UPSC CSE Prelims
Environmental Reports, Indices & Organizations Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 1 (Statement 2 only)

The World Toilet Organization (WTO) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to improving sanitation and ending the global sanitation crisis through advocacy, awareness, and capacity building.

❌ Statement 1 is Incorrect: The World Toilet Organization is not a United Nations agency. It is an independent international non-profit organization founded in 2001 in Singapore.

✅ Statement 2 is Correct: The organization launched initiatives such as World Toilet Summit, World Toilet College, and played a key role in promoting World Toilet Day to raise awareness about sanitation issues worldwide.

❌ Statement 3 is Incorrect: Its primary role is advocacy, education, networking, and capacity building, not providing grants to countries. Funding sanitation projects is mainly undertaken by governments, development banks, and international agencies.

Short Notes: World Toilet Organization (WTO)

• Established in 2001 in Singapore.

• It is an international non-profit organization, not a UN agency.

• Works to improve global sanitation and hygiene.

• Organizes the World Toilet Summit to discuss sanitation challenges.

• Founded the World Toilet College for sanitation training and capacity building.

• Instrumental in advocating for World Toilet Day (19 November).

• Focuses on awareness, advocacy, partnerships, and knowledge sharing.

• Supports the achievement of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — The International Union for Conservation of Nature

The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is a global network of scientific and policy experts on invasive species, organized under the auspices of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The ISSG develops and maintains the Global Invasive Species Database, which is a comprehensive resource on alien and invasive species that threaten biodiversity and ecosystems worldwide.

📝 Short Notes: IUCN and Its Specialist Groups

• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Founded in 1948, it is the world's oldest and largest global environmental organization, working on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
• Species Survival Commission (SSC): The largest of IUCN's six commissions, comprising over 10,000 experts organized into ~160 Specialist Groups focused on various species and conservation issues.
• Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG): Established in 1994, it aims to reduce threats to natural ecosystems and native species by increasing awareness of invasive alien species and providing tools for prevention and management.
• Global Invasive Species Database: Maintained by ISSG, it contains information on over 1,000 invasive species, including their ecology, distribution, impacts, and management strategies.
• IUCN Red List: Another major IUCN initiative that assesses the conservation status of species globally, widely recognized as the most comprehensive inventory of biological diversity.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 1, 3 and 4 only

This question tests knowledge about global climate initiatives and organizations. Statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct as they accurately describe The Climate Group's nature, EP100's objectives, and Indian corporate participation. Statements 2 and 5 are incorrect regarding the partnerships and secretariat roles.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Climate Group is indeed an international non-profit organization founded in 2004 that drives climate action by building large networks of businesses, governments, and regional authorities across multiple offices globally.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: EP100 is a global initiative led by The Climate Group in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy, not the International Energy Agency (IEA).

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: EP100 brings together leading companies committed to improving energy productivity, driving innovation in energy efficiency, and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.

✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Several Indian companies including Mahindra & Mahindra (first Indian member), Dalmia Cement, and UltraTech Cement are members of EP100.

❌ Statement 5 – Incorrect: The Climate Group, not the International Energy Agency, serves as the Secretariat to the Under2 Coalition—a global community of state and regional governments committed to limiting global temperature rise below 2°C.

📝 Short Notes: Global Climate Initiatives & Organizations

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — 1, 2, and 4

The New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) is a voluntary political declaration endorsed at the 2014 UN Climate Summit. It sets a global timeline to cut natural forest loss in half by 2020 and end it by 2030, with endorsement from governments, major corporations, and indigenous communities. However, it is not legally binding and India has not endorsed it.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The NYDF was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in New York in September 2014.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: It endorses a global timeline aiming to halve deforestation by 2020 and end natural forest loss by 2030.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The NYDF is a voluntary political declaration, not a legally binding international treaty.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: It is endorsed by a multi-stakeholder coalition including governments, companies, civil society organizations, and indigenous communities (over 190 endorsers).
❌ Statement 5 – Incorrect: India is not among the signatories/endorsers of the New York Declaration on Forests.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct

The question tests knowledge about the Tree City of the World recognition program and the specific case of Hyderabad. Statement 1 incorrectly attributes the recognition to UNCDF (United Nations Capital Development Fund) and Arbor Day Foundation, while in reality it is a joint program by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation. Statement 2 correctly identifies Hyderabad's commitment to urban forestry as the basis for its recognition.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Tree City of the World recognition is a joint initiative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation, not UNCDF and Arbor Day Foundation.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Hyderabad was indeed recognized as a 2020 Tree City of the World for its commitment to growing and maintaining urban forests.

📝 Short Notes: Tree City of the World Programme

• Organizing Bodies: Joint initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation
• Purpose: Recognition program to honor cities and towns committed to ensuring urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed, and duly celebrated
• Recognition Criteria: Cities must demonstrate (1) Establish Responsibility, (2) Set the Rules, (3) Know What You Have, (4) Allocate Resources, and (5) Celebrate Achievements
• Indian Cities Recognized (2020): Hyderabad was among the first Indian cities to receive this recognition
• Significance: Promotes urban forestry as an essential component of healthy, sustainable cities and encourages tree planting and maintenance in urban areas

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 only

The Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA) is a voluntary multi-stakeholder platform that does not impose binding obligations on its members. Only statement 2 is correct, while statements 1 and 3 contain factual errors regarding GACSA's origins and India's role.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: GACSA was launched in 2014 at the UN Climate Summit in New York, not at the Paris Climate Summit in 2015.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: GACSA is a voluntary partnership platform, and membership does not create any legally binding obligations for its members.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: GACSA was launched by the Netherlands, FAO, and other countries at the UN Climate Summit in New York; India was not instrumental in its creation.

📝 Short Notes: Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA)

• Launch: September 2014 at UN Climate Summit, New York
• Initiators: Netherlands, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), and other partner countries
• Nature: Voluntary, multi-stakeholder platform with no binding legal obligations
• Objective: Promote Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) to enhance food security, adapt to climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Membership: Open to governments, international organizations, civil society, private sector, and research institutions
• Three Pillars of CSA: (1) Sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes, (2) Adapt and build resilience to climate change, (3) Reduce greenhouse gas emissions where possible
• India's Position: India has been cautious about GACSA and has not been a founding or leading member; concerns relate to potential impacts on smallholder farmers

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — The UNFCCC Secretariat

The "Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now" initiative was launched by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat in 2015 to encourage individuals, businesses, and governments to take voluntary action towards climate neutrality. In 2016, Climate Neutral Now became a new pillar under the broader "Momentum for Change" initiative, which highlights and promotes successful climate action worldwide.

📝 Short Notes: Climate Neutral Now Initiative

• Launch: Launched by UNFCCC Secretariat in 2015 to promote voluntary climate action towards climate neutrality
• Three-Step Process: (1) Measure climate footprint (greenhouse gas emissions), (2) Reduce emissions through sustainable practices and efficiency improvements, (3) Offset unavoidable emissions using UN-certified emission reductions (CERs)
• Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now was integrated as a pillar under the broader "Momentum for Change" initiative in 2016
• Target Audience: Individuals, companies, and governments worldwide
• Alignment: Supports Paris Agreement goals by fostering accountability and proactive engagement in climate action
• Recognition: Part of UNFCCC's efforts to showcase and scale up innovative climate solutions globally

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 only

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) was launched in 2012 by UNEP and six founding countries (Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States), not exclusively by the G20. It has since expanded to include over 160 partners worldwide. The CCAC specifically targets Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) that have significant warming potential but remain in the atmosphere for shorter periods than CO₂.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: CCAC is not a unique initiative of the G20; it was launched by UNEP and six countries and has grown into a global coalition with diverse membership beyond G20.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The CCAC's primary focus is on reducing methane (CH₄), black carbon (BC), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent short-lived climate pollutants.

Detailed Explanation:

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: BNHS is an independent, non-governmental organization founded in 1883, not an autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: BNHS Mission is conservation of nature, primarily biological diversity, through action-based research, education, and public awareness.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: BNHS organizes and conducts nature trails, camps, and field trips for the general public to promote wildlife awareness and conservation.