UPSC Prelims 2016 Q97: Environment & Ecology – International Environmental Treaties & Summits
With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the
following statements is/are correct?
1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in
2017.
2. The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global
temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2°C or even 1.5°C above pre - industrial
levels.
3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and
committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with
climate change.
Select the correct answer
using the code given below.
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Paris Agreement, 2015
Adopted at COP21 in Paris on 12 December 2015.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017 | Incorrect | It opened for signature in April 2016 and came into force on 4 November 2016 |
| 2. It aims to limit the rise in average global temperature to 2°C or even 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels | Correct | Well below 2°C, with efforts for 1.5°C |
| 3. Developed countries committed to donate 1000 billion dollars a year from 2020 | Incorrect | The pledge is 100 billion dollars a year |
Key features:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pledges | Nationally Determined Contributions, updated every five years |
| Review | Global stocktake every five years, from 2023 |
| Replaces | The Kyoto Protocol approach of binding targets for developed countries only |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Both are false: wrong entry-into-force year and wrong finance figure.
- (b) CORRECT. Only the 2°C and 1.5°C temperature goal is stated rightly.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3 is false; the figure is 100 billion dollars, not 1000 billion.
- (d) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 3 contain wrong dates and numbers.
Key point
Paris Agreement: adopted 12 December 2015; in force 4 November 2016; well below 2°C, aim 1.5°C; 100 billion dollars a year climate finance.
Remember
Paris: below 2°C, 100 billion dollars, in force 2016.
Common mistakes
- Missing the extra zero: 1000 billion instead of 100 billion dollars.
- Confusing adoption (2015), signing (2016) and coming into force (2016).
- Thinking developed countries accepted legal liability for historical emissions.
Exam tip
Check the numbers: 100 billion dollars, 2°C, 1.5°C, in force 2016.
Sources
- UNFCCC — The Paris Agreement
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — India ratifies the Paris Agreement (2 October 2016)