Identify the features associated with Kyoto Protocol. (A) Heavier burden on developed countries to cut down greenhouse gas emissions. (B) International emissions trading. (C) Nationally determined contributions. (D) Clean Development Mechanism. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Understanding the Kyoto Protocol Features
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that extends the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that global warming is occurring and that human-made CO₂ emissions are driving it. The Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005.
Let's examine the features listed in the question to determine which are associated with the Kyoto Protocol:
Analysis of Given Features
- (A) Heavier burden on developed countries to cut down greenhouse gas emissions: This is a core principle of the Kyoto Protocol. It operates under the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities," placing binding emission reduction targets primarily on developed countries (Annex I parties), acknowledging their historical contribution to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
- (B) International emissions trading: This is one of the flexible market mechanisms established by the Kyoto Protocol. It allows countries that have emission units to spare (emissions permitted but not used) to sell this excess capacity to countries that are over their targets. This helps countries meet their commitments more cost-effectively.
- (C) Nationally determined contributions: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are the heart of the Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015 as the successor to the Kyoto Protocol. Under the Paris Agreement, each country determines and plans its own contribution to mitigating climate change. NDCs are not a feature of the Kyoto Protocol framework.
- (D) Clean Development Mechanism: This is another one of the Kyoto Protocol's flexible market mechanisms. The CDM allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries (non-Annex B Parties). Such projects can earn certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO₂, which the Annex B Party can use to meet its Kyoto target.
Identifying Kyoto Protocol Features
Based on the analysis:
- Feature (A) - Heavier burden on developed countries - is associated with the Kyoto Protocol.
- Feature (B) - International emissions trading - is associated with the Kyoto Protocol.
- Feature (C) - Nationally determined contributions - is not associated with the Kyoto Protocol; it belongs to the Paris Agreement.
- Feature (D) - Clean Development Mechanism - is associated with the Kyoto Protocol.
Therefore, the features associated with the Kyoto Protocol are A, B, and D.
Matching with the Options
We are looking for the option that lists A, B, and D.
- Option 1: A, B, and C Only (Incorrect, includes C)
- Option 2: B, C and D Only (Incorrect, includes C and misses A)
- Option 3: A, B and D Only (Correct)
- Option 4: A, C and D Only (Incorrect, includes C and misses B)
The correct answer is the one listing A, B, and D.
Summary Table of Features
| Feature | Associated with Kyoto Protocol? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| (A) Heavier burden on developed countries | Yes | Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) |
| (B) International emissions trading | Yes | One of the flexible mechanisms |
| (C) Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) | No | Feature of the Paris Agreement |
| (D) Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) | Yes | One of the flexible mechanisms |
Revision Table: Key Climate Agreements
| Agreement | Key Features |
|---|---|
| UNFCCC (1992) | Framework for addressing climate change; aims to stabilize GHG concentrations; non-binding targets. |
| Kyoto Protocol (1997) | Binding emission reduction targets for developed (Annex I) countries; flexible mechanisms (ET, CDM, JI); entered into force in 2005. |
| Paris Agreement (2015) | Universal agreement (nearly all countries); aims to limit global warming below 2°C (preferably 1.5°C); Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); global stocktake; transparency framework. |
Additional Information: Flexible Mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol introduced three market-based mechanisms to help countries meet their emission targets flexibly and cost-effectively:
- International Emissions Trading (ET): Allows Annex B countries to trade assigned amounts of emissions. Countries below their target can sell excess units to countries above their target.
- Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): Allows Annex B countries to implement emission-reduction projects in non-Annex B (developing) countries and earn credits (CERs) that can be used towards their targets.
- Joint Implementation (JI): Allows Annex B countries to implement emission-reduction projects in other Annex B countries and earn emission reduction units (ERUs) towards their targets.
These mechanisms aimed to achieve overall global emission reductions at the lowest possible cost by allowing reductions to happen where they are cheapest.
Important Questions from Basics of Environment
The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 seeks to implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Which of the following statements is correct about CITES?
1. CITES is an agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in the specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.
2. Under CITES, plant and animal specimens are classified into five categories based on the threat to their extinction.
3. The Convention requires countries to regulate the trade of all listed specimens through permits.
4. It also seeks to regulate the possession of live animal specimens.
Given below are two statements : One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Green hydrogen production will be critical for world community to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2050.
Reason (R): The energy content of hydrogen gas is much higher than that of coal.
In the light of the above statements. choose the correct answer from the options given below :
For drinking and irrigation purposes, the availability of suitable water out of earth’s total water supplies is about less than
Permafrost is defining characteristic of which biome?
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Some microorganisms, especially protozoan, are able to survive conventional disinfection process.
Statement II: Some carcinogens, such as chloroform, are created during chlorination process.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
