UPSC Prelims 2016 · GS Paper I
Question 30: Environment and Ecology
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 Mechanism | Kyoto Protocol |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Annex-I countries are the industrialised countries listed in the UNFCCC (1992) that take the lead in cutting emissions; the Cartagena Protocol is a biosafety agreement on living modified organisms. Certified Emission Reductions are credits earned from Clean Development Mechanism projects under the Kyoto Protocol, not the Nagoya Protocol, which deals with access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources. The CDM is a Kyoto mechanism, so only pair 3 is right.
- 1. Annex-I countries originate in the UNFCCC; the Cartagena Protocol is on biosafety.
- 2. Certified Emission Reductions arise under the Kyoto Protocol, not the Nagoya Protocol.
- 3. The Clean Development Mechanism is a Kyoto Protocol mechanism.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Pairs 1 and 2 are both wrong.
- (b) Pair 2 is wrong: Certified Emission Reductions come from the Kyoto Protocol.
- (c) Right: only the Clean Development Mechanism-Kyoto Protocol pair is correct.
- (d) Pairs 1 and 2 are wrong, so 'all three' fails.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.