All questions of Climate Change for UPSC CSE Exam

Here are a few true statements about India:

1. India is the seventh-largest country in the world by land area, covering approximately 3.29 million square kilometers.
2. India is located in South Asia and shares its borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
3. India is the second-most populous country in the world, with a population of over 1.3 billion people.
4. India is known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. It is home to various religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
5. India gained independence from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947, and is now a sovereign democratic republic.
6. Hindi and English are the official languages of India, while there are also numerous regional languages spoken across the country.
7. The Indian economy is one of the largest in the world and is classified as a mixed economy. It has a strong service sector, including information technology, telecommunications, and financial services.
8. India has a parliamentary system of government and is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories.
9. Major cities in India include Mumbai (financial capital), Delhi (national capital), Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
10. India has a variety of famous landmarks and tourist attractions, such as the Taj Mahal, Jaipur's Pink City, Kerala's backwaters, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and the beaches of Goa.

Please note that while these statements are generally true, there may be more specific details and nuances to consider regarding each statement.

The intended nationally determined contribution (INDC) of India aims to contribute towards the global fight against climate change. The correct option is (b) Only 1 and 2.

Explanation:
1. Reducing emission intensity by 33-35%: India has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emission intensity by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030. This means that India aims to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases it emits per unit of GDP.

2. 40% electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resource by 2030: India aims to achieve 40% of its electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. This means that India aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to 175 GW by 2022 and further to 450 GW by 2030.

3. Complete elimination of ozone-depleting substances by 2030: While India has taken steps towards phasing out ozone-depleting substances, it has not committed to complete elimination by 2030 as per its INDC.

Therefore, the correct answer is (b) Only 1 and 2.

Global Environment Facility (GEF)
- The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established as the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1991, not 2011.
- GEF provides grants and concessional funding to developing countries for projects that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable development.

Green Climate Fund (GCF)
- The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established in 2010 as a financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to help developing countries in their efforts to combat climate change.
- GCF supports projects and programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities to the impacts of climate change.

Clean Technology Fund
- The Clean Technology Fund (CTF) is a multilateral climate fund that was established in 2008.
- While CTF is one of the largest multilateral climate funds, it is not the first largest. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is currently the largest multilateral climate fund.
Therefore, none of the statements provided in the options are completely accurate. The correct answer is option 'D'.

Explanation:

India:
- India has the lowest per capita income among major countries.
- Despite having a low per capita income, India also has lower per capita CO2 emissions compared to the EU. This can be attributed to factors such as a large population, reliance on renewable energy sources, and lower levels of industrialization.

USA:
- The USA has the highest per capita CO2 emissions among major countries.
- In contrast to India, the USA has a higher per capita income, which can lead to higher levels of consumption and industrial activities, resulting in higher CO2 emissions.

Conclusion:
- Both statements are correct as they compare the per capita income and CO2 emissions of India and the USA accurately. India's low per capita income is accompanied by lower CO2 emissions, while the USA's higher per capita income is reflected in its higher CO2 emissions.

Explanation:
- The correct answer is option C, which means both statements 1 and 2 are correct. Let's analyze each statement in detail.

Statement 1:
- The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to combat climate change by keeping global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- The agreement does differentiate between developed and developing countries in terms of the implementation of mitigation actions.
- Developed countries are expected to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and providing financial and technological support to developing countries.
- Developing countries, on the other hand, are encouraged to implement mitigation actions voluntarily, with the support of developed countries.

Statement 2:
- The Paris Agreement will come into force only when at least 55 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) accept and approve it.
- Additionally, these 55 parties must account for at least 55% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.
- This requirement ensures that the agreement has broad international support and that major emitters are included in the efforts to address climate change.
- The threshold of 55 parties and 55% emissions was set to ensure that the agreement has sufficient global participation and impact.

Conclusion:
- Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.
- The Paris Agreement does differentiate between developed and developing countries in terms of implementation of mitigation actions.
- The agreement will come into force only when at least 55 parties to the UNFCCC, accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions, accept and approve it.

Explanation:

Statement 1: The transport sector is the largest contributor to GHG emissions.

- The statement is true. The transport sector is indeed the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- The transport sector includes various modes of transportation such as cars, trucks, ships, airplanes, and trains. These modes of transportation primarily rely on fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, which release carbon dioxide (CO2) and other GHGs when burned.
- According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the transport sector accounted for approximately 24% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2016, making it the largest contributor among all sectors.
- The rapid growth in the number of vehicles, especially in developing countries, has led to a significant increase in GHG emissions from the transport sector. As a result, reducing emissions from this sector has become a key focus in mitigating climate change.

Statement 2: CO2 concentration is higher than any other GHG.

- The statement is false. While carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most abundant greenhouse gases, it is not necessarily higher in concentration than other GHGs.
- Other important GHGs include methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). These gases have different global warming potentials (GWP) and lifetimes in the atmosphere.
- Methane, for example, has a much higher GWP than CO2 over a 20-year time period, although its concentration in the atmosphere is much lower. Methane is primarily emitted from sources such as livestock, rice cultivation, and the extraction and transport of fossil fuels.
- Nitrous oxide, another potent GHG, is released from agricultural and industrial activities, as well as the burning of fossil fuels and solid waste.
- The concentrations of these GHGs and their impacts on climate change are assessed by scientific organizations such as the IPCC. The global concentrations of GHGs are measured in parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb).

In conclusion, statement 1 is true as the transport sector is indeed the largest contributor to GHG emissions. However, statement 2 is false as CO2 concentration is not necessarily higher than other GHGs.