Q32 (IAS/2025) Environment & Ecology › Climate Change & Global Initiatives › Climate science and impacts Answer Verified

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?

Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I

Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I

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

Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Result

Your answer: — · Correct: D

Explanation

India has refused to sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health[1], making Statement I correct. However, Statement II is incorrect because the declaration is a detailed, nonbinding, aspirational call to action[3], not a binding declaration. Statement III is also incorrect as it contradicts the declaration's purpose—the declaration focuses on gathering support, galvanising action and mobilising finances to improve the resilience of health systems[5]. In fact, decarbonizing the health sector is intended to strengthen, not compromise, health system resilience. India cited curbing greenhouse gases use for cooling in the health sector as the reason, stating that it would not be possible to fulfil the same within a short term[6]—a practical implementation concern rather than fears about resilience being compromised. Since both Statement II and Statement III are incorrect, option D is correct.

Sources

[1] https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-refuses-to-sign-cop28-declaration-on-climate-and-health-heres-why-11701618953067.html
[2] https://www.csis.org/analysis/bridging-health-and-climate-cop28
[3] https://www.csis.org/analysis/bridging-health-and-climate-cop28
[4] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/cop28-health-is-finally-on-the-agenda-but-theres-more-to-do-as-we-face-continued-climate-extremes/article67620966.ece
[5] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/cop28-health-is-finally-on-the-agenda-but-theres-more-to-do-as-we-face-continued-climate-extremes/article67620966.ece
[6] https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-refuses-to-sign-cop28-declaration-on-climate-and-health-heres-why-11701618953067.html

How others answered

Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.

Community Performance

Out of everyone who attempted this question.

got it right

Web / Current Affairs

Online pages / news items supporting the statement

Web source

Presence: 5/5

"India has refused to sign the [COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health](https://www.livemint.com/news/india/meeting-friends-is-pm-modi-responds-as-melodi-selfie-with-italys-giorgia-meloni-goes-viral-11701514205693.html), reports PTI."

Why this source?

Directly states that India refused to sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health.
Notes India's stated reason (cites lack of practicality), supporting that India refrained from signing.

Web source

Presence: 3/5

"The declaration is now supported by 143 countries (to date)."

Why this source?

Provides context that the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health was widely supported (143 countries).
This contrast highlights the significance of any notable non-signatories such as India (as reported in passage 2).

Indirect textbook clues (5)

How books hint at the answer

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > 1994 > p. 321

Strength: 4/5

“The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force. Countries that sign the treaty are known as 'Parties'. With t96. All Rights Reserved. No part ofthis material may be reproduced in any form or by any means, rvithout permission in lvriting. ffi”

Why relevant

Defines that countries that sign UNFCCC-related treaties are called 'Parties' and frames COP processes as treaty/party-based events.

How to extend

A student could use this to check whether the COP28 Health declaration was presented to Parties and then look up which Parties (e.g., India) formally endorsed it.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Kunming,Declaration > p. 396

Strength: 5/5

“The Kunming Declaration was adopted by over 100 countries on October X, 2020, at the first part of the virtual COP15 meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD). • This declaration asks the parties to prioritize biodiversity protection in terms of decision-making and recognizing the importance of conservation in protecting human health. The adoption of this declaration aims to create momentum for a new global biodiversity pact.”

Why relevant

Provides an example (Kunming Declaration) of a COP-era declaration adopted by many countries, illustrating that such non-binding declarations are commonly issued at COPs and have signatory lists.

How to extend

Use the pattern that COP declarations publish participants/signatories and then consult the COP28 declaration signatory list to see if India is listed.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > India's Stand on Environmental Issues > p. 88

Strength: 4/5

“India signed and ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in August 2002. India, China and other developing countries were exempt from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol because their contribution to the”

Why relevant

Records that India signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol (a major climate treaty), showing India does sign international climate agreements.

How to extend

Combine this with current-events checking: since India has precedent for signing climate instruments, verify whether it followed that precedent at COP28 by consulting the COP28 declaration signatories.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > India's Revised INDC Targets > p. 309

Strength: 4/5

“India, at UNFCCC COP 26, has made a new set of promises to take forward its climate action. The revised targets are: • India is now committing itself to at least 450/o reduction in emissions intensity of GDP (emissions per unit of GDP). The existing target was a 33o/o * 35olo reduction. • India is promising to ensure that at least 5o0/o of installed electricity generation capacity in zo3o would be based on non-fossil fuel-based sources. This is an increase from the existing 4o0lo target. • Increase non-fossil energy capacity to 5oo GW (gigawatts) by ao3o.”

Why relevant

Notes India made new climate commitments at COP26, indicating active participation in recent COP processes and willingness to make public commitments at COP meetings.

How to extend

A student could infer India’s engagement level at COPs and then check participant statements or the official COP28 declaration record to confirm whether India signed the health declaration.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > 23.5.INDC > p. 307

Strength: 3/5

“India declared a voluntary goal of reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 25% over 2005 levels by 2025, despite having no binding mitigation obligations as per the Convention. A slew of policy measures to promote low carbon strategies and Renewable Energy have resulted in the decline All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form or by any means, without permission.”

Why relevant

Shows India issues voluntary climate targets (INDC) rather than always accepting binding obligations, indicating India distinguishes between types of commitments.

How to extend

Use this rule to hypothesize that India might selectively sign non-binding declarations based on content; then check the COP28 declaration text/signatory list to see if India withheld endorsement.

Consider the following statements : 1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. 2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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?

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.

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 ?

Question map

Explanation

PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Consider the following statements : 1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. 2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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 ?