UPSC Prelims 2016 Q55: Environment & Ecology – Climate Change & Greenhouse Gases
- (a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
- (b) It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco - friendly technologies.
- (c) It is an inter - governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022.
- (d) It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank.
Answer: (a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
Explanation
Greenhouse Gas Protocol
The GHG Protocol is the world's most used accounting standard for measuring greenhouse gas emissions.
It was developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
| Scope | Emissions covered |
|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions from sources the organisation owns |
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity |
| Scope 3 | All other indirect emissions in the value chain |
The options checked:
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| (a) International accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions | Correct |
| (b) UN initiative offering financial incentives to developing countries | Incorrect |
| (c) Inter-governmental agreement ratified by all UN members to reduce emissions by 2022 | Incorrect; no such agreement |
| (d) Multilateral REDD+ initiative hosted by the World Bank | Incorrect; that is the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility |
Answer: (a) an international accounting tool for greenhouse gas emissions.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. It is an international accounting tool to quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
- (b) Incorrect. It gives no financial incentives and is not a UN initiative.
- (c) Incorrect. It is not an inter-governmental agreement; despite the name, it is a standard.
- (d) Incorrect. The World Bank's REDD+ initiative is the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility.
Key point
Greenhouse Gas Protocol: emissions accounting standard by WRI and WBCSD; Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (purchased electricity), Scope 3 (value chain).
Remember
GHG Protocol = emissions accounting by WRI and WBCSD.
Common mistakes
- Reading 'Protocol' as a treaty like Kyoto or Montreal.
- Thinking it is run by the United Nations.
- Mixing up Scope 2 (electricity) and Scope 3 (value chain).
Exam tip
This 'Protocol' is an accounting standard, not a treaty. WRI + WBCSD.
Sources
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol — Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard
- World Resources Institute — Greenhouse Gas Protocol