Shankar IAS MCQs: International Environmental Convention | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Statement 1: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was pivotal in shaping the global environmental agenda.
Statement 2: The highest decision-making body of UNEP is the UN Environment Assembly.
Which of the following is correct?
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (a)
UNEP plays a crucial role in the global environmental agenda, and its highest decision-making body is indeed the UN Environment Assembly.

Q2: At the 2019 UN Environment Assembly session, India played a pivotal role by piloting resolutions on Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (a)
India did play a significant role in the 2019 session by piloting important resolutions on environmental issues like Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management.

Q3: Statement 1: India's contribution to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets includes setting aside over 17.41% of its geographical area for conservation.
Statement 2: The Hyderabad Pledge was made during the CoP 11 meeting in India.
Which of the following is correct?
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (a)
India has indeed set aside a significant portion of its land for conservation as part of the Aichi Targets, and the Hyderabad Pledge was made during CoP 11.

Q4: Statement 1: The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol aims to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to reduce global warming.
Statement 2: India has committed to reducing HFC use by roughly 85% of their baselines by 2047 under the Kigali Agreement.
(a) Both statements are true
(b) Both statements are false
(c) Statement 1 is true, but Statement 2 is false
(d) Statement 1 is false, but Statement 2 is true
Ans: (a)
The Kigali Amendment focuses on phasing out HFCs, and India has indeed committed to reducing its HFC use by approximately 85% by 2047.

Q5: Assertion (A): The Kigali Agreement aims to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) globally.
Reason (R): HFCs are known to contribute significantly to global warming.
Are (A) and (R) true, and is (R) the correct explanation of (A)?
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Ans: (a)
The Kigali Agreement's purpose is to phase out HFCs, which are indeed significant contributors to global warming.

Q6: Which of the following is not a goal of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets?
(a) Ensuring sustainable management of agriculture and forestry.
(b) Phasing out mercury use in various products by 2020.
(c) Conserving at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water areas.
(d) Preventing the extinction of known threatened species.
Ans: (b)
The phasing out of mercury is related to the Minamata Convention, not the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

Q7: Statement 1: India has successfully phased out HCFC-141b under its HCFC Phase Out Management Plan.
Statement 2: HCFC-141b is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
Which of the following is correct?
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (b)
HCFC-141b is a potent ozone-depleting chemical, not a greenhouse gas.

Q8: The Kunming Declaration encourages:
(a) The '30 by 30' target for 30% protected status on Earth's land and oceans by 2030.
(b) The phase-out of mercury use in measuring devices by 2025.
(c) The establishment of an International Centre for Below Sea Level Farming.
(d) A complete ban on illegal wildlife trade by 2022.
Ans: (a)
The Kunming Declaration includes a commitment to the '30 by 30' target, among other initiatives for biodiversity protection.

Q9: Which of the following sites in India is recognized under the FAO's Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) program?
(a) Sundarbans, West Bengal
(b) Traditional Agricultural System, Koraput, Odisha
(c) Tea Gardens of Assam
(d) Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Ans: (b)
The Koraput region in Odisha is recognized under the GIAHS program for its unique traditional agricultural system.

Q10: The Minamata Convention primarily addresses the issue of:
(a) Biodiversity loss.
(b) Ozone layer depletion.
(c) Mercury pollution.
(d) Climate change due to CO₂ emissions.
Ans: (c)
The Minamata Convention is specifically aimed at protecting human health and the environment from mercury pollution.

Q11: Statement 1: The UNEP Environment Assembly's third session in 2017 focused on achieving a pollution-free planet.
Statement 2: The session addressed sub-themes like renewable energy and deforestation.
Which of the following is correct?
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (b)
The third session did focus on a pollution-free planet, but the sub-themes included water and land pollution, marine pollution, air pollution, and chemical waste management, not renewable energy and deforestation.

Q12: In the context of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), what does the Asia Environment Enforcement Awards primarily recognize?
(a) Efforts in renewable energy adoption.
(b) Contributions to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
(c) Actions against transboundary environmental crime.
(d) Initiatives in wildlife conservation.
Ans: (c)
The Asia Environment Enforcement Awards, under UNEP, recognize outstanding efforts in combating transboundary environmental crime.

Q13: Which of the following initiatives is not directly associated with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)?
(a) Champions of the Earth award.
(b) Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
(c) Asia Environment Enforcement Awards.
(d) Single-use Plastics resolution.
Ans: (b)
The Aichi Biodiversity Targets are associated with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CB(d), not directly with UNEP.

Q14: Statement 1: The Kigali Agreement is an amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
Statement 2: Its primary goal is to phase out the use of carbon dioxide and methane.
Which of the following is correct?
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (b)
The Kigali Agreement is indeed an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, but it aims to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), not carbon dioxide and methane.

Q15: Which of the following is a key focus of the Minamata Convention on Mercury?
(a) Promoting the use of renewable energy sources.
(b) Reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
(c) Addressing the loss of biodiversity due to mercury pollution.
(d) Phasing out the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Ans: (b)
One of the primary focuses of the Minamata Convention is to control mercury emissions from sources like coal-fired power plants.

Q16: Statement 1: India piloted resolutions on Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management at the 2019 UNEP Environment Assembly.
Statement 2: These resolutions were aimed at addressing the global nitrogen cycle and its environmental impact.
Which of the following is correct?
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (a)
At the 2019 session, India indeed played a crucial role by piloting these resolutions, focusing on the nitrogen cycle and environmental impacts.

Q17: The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) program, administered by FAO, recognizes:
(a) Only ancient agricultural practices.
(b) Regions with unique, sustainable agricultural systems.
(c) The best practices in industrial agriculture.
(d) Only the agricultural systems in developed countries.
Ans: (b)
The GIAHS program acknowledges areas globally that show remarkable land use systems rich in biological diversity and sustainable development.

Q18: In the context of the Kigali Agreement, what is the timeline for India to start its transition to phase out HFCs?
(a) 2019
(b) 2024
(c) 2028
(d) 2036
Ans: (c)
According to the Kigali Agreement, India and some other countries are scheduled to commence their transition in 2028.

Q19: Which Indian organization was recognized by the Asia Environment Enforcement Awards for its efforts against environmental crime?
(a) Central Pollution Control Board
(b) Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
(c) Forest Survey of India
(d) National Green Tribunal
Ans: (b)
India's Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCC(b) received the award in 2018 for its enforcement techniques against environmental crime.

Q20: What was the primary purpose of India's ratification of the Minamata Convention?
(a) To phase out the use of HFCs.
(b) To control the transboundary movement of mercury.
(c) To reduce carbon emissions from industries.
(d) To increase the use of renewable energy sources.
Ans: (b)
The Minamata Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from human-made emissions and releases of mercury and its compounds, including regulating its transboundary movement.