UPSC Prelims 2025 Q32: Environment & Ecology – International Environmental Treaties & Summits
Consider the following statements:
Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained
from signing the 'Declaration on Climate and Health'.
Statement II: The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed,
it becomes mandatory to decarbonize health sector.
Statement III: If India's health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health - care system
may be compromised.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
- (b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
- (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
- (d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Answer: (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
Explanation
India and the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| I. At COP28, India refrained from signing the 'Declaration on Climate and Health' | Correct | India did not sign the declaration launched at Dubai in 2023 |
| II. The Declaration is binding; if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize the health sector | Incorrect | It is a voluntary, non-binding declaration |
| III. If India's health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised | Correct | This was India's stated reason: cutting emissions from cooling would hurt storage of vaccines and medicines |
Putting it together:
| Check | Result |
|---|---|
| Statement II | False |
| Statement III | True, and it explains why India did not sign |
So only one of Statements II and III is correct, and it explains Statement I.
Answer: (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement II is false; the declaration is not binding.
- (b) Incorrect. Only one of Statements II and III is correct, not both.
- (c) CORRECT. Statement III is true and explains why India refrained from signing.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement III is correct; it was India's own reason.
Key point
COP28 (Dubai, 2023) Declaration on Climate and Health: voluntary; India did not sign, citing risk to health-care resilience from curbs on cooling emissions.
Remember
COP28 health declaration: non-binding; India did not sign.
Common mistakes
- Treating a declaration as a binding treaty.
- Rejecting Statement III because it sounds like an excuse; it is the reason India gave.
- Forgetting to test whether the true statement explains Statement I.
Exam tip
Declarations at COPs are voluntary. Any statement calling one 'binding' is false.
Sources
- COP28 UAE — Declaration on Climate and Health (December 2023)
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — India's position at COP28