Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Climate Change Policy
Government support for fossil fuels, through subsidies or regulatory rollbacks, directly counteracts climate change mitigation goals by promoting high-emissi...
U.S. President Donald Trump announced $700 million in funding for coal plants, mines, and an export terminal, utilizing the Cold War-era Defence Production Act. This initiative aims to support the coal industry, keep existing facilities open, and build new ones, despite coal being the highest emitter of greenhouse gases. The move includes redirecting funds from climate change projects and follows previous actions to roll back environmental regulations and increase fossil fuel use, making the U.S. an outlier in global coal consumption trends. The UN has warned about rising global temperatures primarily driven by fossil fuels.
Durable syllabus ideas for revision — not article memory.
Government support for fossil fuels, through subsidies or regulatory rollbacks, directly counteracts climate change mitigation goals by promoting high-emissi...
Previous year Prelims questions on overlapping themes and topics.
Consider the following:
1. Aerosols
2. Foam agents
3. Fire retardants
4. Lubricants
In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons used?
Out of the above substances, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used in the making of: 1. Aerosols HFCs were historically used as propellants in aerosol cans, but their use is being phased out due to environmental concerns. 2. Foam agents Some types of fire-fighting foam agents use HFCs. 3. Fire retardant HFCs can be a component in some fire retardant formulations. 4. Lubricants typically do not contain HFCs. They use different chemical formulations to achieve lubricating properties.
The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed for
The Common Carbon Metric (CCM) is a protocol developed by the United Nations Environment Program's Sustainable Buildings & Climate Initiative (UNEP-SBCI) for measuring energy use and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from building operations. Its purpose is to support GHG emissions reductions through accurate measurement of energy efficiency. It is a universal method of measuring a building's carbon footprint and allows emissions from buildings around the world to be consistently assessed and compared. Therefore, it is used for assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world.
Consider the following statements:
I. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO₂/capita.
II. In terms of CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO₂ emissions in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
India’s CO₂ emissions come mainly from fuel combustion, especially electricity generation, and per capita emissions are higher than 0.5 tonnes. ❌ Statement I is incorrect:
* India’s per capita CO₂ emissions are around 1.9-2.0 tonnes, higher than 0.5 t CO₂/capita. ✅ Statement II is correct:
* India ranks second in the Asia-Pacific for total CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion, after China. ✅ Statement III is correct:
* Electricity and heat production (mainly coal-based) is the largest source of India’s CO₂ emissions. So, the correct answer is: C
Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbon emissions.
Statement II:
Silica-bearing clay is mixed with limestone while manufacturing cement.
Statement III:
Limestone is converted into lime during clinker production for cement manufacturing.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Cement manufacturing contributes significantly to global carbon emissions, mainly due to the chemical process involved in producing clinker. ✅ Statement I: Cement industry emissions are estimated to be around 5-8% of global CO₂ emissions, making it a major source of greenhouse gases. ✅Statement II: Silica-bearing clay is indeed mixed with limestone during cement making to provide essential minerals like silicon, aluminum, and iron needed for the final product. ✅Statement III: During clinker production, limestone (calcium carbonate) is heated and converted into lime (calcium oxide), releasing CO₂ in the process. This calcination is the main source of carbon emissions in cement manufacturing. Both Statements II and III are correct, but only Statement III directly explains the source of carbon emissions mentioned in Statement I.
With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?
I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration.
II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.
III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology that removes CO₂ directly from the air for storage or use in various industries. ✅ Statement I is correct:
* DAC captures CO₂ for carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gases. ✅ Statement II is correct:
* Captured CO₂ can be used to make plastics and in food processing. ✅ Statement III is correct:
* DAC provides carbon to make synthetic low-carbon aviation fuels by combining with hydrogen. So, the correct answer is: C
Consider the following statements:
1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of G20 group of countries.
2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants was launched by a joint effort of
1. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
2. Six countries Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States Statement 1 is incorrect. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is not a unique initiative of the G20 group of countries. While some G20 members were involved in its launch, the CCAC has grown into a broader coalition that includes over 160 governments, intergovernmental organisations, and non-governmental organisations. Statement 2 is correct. The CCAC's primary focus is indeed on reducing emissions of potent short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). These include Methane (CH4), Black Carbon (BC) and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
"System of Rice Intensification" of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in:
1. Reduced seed requirement
2. Reduced methane production
3. Reduced electricity consumption
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
System of Rice Intensification (SRI) includes a method called Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) which is a form of controlled irrigation of the rice crops. The benefits from the program include 1. Reduction in methane emissions as compared to traditional rice cultivation. 2. Reduction in water consumption . 3. Reducing fuel consumption . 4. Increase paddy yields . 5. Reduce required seeds for transplanting. 6. Reduce use of chemical fertilizers and agrichemicals . 7. Reduce irrigation demand . 8. Reduce production costs . 9. With increased output and reduced costs, farmers net income is increased .
What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?
1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of previous crop.
2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible.
3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is correct: Zero tillage is a method of farming that involves sowing crop seeds directly into the soil without disturbing it. This method has several advantages.
In zero tillage, the residue of the previous crop is left on the field, which acts as a natural mulch, reducing soil erosion and improving soil fertility. Therefore, there is no need to burn the residue of the previous crop before sowing wheat. Statement 2 is correct: In zero tillage, seeds are directly planted into the soil, eliminating the need for a nursery of rice saplings. This not only saves time and labor but also reduces the cost of cultivation. Statement 3 is correct: Carbon sequestration refers to the process of capture and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide. In zero tillage, the carbon in the crop residue is returned to the soil, which helps in carbon sequestration. Therefore, all three statements are correct.
Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide?
Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice farms could have the same long-term warming impact as about 600 coal plants. Rice cultivation emits methane and nitrous oxide due to flooded fields and nitrogen-based fertilizers. Flooding creates anaerobic conditions, producing methane released through rice plants. Fertilizers poorly absorbed by rice lead to soil microbes converting nitrogen into nitrous oxide.
With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.
2. The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2 degrees C or even 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels.
3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The agreement did not "go into effect in 2017." It was adopted in Dec 2015, signed in April 2016, and legally entered into force on November 4, 2016, after the "55/55" threshold (55 countries representing 55% of global emissions) was met. Statement 2 is correct: This is the core "temperature goal" of the Paris Agreement: keeping the increase well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Statement 3 is incorrect: While the agreement acknowledges "Common But Differentiated Responsibilities" (CBDR), the financial commitment was $100 billion per year by 2020, not $1000 billion.
Previous year Mains questions mapped to overlapping GS syllabus topics.
How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience.
Write a review on India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022?
Mineral resources are fundamental to the country’s economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining.
Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater?
Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.
"Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike…."
In view of the above observation of the Supreme Court, explain the concept of constitutional morality and its application to ensure balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability in India.