

1. Species richness
2. Vegetation density
3. Endemism
4. Ethno-botanical importance
5. Threat perception
6. Adaptation of flora and fauna to warm and humid conditions

Which three of the above are correct criteria in this context?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2011 Prelims]