Ramesh Singh Test: Sustainability and Climate Change: India and The World - 2 - UPSC MCQ

Statement 1: Correct. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued India's first Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) in two parts, raising a total of ₹16,000 crores. This aligns with the information given about the Indian government's involvement in green bonds.

Statement 2: Correct. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 has indeed undergone multiple amendments, with the most recent one in 2022 rationalizing the schedules from six to two. This information is consistent with the details provided on wildlife protection.

Statement 3: Incorrect. The global per capita plastic consumption is much higher than India's per capita plastic consumption. India's per capita plastic consumption is 11 kg, whereas the global average is 28 kg.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only. The solution aligns perfectly with the correct answers, ensuring accuracy and clarity.

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) primarily focuses on promoting solar energy among countries situated between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. By collaborating on utilizing solar power, the ISA aims to enhance solar energy use, address energy needs, and collectively work on sustainable practices. This initiative plays a crucial role in harnessing renewable energy sources and combating climate change on a global scale.

Green bonds have gained popularity due to their ability to raise funds for environmentally friendly projects at a lower cost compared to regular bonds. This cost advantage makes them an attractive option for investors looking to support sustainability initiatives while also seeking financial returns.

All three statements are correct as per the provided text on India's INDCs and climate change strategies:
1. India's INDC 2015: The first statement is correct. India did commit to achieving 40% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030 as part of its INDC presented in 2015.
2. Emission Intensity Reduction: The second statement is also correct. India's target to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% compared to 2005 levels by 2030 was clearly mentioned in the INDC.
3. Lifestyle for Environment (LIEE): The third statement is accurate. The LIEE initiative aims to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle based on conservation traditions, which aligns with India's strategy to combat climate change.
Thus, all the statements are accurate, making Option D the correct answer.

Statement-I is accurate because the primary goal of the Battery Waste Management Rules introduced by the Government is indeed to promote a circular economy in managing waste batteries. This involves emphasizing recycling, refurbishing, and reusing materials from batteries to reduce environmental impact.

However, Statement-II is incorrect. The statement refers to the E-Waste (Management) Rules introduced in November 2022, not Battery Waste Management Rules. The E-Waste Rules focus on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in e-waste recycling, not the circular economy in managing waste batteries as mentioned in Statement-I. Hence, Statement-II does not align with the context of the Battery Waste Management Rules described in the initial text.

The LeadIT Group plays a pivotal role in steering global endeavors towards transitioning industries to a more sustainable and climate-friendly future by driving initiatives and collaborative efforts aimed at achieving this crucial objective.

Statement-I mentions the focus of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on promoting solar energy, not wind energy solutions. ISA aims to enhance solar energy use and collaborate on utilizing solar power. Hence, Statement-I is incorrect.
Statement-II discusses the objective of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to make infrastructure more resilient to disasters, not specifically focusing on disaster response mechanisms in urban areas. Therefore, Statement-II is incorrect.

All three statements provided are correct, as detailed below:

1. The Battery Waste Management Rules, introduced in August 2022, indeed focus on promoting a circular economy through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for waste batteries. The rules mandate that producers (including importers) are responsible for collecting and recycling or refurbishing waste batteries, promoting a sustainable approach in handling battery waste.
2. The E-Waste (Management) Rules, which come into effect from April 2023, do include provisions for environmental compensation and verification for the e-waste industry. These measures aim to ensure compliance and accountability within the industry, fostering environmentally friendly practices.

3. The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates that producers collect and recycle or refurbish waste batteries, explicitly prohibiting their disposal in landfills or through incineration. This is a key aspect of the Battery Waste Management Rules to ensure sustainable waste management practices.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 1, 2 and 3.

Statement 1 is correct. As of 2019, India's total forest cover is indeed 7,12,249 sq. km, which accounts for 21.67% of the country's total geographic area. This is based on the latest forest cover assessment, reflecting a slight increase compared to previous years.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Arunachal Pradesh has not shown a significant increase in tropical evergreen forest cover. In fact, states like Karnataka and Kerala have high tropical evergreen forest cover, while Arunachal Pradesh has experienced a decrease in forest cover overall.

Statement 3 is correct. India ranks 8th globally in terms of total carbon stock in forests, highlighting its significant role in global carbon sequestration efforts.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

The Battery Waste Management Rules, introduced to regulate waste batteries, primarily operate on the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This principle mandates that producers, including importers, are responsible for collecting, recycling, or refurbishing waste batteries, thereby promoting a circular economy and sustainable approach in handling battery waste.

One of India's specific targets in its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) is to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent through expanding forest and tree cover by 2030. This target is crucial in the fight against climate change as it aims to enhance the capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, thereby mitigating the effects of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment.

1. Karnataka - Tropical Evergreen Forests: Correct. Karnataka has a significant cover of tropical evergreen forests.

2. Arunachal Pradesh - Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests: Correct. Arunachal Pradesh has a notable cover of tropical moist deciduous forests.

3. Kerala - Semi-Evergreen Forests: Incorrect. Kerala is known for its tropical evergreen forests rather than semi-evergreen forests.

4. Maharashtra - Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests: Incorrect. Maharashtra is known for its tropical moist deciduous forests rather than tropical dry deciduous forests.

Thus, pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched, and pairs 3 and 4 are incorrectly matched.

1. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) focuses on promoting solar energy among countries situated between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn: This statement is correct. The ISA is indeed a global organization that aims to promote the use of solar energy among countries located between these tropics to address energy needs and promote sustainable practices.

2. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) aims to make infrastructure more resilient to natural disasters: This statement is also correct. The CDRI brings together countries to work collectively on creating infrastructure capable of withstanding natural disasters, thus reducing the vulnerability of communities and promoting sustainable development.

3. The Global Cooling Prize is a competition that encourages the development of energy-efficient cooling solutions within India only: This statement is incorrect. The Global Cooling Prize is an international competition that invites innovators worldwide to develop sustainable and affordable cooling technologies with minimal environmental impact, not just within India.

Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect. The correct answer is Option B.

1. Battery Waste Management Rules - Introduced in August 2022: Correct. The Battery Waste Management Rules were indeed introduced in August 2022.

2. E-Waste Management Rules - Introduced in November 2022: Correct. The new E-Waste Management Rules were introduced in November 2022.

3. Forest and Tree Cover in India - Constitutes 25% of the geographical area: Incorrect. As of 2019, the forest and tree cover in India constitutes 24.50% of the geographical area, not 25%.

4. India's Net Zero Commitment - By 2050: Incorrect. India has committed to becoming Net Zero by 2070, not 2050.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.

Statement-I is accurate as green bonds are indeed utilized to raise funds for environmentally friendly projects. On the other hand, Statement-II is incorrect as the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 primarily focuses on safeguarding wildlife and endangered fauna species, not plants. This act provides legal protection to wildlife and endangered species, making Statement-II inaccurate in the context of the given information.