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Environment and Biodiversity MCQs – 05 ( Environmental Conventions and Protocols )

Most important MCQs from the chapter – Environmental Conventions and Protocols MCQs for UPSC, State PSC and Other Examinations.

1. Earth summit was held in which among the following places ?

(a) Paris
(b) Copenhagen
(c) Rio de Janeiro
(d) London

Correct Answer – (c) Rio de Janeiro

  • The Earth Summit or UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) was held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. 
  • Key achievement of the 1992 conference was the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • Earth summit  resulted in the following documents:
    • Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
    • Agenda 21
    • Forest Principles

2. Sustainable development requires judicious use of ?

(a) Natural resources
(b) Human resources
(c) Industrial resources
(d) Social resources

Correct Answer – (a) Natural resources

  • Sustainable development is the type of development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
  • The Sustainable Development Goals agenda was accepted by all members of the United Nations in 2012 at Rio De Janeiro.

3. Number of Sustainable Development Goals adopted by all the countries of the UN are ?

(a) 14
(b) 15
(c) 16
(d) 17

Correct Answer – (d) 17

 

  • The Sustainable Development Goals are a set of seventeen goals that all the countries which are members of the UN agreed to work upon for the better future of the world.
  • The 17 goals under the Sustainable Development Goals are as mentioned below:
    1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
    2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
    3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all at all stages
    4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
    5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
    6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
    7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
    8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
    9. Built resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
    10. Reduce inequalities within and among countries
    11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
    12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production pattern
    13. Take urgent actions to combat climate change and its impact
    14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
    15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managed forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
    16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
    17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

4. Consider the following statements about ‘Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC)’:

1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals does not threaten their existence.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (b) 2 only

  • TRAFFIC is a joint program of WWF and IUCN.
  • The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals does not threaten their existence.

5. The concept of carbon credit originated from which one of the following ?

(a) Kyoto protocol
(b) Earth summit
(c) Doha round
(d) Montreal Protocol

Correct Answer – (a) Kyoto protocol

  • The concept of Carbon Credit originated from the Kyoto Protocol. 
  • A carbon credit is a credit for greenhouse emissions reduced or removed from the atmosphere by an emission reduction project, which can be used by governments or industry to compensate for the emissions they generate elsewhere.
  • The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005.

6. Consider the following statements about Montreal Protocol:

1. The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted in 1987.
2. The protocol gives provisions to reduce the production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances to protect the ozone layer.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (c) Both 1 and 2

  • The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer formalized international cooperation on the issue of Ozone Layer depletion in 1985.
  • This resulted in the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987. 
  • The protocol gives provisions to reduce the production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances to protect the ozone layer.
  • It introduced the concept of equal but differentiated responsibilities.

7. First United Nations treaty to be ratified by all countries in the world is which among the following ?

(a) Kyoto protocol
(b) Paris Agreement
(c) Doha round
(d) Montreal Protocol

Correct Answer – (d) Montreal Protocol

  • The Montreal Protocol is the first United Nations treaty which was ratified by all countries in the world.
  • It gives provisions to reduce the production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances to protect the ozone layer.

8. Consider the following statements about Kigali Agreement:

1. It was an Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
2. It was signed to phase down the manufacture and usage of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (c) Both 1 and 2

  • The Kigali Agreement happened in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda in 2016.
  • It was aimed to phase down the manufacture and usage of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to curb global warming.
  • After the adoption of Montreal Protocol, Use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) decreased and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) were used as the replacement.
  • However, Due to the global warming effects of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)(being a potent greenhouse gasses), its phase out was aimed in the Kigali Agreement.

9. Consider the following statements about Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):

1. It was established in 1988.
2. It regularly publishes scientific assessment reports about climate change.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (c) Both 1 and 2

  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the international body for assessing and researching the science related to climate change.
  • It was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
  • It regularly publishes scientific assessment reports about climate change.

10. Consider the following statements about Stockholm Convention:

1. It is related to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
2. It was signed in Stockholm in 2001.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (c) Both 1 and 2

  • The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty that aims to protect the environment from the harmful effects of POPs.
  • Its aim  is to reduce/eliminate the production and use of POPs. 
  • It was signed in Stockholm in 2001 and came into effect in 2004. 
  • India ratified the Stockholm Convention in 2006.

11. Consider the following statements about Rotterdam Convention:

1. It aims to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in international trade.
2. It is a legally binding environmental agreement.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (c) Both 1 and 2

  • Rotterdam Convention  a legally binding environmental agreement that aims to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in international trade to save the environment and human life from their harmful effects.
  • The convention introduced a Prior Informed Consent(PIC) procedure to ensure that hazardous chemicals are not exported to countries that do not require them.
  • It was adopted in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1998.
  • The secretariat of the convention is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

12. Consider the following statements about Basel Convention:

1. It aims to reduce the generation and movements of hazardous waste.
2. It is a legally binding environmental agreement.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (c) Both 1 and 2

  • The Basel Convention is a global environmental treaty that aims to protect the environment and human health from the harmful effects of hazardous waste.
  • Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • It is a legally binding environmental agreement. The member nations to the convention are required to have domestic legislation for prevention and illegal movement of such hazardous wastes.
  • India ratified the convention in 1992.

13. Consider the following statements about Convention on Biological Diversity:

1. It is a legally binding treaty to conserve biodiversity.
2. The CBD Secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (a) 1 only

  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a legally binding treaty to conserve biological diversity.
  • It requires sustainable use of the components of environment and biodiversity.
  • The CBD Secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada.
  • India enacted Biological Diversity Act in 2002 for giving effect to the provisions of the Convention on BioDiversity.

14. Consider the following Pairs:

1. Nagoya Protocol → Protect biodiversity from the potential risks of living modified organisms(LMOs).
2. Cartagena Protocol → Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from Biodiversity

Which of the above is/are correctly matched ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety → Seeks to protect biodiversity from the potential risks of living modified organisms(LMOs). 
  • It came into force in 2003.
  • Nagoya Protocol → Requires fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from biodiversity.
  • It came into force in 2014.

15. Consider the following statements about Minamata Convention:

1. It aims to protect the environment from the adverse effects of mercury and its compounds.
2. India has not ratified this Convention.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (a) 1 only

  • Minamata Convention is a treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury and its compounds.
  • Mercury can accumulate in aquatic organisms like fish and people who consume such fish have a high risk of developing the Minamata disease.
  • Minamata disease affects the central nervous system and can cause disabilities in hands, feet and eyes.
  • India has ratified this Convention.

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