Consider the following statements Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from…

Environment & Ecology ·Previously asked in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025

View the full solved paper: GS Paper I

Question

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?

  1. A. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
  2. B. Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
  3. C. Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I (Correct answer)
  4. D. Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Correct Answer

Option C — Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I.

Key Points

  • India indeed did not sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health — Statement I is correct.
  • However, the COP28 Climate and Health Declaration is NON-BINDING (like most COP declarations) — Statement II claiming it is binding is incorrect.
  • Statement III suggesting decarbonising India's health sector could compromise resilience is the actual reason India hesitated.
  • Only Statement III is correct and it explains why India refrained (Statement I).