International environmental agreements — UPSC Prelims PYQs
22 questions in this bank come from International environmental agreements, spanning UPSC Prelims papers from 2011 to 2026. Every question here carries all four options, the correct answer and a full explanation.
It has appeared in 10 of the last 16 papers, most heavily in 2016 with 5 questions. That is a steady presence rather than a guaranteed one.
The themes examined most often within it are Global environmental issues and management (7), Global Environment Facility functions (3), international climate agreements (3), Global climate change policies and frameworks (2) and Paris Agreement goals and commitments (2). Those counts are of questions in which the theme is examined, not merely mentioned.
Questions here are spread across Environment & Ecology (16), Geography (2), Economy (1) and General Studies (Uncategorized) (1). Between them they draw on 29 distinct themes, so this is a broader area than a single revision note can cover. That is 1.5% of the 1433 questions in the bank — useful for deciding how much revision time it deserves.
Its weight has held steady, at roughly 1.2 questions a year across the last five papers.
It was not examined in 6 of those papers. Each question below links to its full explanation and to related questions on the same theme from other years, so a weak area can be worked through in one pass rather than hunted for paper by paper.
UPSC Prelims 20261 question
UPSC Prelims 20252 questions
- Geography
Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustainable development and climate change. Statement II: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change sets out the principles of carbon markets. Statement III: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change intends to promote inter-country non-market strategies to reach their climate targets. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Geography
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?
UPSC Prelims 20241 question
UPSC Prelims 20232 questions
- Science & Technology
Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops the Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organisations?
- Polity & Governance
Consider the following statements: Statement-I: According to the United Nations’ World Water Development Report, 2022’, India extracts more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year. Statement-II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of the world’s population living in its Territory. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
UPSC Prelims 20181 question
UPSC Prelims 20173 questions
- Environment & Ecology
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. 3. It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- Environment & Ecology
Consider the following statements in respect of 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 is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- Environment & Ecology
Consider the following statements: 1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of G2O group of countries. 2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
UPSC Prelims 20165 questions
- Environment & Ecology
What is/are the importance/ importances of the ‘United Convention to Combat Desertification’? 1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships 2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portions of financial resources to these regions. 3. It is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating the desertification. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- Environment & Ecology
Consider the following pairs: Terms sometimes seen in the news: Their origin 1. Annex-I Countries: Cartagena Protocol 2. Certified Emissions Reductions: Nagoya Protocol 3. Clean Development Mechanisms: Kyoto Protocol Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- Environment & Ecology
The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
- Environment & Ecology
With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: 1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development. 2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Environment & Ecology
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.
UPSC Prelims 20154 questions
- Environment & Ecology
What is the Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?
- Environment & Ecology
With reference to an organisation known as ‘BirdLife International’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations. 2. The concept of ‘biodiversity hotspots’ originated from this organisation. 3. It identifies the sites known/referred to as ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- Environment & Ecology
With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resource (IUCN) and the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/ are correct? 1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments. 2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments. 3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Conventional does not take the place of national laws. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- Environment & Ecology
Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances?
UPSC Prelims 20142 questions
- Environment & Ecology
With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Environment & Ecology
Consider the following international agreements: 1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. 2. T h e U n i te d N a t i o n s C o nve n t i o n to C o m b a t Desertification. 3. The World Heritage Convention Which of the above has/have a bearing on biodiversity?
