UPSC Prelims 2009 Q111: Environment & Ecology – Climate Change & Greenhouse Gases
- (a) Carbon Footprint
- (b) Carbon Credit Rating
- (c) Clean Development Mechanism
- (d) Emission Reduction Norm
Answer: (c) Clean Development Mechanism
Explanation
The UNFCCC's market-driven incentive mechanism
This specific mechanism lets developing countries access funds/technology from developed nations for climate action.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Carbon Footprint | Incorrect | This is a measurement concept (an individual's/entity's emissions), not a market mechanism |
| (b) Carbon Credit Rating | Incorrect | Not a recognized UNFCCC market mechanism by this name |
| (c) Clean Development Mechanism | Correct | The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), under the Kyoto Protocol/UNFCCC, allows developing countries to earn certified emission reductions by adopting cleaner technologies, funded by developed countries |
| (d) Emission Reduction Norm | Incorrect | Not the specific recognized mechanism name |
Clean Development Mechanism facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Framework | UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol |
| Purpose | Let developing countries access funds/technology for emission-reducing projects |
| Output | Certified Emission Reductions (CERs), tradable as carbon credits |
Answer: (c) Clean Development Mechanism.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Carbon Footprint is a measurement concept, not this market mechanism.
- (b) Incorrect. Carbon Credit Rating is not a recognized UNFCCC mechanism name.
- (c) CORRECT. The Clean Development Mechanism is the UNFCCC's market-driven device for this purpose.
- (d) Incorrect. Emission Reduction Norm is not the specific recognized term.
Key point
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), under the UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol, is the market-driven device letting developing countries access funds/technology from developed countries for emission-reducing projects.
Remember
Clean Development Mechanism: lets developing countries get funds/incentives from developed countries to adopt cleaner technologies, under UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the CDM's market mechanism with simple measurement concepts like 'carbon footprint'.
- Not knowing the specific UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol framework behind this mechanism.
- Mixing up CDM with unrelated, made-up-sounding terms.
Exam tip
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) = the UNFCCC's market-driven device for developing-country climate technology funding.
Sources
- United Nations — Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1997), Article 12 (Clean Development Mechanism)
- Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India — Clean Development Mechanism: India's Designated National Authority