UPSC Prelims 2024 Q96: Environment & Ecology – International Environmental Treaties & Summits
- (a) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II explains Statement - I
- (b) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct, but Statement - II does not explain Statement - I
- (c) Statement - I is correct, but Statement - II is incorrect
- (d) Statement - I is incorrect, but Statement - II is correct
Answer: (c) Statement - I is correct, but Statement - II is incorrect
Explanation
EU Net-Zero Industry Act + EU Carbon Neutrality Timeline
Statement-by-Statement Breakdown:
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | The European Parliament approved the Net-Zero Industry Act recently | TRUE | The EU Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) was proposed as part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan and was approved by the European Parliament in April 2024. It aims to ensure at least 40% of EU clean tech needs are manufactured domestically by 2030. |
| II | The European Union intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and therefore aims to develop all of its own clean technology by that time | FALSE | Two errors: (a) EU's carbon neutrality target is 2050 (not 2040). The 2040 target is an intermediate milestone. (b) The Net-Zero Industry Act does NOT aim for ALL clean technology to be developed domestically - it targets 40% domestic manufacturing capacity by 2030, not 100%. |
EU Climate Timeline:
| Year | Target |
|---|---|
| 2030 | 55% reduction in GHG emissions vs 1990 levels (Fit for 55 Package) |
| 2040 | ~90% reduction (recommended intermediate target) |
| 2050 | Carbon neutrality / net-zero (EU Climate Law target) |
Answer: (c) Statement - I is correct, but Statement - II is incorrect.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement II is false (EU carbon neutrality target is 2050, not 2040; NZIA targets 40% domestic, not 100% own clean tech). Both being correct would require the 2040 and 100% claims to be accurate.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement II is false. The EU net-zero target is 2050 under the European Climate Law, not 2040. Statement I is correct.
- (c) CORRECT. Statement I is correct (Net-Zero Industry Act was approved). Statement II is false - EU's carbon neutrality target is 2050 (not 2040), and NZIA targets 40% domestic manufacturing (not developing all clean tech domestically).
- (d) Incorrect. Statement I is correct - the EU Net-Zero Industry Act was approved by the European Parliament and is part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan.
Key point
EU Net-Zero Industry Act = approved (TRUE). EU carbon neutrality target = 2050 (NOT 2040). NZIA targets 40% domestic clean tech manufacturing by 2030 - not 100% own clean tech. Statement I correct, Statement II false.
Remember
The EU Net-Zero Industry Act was approved. However, the EU's carbon neutrality target is 2050 (not 2040), and the NZIA targets 40% domestic clean tech manufacturing, not developing all its own clean technology.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the EU's 2040 intermediate milestone (approx. 90% GHG reduction) with the final 2050 carbon neutrality target - 2040 is a checkpoint, not the carbon neutrality year.
- Thinking the Net-Zero Industry Act requires ALL clean tech to be made in Europe - it targets 40% domestic manufacturing capacity for specific strategic technologies by 2030.
- Not knowing the EU Climate Law (2021) sets the legally binding 2050 climate neutrality target - this is a firm legal commitment unlike aspirational targets.
Exam tip
EU climate targets: 2030 = 55% cut (Fit for 55). 2040 = ~90% cut (proposed). 2050 = net-zero/carbon neutral (EU Climate Law). Net-Zero Industry Act = 40% domestic clean tech manufacturing by 2030. Never mistake 2040 for EU's final neutrality year.
Sources
- European Commission - EU Net-Zero Industry Act
- European Climate Law (2021) - Carbon Neutrality by 2050 target