UPSC Prelims 2022 Q42: Environment & Ecology – International Environmental Treaties & Summits
Consider the following statements:
1. "The Climate Group" is an international non - profit organisation that drives climate action by
building large networks and runs them.
2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global
initiative "EP100".
3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency
and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the "Under2 Coalition".
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1, 2, 4 and 5
- (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (c) 2, 3 and 5 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation
The Climate Group, EP100 and the Under2 Coalition
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Climate Group is a non-profit that builds and runs large networks | Correct | It runs networks such as RE100, EP100, EV100 and the Under2 Coalition |
| 2. IEA partnered with the Climate Group to launch EP100 | Incorrect | EP100 was launched in 2016 by the Climate Group with the Alliance to Save Energy, not the IEA |
| 3. EP100 gathers companies driving energy-efficiency innovation | Correct | Members pledge to double energy productivity or adopt net zero carbon buildings |
| 4. Some Indian companies are EP100 members | Correct | Members include Mahindra & Mahindra, Tech Mahindra and Godrej group firms |
| 5. IEA is the Secretariat of the Under2 Coalition | Incorrect | The Climate Group itself is the Secretariat of the Under2 Coalition of sub-national governments |
The IEA is an intergovernmental body under the OECD framework; it runs none of these networks.
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statements 2 and 5 wrongly credit the IEA; EP100 and Under2 are both Climate Group initiatives.
- (b) CORRECT. The Climate Group runs EP100 (with the Alliance to Save Energy) and Indian firms are members.
- (c) Incorrect. It drops the true statements 1 and 4 and keeps the false IEA claims in 2 and 5.
- (d) Incorrect. The IEA neither co-launched EP100 nor serves as the Under2 Coalition Secretariat.
Key point
EP100 = Climate Group + Alliance to Save Energy (2016); the Climate Group is also the Under2 Coalition Secretariat.
Remember
Climate Group runs RE100, EP100, EV100 and the Under2 Coalition Secretariat.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the International Energy Agency is behind every global energy-efficiency initiative.
- Forgetting that the Climate Group runs a family of '100' networks: RE100, EP100 and EV100.
- Missing that the Under2 Coalition is a club of states and regions, served by the Climate Group as Secretariat.
Exam tip
Map each network to its founder. RE100, EP100 and EV100 all belong to the Climate Group; the IEA is a government body, not a campaign network.
Sources
- The Climate Group — EP100 and Under2 Coalition pages
- Alliance to Save Energy — EP100 launch (2016)