12 sample questions are shown here; sign up free to practise all 80.
Q1Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2025
Which one of the following launched the 'Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific'?
- AThe Asian Development Bank (ADB)Correct
- BThe Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
- CThe New Development Bank (NDB)
- DThe International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
Explanation
Correct. The ADB launched the Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific to mobilize investments in nature-based solutions across the region.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
AIIB focuses on infrastructure investment and has not launched this specific nature-finance hub.
- Option C
NDB (BRICS bank) finances development projects but did not launch this particular initiative.
- Option D
IBRD (part of the World Bank Group) has its own environmental funds but is not associated with this specific hub.
Q2Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2025
Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
- AThe European UnionCorrect
- BThe World Bank
- CThe Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
- DThe Food and Agriculture Organization
Explanation
Correct. The EU enacted the Nature Restoration Law in 2024, requiring member states to restore degraded ecosystems to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
The World Bank funds conservation projects but does not enact legislation; NRL is EU legislation.
- Option C
OECD provides policy recommendations, not binding laws; the NRL is EU-specific legislation.
- Option D
FAO provides technical guidance on food and agriculture but does not enact environmental restoration laws.
Q3Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2023
'Invasive Species Specialist Group' (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?
- AThe International Union for Conservation of NatureCorrect
- BThe United Nations Environment Programme
- CThe United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development
- DThe World Wide Fund for Nature
Explanation
Correct. The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is part of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and maintains the Global Invasive Species Database.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
UNEP supports various biodiversity programmes but the ISSG is specifically under the IUCN SSC.
- Option C
The World Commission for Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) completed its work in 1987 and does not host the ISSG.
- Option D
WWF is a conservation NGO but the ISSG operates under IUCN, not WWF.
Q4Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2022
'Climate Action Tracker' which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:
- ADatabase created by a coalition of research organisationsCorrect
- BWing of the 'Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change'
- CCommittee under the 'United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change'
- DAgency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank
Explanation
Correct. The Climate Action Tracker is an independent scientific analysis tool produced by Climate Analytics and NewClimate Institute — a coalition of research organisations — that tracks government climate action against Paris Agreement goals.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
It is not part of the IPCC; it is an independent research-based tracker.
- Option C
It is not a UNFCCC committee; it operates independently of the convention structure.
- Option D
It is not funded or promoted by UNEP and World Bank; it is maintained by independent research bodies.
Q5Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2022
Consider the following statements:
1. 'The Climate Group' is an international non-profit organization 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?
- A1, 2, 4 and 5
- B1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect
- C2, 3 and 5 only
- D1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Explanation
Correct. The Climate Group is a non-profit driving climate action (1), EP100 commits companies to energy efficiency and emission goals (3), and Indian firms like Mahindra are members (4). EP100 is a Climate Group initiative, not IEA's (2 is wrong), and The Climate Group, not IEA, is the Under2 Coalition Secretariat (5 is wrong).
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statements 2 and 5 are incorrect — EP100 was launched by The Climate Group (not IEA), and The Climate Group (not IEA) serves as the Secretariat to the Under2 Coalition.
- Option C
Statement 2 is wrong (EP100 is by The Climate Group, not IEA) and statement 5 is wrong (Under2 Coalition Secretariat is The Climate Group).
- Option D
Statements 2 and 5 are incorrect regarding the IEA's role.
Q6Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2021
The 'Common Carbon Metric', supported by UNEP, has been developed for:
- AAssessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the worldCorrect
- BEnabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading
- CEnabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries
- DAssessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time
Explanation
Correct. The Common Carbon Metric, developed with UNEP support, provides a standardized methodology to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions from building operations globally.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
It is specific to the building sector, not commercial farming or agriculture.
- Option C
It targets building-level emissions accounting, not whole-country carbon footprints.
- Option D
It does not assess global fossil fuel footprints; its scope is limited to building operations.
Q7Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2021
With reference to the New York Declaration on Forests, which of the following statements are correct?
1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests.
3. It is a legally binding international declaration.
4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities.
5. India was one of the signatories at its inception.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1, 2 and 4Correct
- B1, 3 and 5
- C3 and 4
- D2 and 5
Explanation
Correct. The NYDF was endorsed at the UN Climate Summit in 2014 (1), set timelines to halve deforestation by 2020 and end it by 2030 (2), and was backed by governments, companies and indigenous groups (4). It is voluntary, not legally binding (3 is wrong), and India was not a signatory (5 is wrong).
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Statement 3 is wrong (NYDF is voluntary) and statement 5 is wrong (India did not sign).
- Option C
Statement 3 is incorrect — the Declaration is non-binding. Statement 4 is correct but alone doesn't make this the right answer.
- Option D
Statement 5 is incorrect — India did not sign the NYDF at its inception.
Q8Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2018
The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at:
- AThe Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg
- BThe United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de JaneiroCorrect
- CThe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2015, Paris
- DThe World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New Delhi
Explanation
Correct. PAGE emerged from the Rio+20 Conference (2012), where countries called for a green-economy transition, and was launched in response to that mandate by five UN agencies.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The 2002 Johannesburg Summit predates PAGE; it produced the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
- Option C
The 2015 Paris conference focused on the climate agreement, not on launching PAGE.
- Option D
The 2016 Delhi summit was organized by TERI; PAGE had already been launched by then.
Q9Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2018
'Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now' is an initiative launched by:
- AThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- BThe UNEP Secretariat
- CThe UNFCCC SecretariatCorrect
- DThe World Meteorological Organization
Explanation
Correct. 'Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now' was launched by the UNFCCC Secretariat to encourage organizations and individuals to measure, reduce and offset their greenhouse gas emissions.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
IPCC assesses climate science but does not launch implementation initiatives like 'Climate Neutral Now'.
- Option B
UNEP has its own programmes but 'Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now' is specifically under the UNFCCC Secretariat.
- Option D
WMO focuses on weather and climate observation, not on launching carbon neutrality initiatives.
Q10Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2017
Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC):
1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 onlyCorrect
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. TRAFFIC's mission is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to conservation. It is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN, not a UNEP bureau.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
TRAFFIC is not a UNEP bureau; it is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN that monitors wildlife trade.
- Option C
Statement 1 is incorrect — TRAFFIC is run by WWF and IUCN, not UNEP.
- Option D
Statement 2 is correct — TRAFFIC's stated mission is to ensure wildlife trade does not threaten nature conservation.
Q11Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2017
With reference to 'Global Climate Change Alliance', which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is an initiative of the European Union.
2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1 and 2Correct
- B2 only
- C1 only
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. GCCA was launched by the European Commission in 2007 to support least developed and small island developing countries in integrating climate change into development strategies, providing both technical and financial support.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Statement 1 is also correct — GCCA is indeed an EU initiative.
- Option C
Statement 2 is also correct — GCCA provides both technical and financial support.
- Option D
Both statements are correct regarding GCCA's origin and mandate.
Q12Environment·International Environmental ConventionsPYQ 2017
Consider the following statements:
1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of the G20 group of countries.
2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 onlyCorrect
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. The CCAC focuses on short-lived climate pollutants — methane, black carbon and HFCs — but it was launched by UNEP, not by the G20.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
CCAC is not a G20 initiative; it was launched by UNEP and a group of countries and is open to all nations and non-state actors.
- Option C
Statement 1 is incorrect; CCAC was initiated under UNEP, not the G20.
- Option D
Statement 2 is correct — CCAC targets methane, black carbon and HFCs.