CAPF AC 2022 Q96: Environment & Ecology – International Environmental Treaties & Summits
- (a) WHO's COVID-19 Global Vaccination Drive
- (b) contributions to the International Monetary Fund
- (c) reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
- (d) contributions to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations
Answer: (c) reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Explanation
Common but differentiated responsibilities
How to think: this principle belongs to climate change talks.
Common means every country must act to protect the climate.
Differentiated means rich countries must do more, because they polluted more in the past and have more money and technology.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Short form | CBDR-RC |
| First stated in | Rio Earth Summit, 1992 (Rio Declaration, Principle 7) |
| Written into | UNFCCC, 1992, Article 3 |
| In practice | Kyoto Protocol: binding cuts only for developed (Annex I) countries |
| Paris Agreement, 2015 | Kept the principle, adding the words in the light of different national circumstances |
India's position: India stresses this principle along with equity and climate justice at every climate conference.
Answer: (c) reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The COVID-19 vaccination drive used the COVAX arrangement, not this principle.
- (b) Incorrect. Contributions to the IMF are based on quotas.
- (c) CORRECT. The principle guides how countries share the burden of cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
- (d) Incorrect. UN peacekeeping is funded by assessed contributions, a different system.
Key point
CBDR-RC: Rio 1992, UNFCCC Article 3; all share responsibility, developed countries take the lead. Kyoto Protocol (1997): Annex I targets. Paris Agreement (2015): nationally determined contributions from all, with differentiation retained.
Remember
CBDR-RC: climate; all act, the rich act more.
Common mistakes
- Linking the phrase with financial contributions to bodies like the IMF.
- Thinking the Paris Agreement dropped the principle; it kept it.
- Forgetting the last part, respective capabilities, about money and technology.
Exam tip
Educated guess: the phrase is heard every year at the climate COPs. Words such as responsibility for past pollution fit only the greenhouse gas debate.
Sources
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992) — Article 3: Principles
- NCERT Class XII Political Science — Contemporary World Politics, Chapter: Environment and Natural Resources (common but differentiated responsibilities)