UPSC Prelims 2016 Q81: Environment & Ecology – International Environmental Treaties & Summits
Consider the following statements:
1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change
Conference in 2015.
2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
International Solar Alliance (ISA)
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015 | Correct | Launched on 30 November 2015 at COP21, Paris, by India's Prime Minister and the President of France |
| 2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations | Incorrect | It was meant for about 121 sunshine countries lying fully or partly between the Tropics |
Key facts:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Gurugram, Haryana (first treaty-based body based in India) |
| Framework Agreement | In force from 6 December 2017 |
| Later change | A 2020 amendment opened membership to all UN members |
| Vision | One Sun, One World, One Grid |
The bank earlier stored (b) as the key; the official key is (a).
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Alliance was launched at the Paris Climate Change Conference in 2015.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false; it did not include all UN member countries.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false; membership was for countries between the Tropics.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is true; the launch was at COP21, Paris.
Key point
ISA: launched by India and France at COP21, Paris (30 November 2015); headquarters Gurugram; originally for 121 countries between the Tropics.
Remember
ISA = India + France, Paris 2015, Gurugram.
Common mistakes
- Accepting 'all the member countries' of the United Nations for 2016.
- Confusing the launch (2015) with the Framework Agreement coming into force (2017).
- Placing the headquarters in New Delhi; it is in Gurugram.
Exam tip
Solar alliance = sunny countries between the Tropics. 'All UN members' was not true when asked.
Sources
- International Solar Alliance — Framework Agreement
- Press Information Bureau — Prime Minister launches International Solar Alliance (30 November 2015)